Saturday, April 24, 2021

Standard & International Brochure Formats and Dimensions

Standard & International Brochure Formats and Dimensions
Final product image
What You'll Be Creating

Choosing a brochure size can be confusing. If you're working on a marketing campaign, creating an impact on a potential client is important. Whether you are a designer or not, this brochure dimensions guide is essential in helping you choose your next business strategy.

In this article, you’ll find the most frequently used brochure sizes internationally (ISO 216) and the US and Canada (ANSI) standard brochure sizes. We also list the most typical types of brochure folds. This will dictate how your customers navigate the brochure and how you will organize the information.

Once you’ve decided on a size and fold, it is time to get designing! You’ll find links to a selection of our tutorials at the end of this article on how to make a brochure. Don’t have time to design? We also list some top brochure templates from Envato Elements and different types of brochures from GraphicRiver, so we've got you covered! 

International Brochure Printing Sizes

A4 (210 x 297 mm)

Customers are most familiar with this. It's one of the most common types of brochure. The brochure A4 design is a flat open A3 paper folded in half. This brochure size allows you to pack in a good amount of information, photos, and graphics. It is simple and straightforward, and it'll get the job done.

A4 210 x 297 mm

A5 (148 x 210 mm)

An A5 brochure is an A4 page size folded in half. This type of brochure is compact, and it's perfect if you are providing only key information. This brochure size has enough room to still get creative and make something visually striking.

A5 148 x 210 mm

A3 (297 x 420 mm)

A3 brochures aren't as common because the printing costs can rise very quickly. On the other hand, this size can create a visual impact and make it perfect for displaying multiple images or large images. 

A3 297 x 420 mm

DL (99 x 210 mm)

DL stands for 'Dimension Lengthwise.' Types of brochure like this refer to an A4 sheet, folded lengthwise twice to create three panels. Also known as the trifold brochure size, this brochure size is perfect for menus and mail campaigns because it fits into a DL envelope.

DL 99 x 210 mm

Square (210 x 210 mm, size varies depending on printing house)

Square brochures are not as common, but these types of brochures are great if you want to stand out and create something different. The product can feel premium when you are using an abnormal brochure size. Always talk to your printing house to hear what they offer—they might be able to help you out during the process.

Square 210 x 210 mm

Standard US and Canada Brochure Printing Sizes

Letter (8.5 x 11 in)

A Letter brochure size is the sister of the A4 size—it is slightly wider and shorter. This standard brochure size is a Tabloid paper size folded in half. This brochure provides a balanced area of body and images. 

Letter 85 x 11 in

Legal (8.5 x 14 in)

If your design looks too crammed on a Letter size, the legal size brochure is here to the rescue. It is slightly taller than the Letter size, while maintaining the width. You can use this size as half-fold, trifold, or a four-panel brochure. You'll get different types of brochures in one.

Legal 85 x 14 in

Half Letter (8.5 x 5.5 in)

Also called memo, this is the smallest standard brochure size. If you want to focus on specific products or services—while keeping costs low—this brochure size is for you.

Half Letter 85 x 55 in

Tabloid (11 x 17 in)

This brochure size is similar to A3. It is not as common as other sizes but has a strong visual impact if you are using it as it is. If folded, you can use it as a bifold, trifold, or four-panel brochure. You'll get many types of brochure folds.

Tabloid 11 x 17 in

Square (8 x 8 in, size varies depending on printing house)

This unusual brochure size makes the design stand out. The square brochure can instantly have a premium feel when handed to customers. This size varies depending on the printing house, so it's best to contact them to see what’s possible. 

Square 8 x 8 in

Most Common Fold Types

Now we'll talk about the different types of brochure folds. There are five main brochure folds, each of them with different characteristics. Let's go!

Bifold

This is one most popular types of brochure folds—it is a sheet folded in half. When open, it presents the reader with two main panels. This one fold brochure size is simple and quick to produce and fold. 

Bifold

Trifold

This fold divides the sheet of paper into three. The trifold brochure size produces a slimmer brochure that's easier to carry around. The panels fold on top of each other, usually the left panel over the center and the right panel on top. The trifold brochure provides a total of six equally divided panels, which can be tricky to set up (we've got a tutorial on that!), but it provides enough real estate to present your idea.  

Trifold

Z-Fold

This is another of the popular types of brochure folds, containing six equal panels that fold like an accordion. With this layout, you can create a design that spreads across all three panels on each side. This is perfect for displaying large imagery. 

Z-fold

Gatefold

A gatefold is a sheet of paper with a center panel as wide as the side panels. These side panels fold inwards, meeting in the middle. Because of the unique opening style, this type of brochure fold is perfect if you want to highlight a product or service in the center panel. 

Gate Fold

Roll-Fold

A roll-fold brochure has four panels that each roll into each other. Since this brochure folds into itself, the panels need to be adjusted individually to allow for a perfect fold. This type of brochure fold is great for information that has structure, say a guide or handbook. 

Roll Fold

10 Premium Brochure Templates From Envato Elements

Not ready to design your own brochure yet? Not a problem! Below, we’ve compiled a few professional brochure templates from Envato Elements. These are quick and easy to customize, and did I mention print-ready too?

1. National Park Brochure A5 (INDD)

This bifold brochure template is perfect if you want to promote a business or a place. It features a modern and minimalist design with 12 landscape pages. The bifold brochure template is easy to customize in InDesign. 

  • Size: A5
  • Fold type: bifold
National Park Brochure A5 (INDD)
National Park Brochure A5

2. Set of Brochures: Stationery Pack (AI, EPS, INDD, PSD)

This is the most complete stationery set we've got. If you're looking to renew your brand or business identity, this is for you. The set comes in standard brochure sizes and includes a bifold brochure template, a trifold brochure template, a flyer template, and a business card.

  • Size: A4, US Letter, A5, Half Letter
  • Fold type: bifold, trifold
Set of Brochures - Stationery Pack (AI, EPS, INDD, PSD)
Set of Brochures - Stationery Pack

3. Corporate Bifold Brochure (PSD)

Bring your business to life with this easily editable bifold brochure template. This print-ready multipurpose brochure is available in Letter and A4 sizes. The one fold brochure size template also contains free icons on the interior and free fonts. Perfect to take your business to the next level.

  • Size: A4, US Letter
  • Fold type: bifold 
Brochure – Corporate Bi-Fold (PSD)
Corporate Bifold Brochure

4. Travel Agency Trifold Brochure Template (PSD)

Trying to get your customers to take a vacation? This trifold brochure template is perfect to display beautiful large landscapes. Minimal, simple, and straightforward. Sometimes that's all you need! 

  • Size: A4, US Letter
  • Fold type: trifold 
Brochure – Travel Agency Trifold
Travel Agency Trifold

5. Square Trifold Brochure 02 (INDD)

Looking to stand out amongst your customers? Try this square catalogue size template—perfect if you are looking to display big images. This square brochure is compatible with InDesign and print-ready. It is all ready for you to drop in your images and send it off to the presses!

  • Size: Square
  • Fold type: trifold 
Square Trifold Brochure
Square Trifold Brochure

6. Trifold Brochure Template 02 (AI, EPS, PSD)

This professional trifold brochure template is perfect for your business. Simply add your own copy and images and, if you'd like, adapt the colors to go with your brand. This trifold brochure is print-ready and compatible with Photoshop.

  • Size: A4
  • Fold type: trifold
Tri Fold Brochure Template
Trifold Brochure Template 02

7. Business Marketing 4-Fold Brochure (PSD)

If you need something slightly bigger than a trifold, here's a four-panel brochure. This legal size brochure folds out to a DL brochure and is already set up for US dimensions too! It comes with free fonts, icons, and unlimited colors.

  • Size: DL, Legal
  • Fold type: roll fold
Brochure – Business Marketing 4-Fold
Business Marketing 4-Fold Brochure

8. Square Gate Fold Brochure (PSD)

Looking to make an impact? This square brochure gatefold is perfect if you want to highlight information in the center. This square catalogue size brochure is Photoshop compatible and measures 210 x 210 mm. 

  • Size: Square
  • Fold type: gatefold
Square Gatefold Brochure
Square Gate Fold Brochure

9. Roofer: Bifold Brochure Template (PSD, INDD)

Take advantage of the size of this bifold brochure template. You can add plenty of information and images in this type of bifold brochure. This brochure is multipurpose and easy to customize in Photoshop and InDesign.

  • Size: A3, US Tabloid
  • Fold type: bifold 
Roofer - Bifold Brochure Template (PSD, INDD)
Roofer - Bifold Brochure Template

10. Bifold Brochure A3 (PSD)

This is another useful bifold brochure template. This one fold brochure size template comes with four colors and it's print-ready CMYK 300 DPI.

  • Size: A3
  • Fold type: bifold
Bifold Brochure A3
Bifold Brochure A3

Explore More Types of Brochure Templates and Resources

Deciding on a brochure size and fold can be complicated, but it shouldn't be. This guide has given you the basics you need to consider when you are planning your next marketing campaign.

If you are an avid Photoshop or InDesign user, we've also compiled a list of brochure templates that can help you out. If you would like to explore more template ideas, you can find many customizable brochures and flyers over at Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. Check it out!

If you are ready to design your very own brochure, take a look at some of our tutorials below on how to make a brochure. They are perfect to get you started! 

If you liked this tutorial, you might like these:


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