HOW TO MAKE A TRIFOLD BROCHURE Lorenzo Andreani

How to Make a Trifold Brochure

What You'll Be Creating

Trifold brochures can be an excellent tool for getting information to people in an easy-to-use,
eye-catching way. In this tutorial, I will show you how to make a brochure template in Adobe
InDesign CC. This versatile brochure template will allow you to change the information as
you need.

A trifold brochure is a page containing three panels per side for a total of six panels inside
and outside of a brochure. Two of the panels are the same width, while one panel is slightly
narrower to accommodate the roll fold.

We will be creating a file with six pages and altering the Master Pages later on. This
approach will allow us to easily move panels on a template when necessary. We will also be
able to make a PDF with crop marks, which will indicate the position of the folds. Do make
sure to indicate this to the printer to avoid any mistakes.

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1. Setting Up a Trifold Brochure File in Adobe InDesign

A common trifold dimension when open flat is letter size or A4. We will be using a letter size
page for this tutorial, but feel free to use an A4 page if you prefer. As trifold brochure
dimensions will vary depending on your needs, I’ve created an equation chart that you can
follow below:

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Step 1

The trifold brochure size for this tutorial is a letter page. First, we need to divide the final
width (279.4 mm) by 3 (93.13 mm). To this new width, we need to add a buffer for the fold (1
mm). The width of the two panels is 94.13 mm. Later on, we will modify the size of the
shorter panel. We need to subtract (2 mm) from the panel to accommodate the fold (91.13
mm).

In InDesign, go to File > New. Name the document trifold brochure. Set the trifold
dimensions to the following:

• Width to 94.13 mm
• Height to 215.9 mm
• Units to Millimetres
• Orientation to Portrait
• Uncheck Facing Pages
• Pages to 6
• Margins to 10 mm
• Bleeds to 3 mm (although it's best to seek your professional printer’s preference)

Click Create.

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Step 2
A trifold brochure has a flap that folds in; this is a shorter panel. We will create a
second Master Page with this new size.

Head over to the Pages panel. If you don’t have it active, head over to Windows >
Pages. The top portion of the panel contains the Master Pages.

Right-click on A-Master > New Master. In the New Master window, make sure Based on
Master is set to [Master]. Set the Width to 91.13 mm (subtract 2 mm from the 93.13
mm). Click OK.

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Step 3
On the Pages panel, right-click on the B-Master we just created and select Apply
Master. In the Apply Master window, under To Pages enter 1, 6 (this is to specify that we
are changing Pages 1 and 6). Click OK.

In the Master Page Size Conflict window, click Use Master Page Size.

Step 4
Now that we have the page sizes set up, we can move the pages to set up the
spreads. Pages 1-3 will be the outside spread, and Pages 4-6 will be the inside spreads.

On the Main Menu of the Pages panel, make sure that Allow Document Pages to
Shuffle is unchecked. Drag Page 2 towards Page 1 to combine. Combine Pages 1-3 as one
spread and Pages 4-6. Make sure that you have the BAA and AAB Master
Pages configuration.

To exit the Master Pages mode, double-click on the regular pages thumbnail.

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Step 5
For this trifold brochure template tutorial, we will work with two layers. This will make it easier
to update the template when it needs to updated with new information.

Bring up the Layers panel by going to Window > Layers. Double-click on Layer 1 and
rename it Images.

On the Layers panel main menu, select New Layer. Name it Copy, and click OK.

Step 6
We will be using Rulers for this tutorial, so press Command-R to bring them up.

Let’s add some Guides. Head over to Layout > Create Guides. In the Create
Guides option window, set the Rows Number to 3 and the Gutter to 0. Under
the Options, set the Fit Guides to: Page and click OK. Repeat this step on the second
spread.

Show/Hide the guides and margins by pressing Command-;. Alternatively, use W to enter
and exit Preview mode.

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Step 7
Before we start with the design, let’s add some colour swatches. Head over to Window >
Colour > Swatches to expand the Swatches panel. Choose New Colour Swatch button
from the main menu. Add the following two colours:

• Yellow: C=0 M=25 Y=100 K=0. Click Add and OK.

• Blue: C=95 M=95 Y=0 K=30

Click Add and OK after you input each of the colour values.

2. How to Place Images in Adobe InDesign

Step 1
Let’s start by placing images into the document. On the Layers panel, make sure you have
the Images layer selected. We will be working on Page 1-3.

On the Toolbar, select the Frame Tool (F). Using the guides we created, draw frames
covering the following:

• Page 1: full page

• Page 2: lower 1/3 of the page
• Page 3: top 2/3 of the page

I’ve changed the colour for easier guidance. Make sure all the frames extend to the bleed.
This will ensure there are no white edges.

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Step 2
Select the full-page rectangle and press Command-D to Place an image. Select the Modern
architecture image and click Open.

Select the image inside the frame. You can do this by clicking on the donut shape in the
centre of the frame or by selecting the Direct Selection Tool (A) from the toolbar. Head
over to the Control bar, activate the Constrain Proportions for scaling button, and set the
percentage to 45%.

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Step 3
Select the rectangle on Page 2 and press Command-D to Place an image. Select
the Business people image and click Open.

Select the image and head over to the Control bar. Activate the Constrain Proportions for
scaling button and set the percentage to 25%. Try to centre the hands in the frame using
the Direct Selection Tool (A).

Repeat this process for Page 3. Select the Two creative owners image and click Open.

Head over to the Control bar. Activate the Constrain Proportions for scaling button and
set the percentage to 35%. Try to place the focused subject within the margins.

Step 4
You’ll notice that the images we placed have different tones. A great way to fix this is to add
a coloured effect over the top. This is also a great way to apply your brand to the brochure
by choosing colours from your logo.

Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create rectangles over each image. Head over to
the Swatches panel and select the purple colour we added previously.

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Step 5
To apply an effect, bring up the Effects panel. Go to Window > Effects.

Select the rectangle on Page 1. Since we will have text over this image, we need to select
a Blending Mode that will allow the type to be legible. Select Multiply from the drop-down
menu and set the Opacity to 90%.

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Step 6
We need the images on Page 2 and 3 to come through more since they will be standalone
images. Select both rectangles and set the Blending Mode to Colour.

Step 7
Let’s add a contrasting colour to some of the empty sections. This will help to reinforce the
brand on the brochure template. Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a rectangle
covering the top portion of Page 2. Head over to the Swatches panel and select the yellow
colour we added.

Additionally, create a line under the main image on Page 3. Select the Line Tool (\) from the
toolbar. Hold down Shift to draw a straight horizontal line across the panel. Head over to
the Control bar, set the Stroke size to 7 pt, and set the Stroke colour to yellow.

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Step 8
Let’s add a logo to the brochure. Ideally, the logo is placed on the first page and the back of
the design. Press Command-D and select 01_smartnet.eps and 02_smartnet.eps. The file
01 is perfect for the front of the brochure template, and 02 is perfect to go over a coloured
background. Resize both images by going to Control bar and setting the Scaling to 10%.

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Step 9
Let’s work on Pages 4-6. Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a rectangle at the very
top of the pages. Cover the width of the document, making sure it is extended to the bleeds.
On the Control bar, set the Height to 20 mm.

Using the Add Anchor Point Tool (=), add an anchor on the first fold guide. Using
the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the point and move it upwards as much as you’d like.
We are adding some movement to the inside as the exterior is static.
Head over to the Swatches panel, and select the colour yellow.

Step 10
Select the Rectangle Tool (M) from the toolbar. Draw a rectangle that fits Page 4-5 and a
second rectangle that covers Page 6.

Select the first rectangle and set the Height to 100 mm on the Control bar. Select the
second rectangle and set the Height to 120 mm.

Using the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the top inside points of the rectangles and move
both downwards.

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Step 11
Select the left object and press Command-D to Place an image. Select the Young people
brainstorming and click Open. Select the image and head over to the Control bar. Set
the Scale to 10%.

Place an image on the right-hand side object. Select the Businessman working file, and
click Open. Select the image and head over to the Control bar. Set the Scale to 35%.

Let’s apply the same colour effect here as the outside panel. Select both objects and
press Command-C to Copy and Command-V to Paste. Using the Direct Selection Tool
(A), select the image within the object and press Backspace to Delete. Select both objects
and head over to the Swatches panel. Set the colour to purple. On the Effect panel, set
the Blending Mode to Colour.

We’ve finished working on the Images layer, and now it’s time to work on the Copy layer.
Head over to the Layers panel, lock the Images layer, and select the Copy layer.

3. How to Format Type Using Paragraph Styles in Adobe InDesign

Paragraph styles allow us to add formatting attributes to be applied to large amounts of text.
This is useful if you want to maintain the same type settings throughout your design.
Therefore, the styles will keep your template flawless and cohesive. For this tutorial, we will
create two styles: headline and body copy.

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Step 1
Head over to Window > Paragraph Styles. On the Paragraph Styles panel, select
the New Paragraph Style option from the main menu.

In the New Paragraph Style window option, select Basic Character Formats in the left
menu. Set the Style Name to Headline. Use the following settings for Basic Paragraph
Formats options:

• Font Family: Sentral

• Font Style: ExtraBold
• Size: 20 pt
• Tracking: -15

Click OK.

Let’s add a second Paragraph Style. This time, let’s name it Body Copy and use the
following settings for the Basic Character Formats options:

• Font Family: Sentral

• Font Style: Regular
• Size: 10 pt
• Tracking: -5

Click OK.

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Step 2
Let’s work on the first spread, Pages 1-3. Let’s use our new Paragraph Styles. On
the Toolbar, select the Text Tool (T). Create a text box on Page 1.

Add the copy you wish to add. To format the text box, select the headline using the Text
Tool (T) and click on the Headline style from the Paragraph Styles panel. Select the rest of
the body copy and select the Body Copy style from the Paragraph Styles panel.

Select the text box and head over to the Swatches panel. Select the [Paper] colour, which
will make the type legible against the background.

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On Page 2, add a small tagline and contact information, this is great to have on the back of
the template. Set the tagline to the Headline style. When applying a Paragraph Style to a
text box, you can change the format through the Control bar. This will only change the
format on the text box you are selecting and not on the style. Set the contact information
to Body Copy and change the Size to 9 pt on the Control bar.
On the Swatches panel, select the colour purple for both elements.

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Page 3 is the front of the brochure, so add a headline here that describes the information
inside. Set the format to Headline style from the Paragraph Style panel. Using the same
method as before, select the first line and head over to the Control bar. Change
the Family to Regular. This small detail can add something special that will set this headline
apart from the rest of the content.

On the Swatches panel, select the colour purple.

Step 3
Let’s work on the inside panels. On the Layers panel, select Pages 4-6.

Using the Text Tool (T), create a text box on all three pages. With the help of
the Paragraph Styles, format the contents.

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Let’s add some vectors on Page 5. Open the 150 Line icons 1.ai file on Adobe
Illustrator. Press Command-G to Ungroup the icons. Select the first three icons from the
first row. Press Command-C to Copy.

Head back into Adobe InDesign and press Command-V to Paste the icons.
Press Command-G to Ungroup the objects. On the Swatches panel, set the color to
yellow.

Head over to the Control bar and activate the Constrain Proportions button. Set
the Width to 13 mm. Move the icons to the left side within the margins of Page 5.

To make space for each icon, we can use the Text Wrap option. Go to Window > Text
Wrap to open the panel. Select all three icons and select the Wrap around bounding
box button. Set the Bottom Offset to 6 mm and the Right Offset to 3 mm.

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Using the Swatches panel, set the sub-heading color to yellow. This will make it easier for
the reader to distinguish this section from the regular copy.

Let’s work on Page 6. Use the Paragraph Styles to format the text.

A great tip when working with bullet points is to use hanging punctuations. This means that
the lines after the first line are indented and aligned to the first line (vertically). Avoiding
having any text under the bullet point makes for a sharper design.

To do this, we can add an Indent to Here special character by pressing Command-\ after
the bullet point. To see if this is activated, head over to Type > Show Hidden
Characters. The Indent to Here should be shown as a dagger.

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4. How to Export a PDF File for Printing

Before exporting a file for printing, it's useful to take a look around all the edges of the
brochure. This is to make sure all the images and vectors bleeding out are touching the
bleeds. Press W to go between Preview mode and Normal mode.

Remember that each fold will be represented by a crop mark. Let your professional printer
know to avoid confusion. It is also helpful to ask for a printer's proof to make sure the project
is printed correctly.

Step 1
To export the file, go to File > Export. Name the file trifold brochure and choose Adobe
PDF (Print) from the Format drop-down menu. Click Save.

Step 2
In the Export Adobe PDF window, set the Adobe PDF Preset to Press
Quality. Under Pages, select Export As Spreads.

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On the left side of the panel, select Marks and Bleeds. Check All Printer’s Marks and Use
Document Bleed Settings. Click Export. You will have a ready-to-print PDF file.

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Great Job! You’ve Finished This Tutorial!

In this tutorial, we learned how to make a trifold brochure template that's ready to print. This
brochure is easy to use and edit to any branding guidelines. Today, we’ve learned to:

• Set up a ready-to-print brochure template in Adobe InDesign.

• Design and properly set up a letter size brochure.
• Create Master Pages and Layers.
• Place images and use blending modes.
• Use the Paragraph Styles panel to format typography.
• Use vectors and format shapes.
• Export a ready-to-print brochure template PDF file.

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