# A brochure design checklist: from layout to print-ready file

> A good brochure has a clear reading order, a strong cover and room to breathe, and a file the printer can use without changes. Set up the document with about 3 mm of bleed, keep text inside a safe margin, use images of about 300 dpi at final size, work in CMYK for print and export a PDF to your printer's specification. Ask the printer for their requirements before you start.

By LAIN, 7 Jan 2026. 6 min read. Category: Graphic design. Canonical: https://lainagency.com/resources/print-brochure-design-checklist

A brochure is read in the hand. It is held, turned and opened, and it can be as quick or as slow as the reader chooses. That makes it a design problem with two halves: how it reads, and how it prints. Get the first right and the second wrong, and a beautiful design arrives from the printer with cut-off text and dull colour.

This checklist covers both, in the order we work.

## Decide what the brochure is for
Write down one sentence: **who reads this, in what situation, and what should they do afterwards?** A brochure left on a reception desk, handed over after a meeting or mailed to a list reads differently. The answer decides the length, the tone and the call to action.

Then choose the format: the page size, the number of pages (print pages come in multiples, usually of four for stitched booklets) and the fold, such as a single sheet folded into three. Check the printer's available sizes and papers before designing, because they limit what is practical.

## Plan the story before the pages
List the content, then sort it into a sequence:

1. **Cover:** the brand, a strong image or headline and nothing else.
2. **Opening spread:** who you are and why it matters, in a few sentences.
3. **The core:** what you offer, projects, products or services, one idea per page or spread.
4. **Proof:** examples, figures you can stand behind, testimonials.
5. **Next step:** how to get in touch, with a clear call to action.
6. **Back cover:** contact details, address and the logo.

![A page diagram showing the bleed, the trim edge and the safe margin.](https://lainagency.com/images/blog-art/brochure-bleed.webp)

## Build a clear hierarchy
Readers scan before they read. Make the order obvious:

- **Three levels of type:** headings, subheadings and body text, with clear differences in size and weight.
- **One focal point per page or spread.** If everything is emphasised, nothing is.
- **Body text around 9 to 11 points** for print is typical, depending on the typeface and the reader. Test a printed page, not the screen.
- **Short lines and generous leading.** Dense text blocks are tiring.
- **Use white space.** Margins and gaps are what make a brochure feel premium.

Use the [typefaces and colours from your brand guidelines](https://lainagency.com/resources/choosing-brand-colours-and-fonts), and keep the grid consistent from page to page.

## Images and graphics
- **Resolution:** print images need about **300 dpi at the size they will be printed**. A photograph that looks fine on a screen can be too small for a full page.
- **Do not enlarge small images.** Use a bigger original or choose another picture.
- **Use vector files for logos and icons** so they stay sharp. See [logo file formats](https://lainagency.com/resources/logo-file-formats-guide).
- **Check usage rights** for every photograph and font.
- **Keep a consistent treatment**: the same style of crop, colour grade or framing.

## Colour for print
Screens mix light, and printers mix ink, so colours change between them.

- **Work in CMYK** for print, the colour model that matches how printers mix cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Many design apps start in RGB, so convert at the start and check the colours.
- **Expect bright screen colours to look duller.** Very saturated greens, oranges and blues can fall outside what CMYK can reproduce.
- **Use the print values** from your brand guidelines, or spot (Pantone) colours if your printer and budget allow it.
- **Beware of rich black and large dark areas.** Ask your printer how to set black text and big black backgrounds.
- **Order a proof** for important jobs. A printed proof is the only reliable way to check colour.

## Set up the file: size, bleed and safe margin
This is where most print problems start.

| Setting | What it is | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Trim size | The finished size of the page | Your chosen format |
| Bleed | Artwork that extends past the trim edge so no white shows after cutting | About 3 mm (1/8 inch) on every side |
| Safe margin | The area inside the trim where text and key content must stay | About 3 to 5 mm inside the trim, more for folded or bound brochures |
| Resolution | Image detail | About 300 dpi at final size |
| Colour mode | How colour is defined | CMYK |

Printers differ, so confirm their numbers. Their file guide overrides general advice. Extend backgrounds and images into the bleed, keep text and logos inside the safe margin and keep text away from folds and the spine.

## Check before you send
Run through this list, preferably with a fresh pair of eyes:

1. **Proofread** every word, phone number, email address and web address. Read it aloud.
2. **Check the links and QR codes**, and make sure a QR code is large enough to scan when printed.
3. **Fonts embedded or outlined**, and licences checked for print.
4. **Images linked or embedded** at the right resolution.
5. **Bleed included**, safe margins respected.
6. **Colours in CMYK** and rich black handled as the printer requires.
7. **Page order and count** correct, with pages in multiples the binding needs.
8. **Overprint and transparency settings** checked.

## Export the PDF
Send what the printer asks for, which is usually a **PDF**. For many printers, PDF/X-1a is the safest choice, since it requires CMYK colours and embedded fonts. Export with bleed included, add crop marks if the printer wants them and name the file clearly. If you are not sure, send the printer your PDF and ask them to run a pre-flight check before printing.

## After printing
When the brochures arrive, check a sample from the box: colours, trim, folds and text. If you plan more prints, keep the master file, the export settings and the printer's specification together, so the next run is identical.

## Working with LAIN
[Graphic design](https://lainagency.com/about#graphic-design) projects at LAIN, such as brochures, company profiles and decks, typically take 2 to 4 weeks. We design the layout, prepare the print-ready files and organise the final package. To start, [send us a brief](https://lainagency.com/contact) with what the brochure is for and who will read it.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is bleed in print design?

Bleed is artwork that extends past the trim edge, usually about 3 mm (1/8 inch) on every side, so that no white edge shows when the printed sheet is cut to size.

### What resolution do images need for print?

About 300 dpi at the size they will be printed. An image that looks sharp on screen can be too small for print if it is enlarged to a full page.

### Should I design a brochure in CMYK or RGB?

CMYK for print, because it matches how printers mix ink. Screens use RGB, and some bright RGB colours cannot be reproduced in CMYK, so check the converted colours or order a proof.

### What file format should I send to a printer?

Usually a PDF, often PDF/X-1a, which requires CMYK colours and embedded fonts, exported with bleed. Always check the printer's own file guide, because it overrides general advice.

### How long does a brochure design project take?

Graphic design projects at LAIN, such as brochures and decks, typically take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on length and how much content needs to be written or organised.

## Sources and fact check

Checked on 27 Oct 2026.

- [UPrinting: How to create a print-ready brochure design](https://www.uprinting.com/blog/how-to-design-brochure-for-printing/)
- [Affinity: Print design, everything you need to know before going to print](https://www.affinity.studio/blog/print-design-everything-you-need-to-know)
- [J-A-B Graphics: How to prepare design files for print](https://www.j-a-b.net/how-to-prepare-design-files-for-print-bleed-cmyk-resolution-and-export-settings/)