Brochures – Standard or Large Format?

When designing and printing a brochure, most people think of the standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch format. While this is a popular and widely recognized brochure printing size, larger formats can give you more options when it comes to designing your next brochure. Use the following guide to help you decide if a larger brochure is right for your message:

What are some of the larger size options available?

8.5-inch by 14-inch 11-inch by 17-inch 11-inch by 25.5-inch

What folding options are available on larger brochures?

Larger brochures typically offer the same folding options as the standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch size, but because they are larger, the panels are also wider or there are more panels available. Large-format brochures also offer two additional folding options — double-parallel fold and right-angle half-fold. The folding options could include the following: Half-fold — This allows a much larger area for uninterrupted graphics and text, so your designs can be big and bold to grab customer attention. Letter-fold — This fold makes the brochure small enough to mail easily and has several smaller panels. Z-fold — This would give you a few wider panels to work with. Right-angle half-fold — Available on 11-inch by 17-inch and 11-inch by 25.5-inch, this fold basically entails folding the brochure in half from top to bottom, then folding it again to maximize panels. This is a useful way to easily separate important points and concepts in your design. Double-parallel fold — Available on 8.5-inch by 14-inch brochures, this fold is the paper folded in half length-wise and then folded in half length-wise again. It is a great way to slowly reveal your message through a successive series of panels. No fold — This would give you a very large, uninterrupted layout that would actually be more like a flyer.

Why might large-format brochure printing be a better choice?

Large-format brochures allow you to include more detailed information about your company, product or services. With more room in the brochure, you can include bigger photos or more of them, which might be especially helpful if you want to show multiple products on one page for a side-by-side comparison such as various hardwood flooring options. Going big and bold never hurts, especially when a swarm of competitors are just waiting to take your business. Large-format brochures are not only better at grabbing attention through their atypical size and potential design elements, they add a touch of professionalism because lesser companies can't afford to print them (this is a common misconception, because large format is just as economical and can provide more bang for the buck).

Are larger brochures more expensive?

More paper means that it will cost more per brochure, but when you consider how much more space you get to go into detail about your product or services, the price per square inch on larger brochures is comparable to the standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch format. A larger brochure will also make more of an impact and will be easier for your clients to hold on to.

Is a large brochure right for you?

If you want to get more for your money, consider making your next brochure larger than the well-known standard format. You will get clients' attention by the unusual size, be able to include more detailed information about your company, services or products with the extra room, and allow clients to see more photos or graphics. In addition, if the right fold and paper stock options are chosen, you can do some truly creative things (such as a half-fold large-format brochure doubling as a menu). When you get right down to it, bigger is better in our society. If you want your company to appear larger-than-life, you need to use large-format brochures as part of your print marketing efforts.