Brochures

We recommend that you observe the following design best practices to achieve color accuracy for your brochure:

• Create your design file using the CMYK color mode, which is the appropriate color mode for printed materials. If you find that your design file is set to RGB, convert it to CMYK first before sending it to your printer.
• Use ICC color profiles when designing. These profiles help translate colors correctly between your screen and the printing press.
• Calibrate your monitor regularly. Screen brightness, contrast, and color settings can affect how colors appear during proofing and a calibrated monitor helps ensure your design's colors are as accurate as possible.
• Review digital proofs carefully. However, note that doing it using a an electronic screen means you're viewing it in an RGB environment, which is not an exact representation of the final printed color.
• Request a hard copy proof if you want to see how the colors will actually look. This printed sample of your artwork lets you verify the colors before the full print run.

Expect slight color variation between your screen and the final print. Screens display colors using light (RGB), while printed colors are created using ink (CMYK), which can appear slightly duller or darker.

• Use high-resolution images with a minimum of 300 dpi and text elements with a minimum 400 dpi. Note that images and text of higher dpi help improve image quality but they also increase the file size, which may affect transmission between you and your printer.
• Match image size to print size. Don't enlarge small images as scaling up can cause pixelation.
• Use original images whenever possible, rather than screenshots or images downloaded from the web.
• Export your design as print-ready PDF with high-quality or press-quality settings.
• Review proofs at 100% zoom. Zooming the view beyond 100% may make images appear, while viewing it at 100% will give you an accurate picture of what your prints will look like .

Please be guided by the following reminders to minimize print defectson your brochure and achieve a professional print finish.

• Use high-quality, thick paper stock because these are less prone to cracking and tearing compared to thin, low-quality paper. You can rest assured that all of our paper stock and cardstocks are high-quality and deliver excellent print results.
• Brochures made with thicker cardstocks (10 pt. or higher) undergo scoring before folding. Scoring creates a crease in the paper for easier and more seamless folding and helps prevent the paper from cracking.
• Design folds carefully. Allow a safe margin near folds and avoid placing heavy ink or critical design elements along fold lines.
• Observe trim and bleed guidelines. Including proper bleeds and margins helps prevent smudging or misalignment. We require a 1/8" (0.125") bleed on all sides of your artwork and a 1/8" safe zone inside the trim line to ensure important elements are not cut off.

• Set your artwork or design to the final trim size before designing. For example, if your brochure is 8.5” x 11”, set your canvas to that exact size.
• Use proper bleed and margin settings. The bleed should typically extend 0.125” (1/8”) beyond the trim edge to prevent white borders, while important text and images should be kept at least 0.125” inside the trim line to avoid being cut off.
• Use design templates when possible. Brochure design templates for bifold, trifold, or other fold types help maintain proper panel sizes and alignment.
• Double-check fold lines and panels. Ensure text and graphics don’t cross fold lines unless intentionally designed to do so.
• Export your file as a print-ready PDF, and make sure the PDF matches the dimensions of your final brochure.

If you want your brochures to feel sturdy and look professional, use these guidelines when choosing paper stock:

• Pick the right paper weight. The recommended paper stock for brochures is between 80 lb. and 100 lb. These are sturdy paper stocks, they fold well, and they have a substantial feel that will make your brochure appear premium. You can also use thin cardstocks (10 pt. or 14 pt.) such as those used for printing postcards or business cards for a more supple brochure.
• Select the appropriate finish for your brochure. A gloss finish provides a shine that makes photos and colors pop, giving your brochure a high-quality feel. Meanwhile, matte or silk finishes offer a smooth, non-reflective, refined look, making text easier to read. These two are popular with brochures that are heavy on both text and images. Uncoated finishes have a natural, textured feel, which is ideal if you need to write on the brochure, though they appear less formal.
• Consider your brochure folds. Our machines can easily fold most paper stocks. If you're printing your brochure using thicker cardstocks (10 pt. or higher), we will add scoring to the paper to create a crease and prevent it cracking once it's folded.

Achieve proper brochure folds and correct alignment with these tips:

• Use a design template. Brochure design templates by your printer or design software have pre-configured panel widths for proper nesting (e.g., in a trifold, the inner panel is slightly shorter).
• Set correct margins and bleeds. Include a proper bleed of 0.125” (1/8”) beyond the trim edge to prevent white borders, and keep important text and images at least 0.125” inside the trim line to avoid being cut off.
• Pay attention to the layout. Avoid placing critical text or images directly on fold lines. Arrange content logically so panels flow well when opened.
• Check panel proportions. Ensure each panel is sized correctly for the fold type, especially if you're creating a trifold or Z-fold brochure.
• Print a test copy. Always do a test print on standard paper and fold it to verify alignment and content placement before approving the full print run.