How to create a brochure with Google Docs

Google Docs is easy-to-access free software that can come in handy when you want to make a brochure. It also includes ready-made templates, but you can also create your own by playing around with the different format settings. Use columns, tables and text boxes to personalize your unique brochure.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: set up the document

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 1

Step 1. Decide on the look of your brochure

There are many shapes and sizes. Do you want one the size of a letter, with multiple pages or a brochure that folds in three with a size suitable for an envelope? Do you want more text or more images? Sometimes it is fashionable to start with a rough draft on a blank piece of paper before jumping into it.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 2

Step 2. Go to http://docs.google.com in your browser

If prompted, sign in to your Google Account with your email address and password

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 3

Step 3. Click on the blue ➕

You will find it on the document called "Blank Document" at the top of the page.

If you would prefer to use a template rather than creating the brochure from scratch, click Template gallery in the top right corner of the window, scroll down until you find the section Job and choose the model of your choice.
If you don't see the models at the top of the page, click ≡ in the top left corner, then click Settings and tick Show recent models on the home page.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 4

Step 4. Select New Document in the top left corner

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 5

Step 5. Type the name of your brochure

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 6

Step 6. Click File → Layout.

This will open a dialog box that allows you to adjust the sheet size, page orientation, and margins.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 7

Step 7. Adjust the layout

Choose it according to the brochure you want to create.

For example, if you are creating a standard double-sided brochure that folds in three, you should change the orientation to Countryside, leave the page size on Letter and reduce the margins to 5mm on each side, as a 1.5cm margin will waste a lot of space on a folded brochure.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 8

Step 8. Click OK

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 9

Step 9. Select Format from the toolbar

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 10

Step 10. Choose Columns → More options.

This opens a dialog box where you can choose the number of columns in the document and the space between each one.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 11

Step 11. Choose the number of columns

Do this depending on the type of brochure you want to create.

Continuing with the example of the brochure that folds in three, you need to set the number of columns to 3 and the margin to 1 cm, because when folded, each column will have a margin of 5 mm on each side

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 12

Step 12. Click on the top row of the first column

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 13

Step 13. Select Table from the toolbar

Then choose Insert Table.

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Step 14. Click on the first square (1x1) from the drop-down menu

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Step 15. Select the table border

Drag down the first column.

Repeat these steps for each column in the brochure

Part 2 of 3: create the covers

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 16

Step 1. Find the front panel

Because of the way 2-sided printing works, the location of the cover panels will change depending on the number of pages or folds you have.

The front of the tri-panel brochure is the far right column on the first page

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 17

Step 2. Click near the top of the front panel

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 18

Step 3. Type the title of the brochure

It is usually text that is wider and thicker than the text in the rest of the document. The title of the cover is generally larger and thicker than the brochure. In general, it is made to catch the eye or provide information.

Use the tools on the toolbar to adjust the style (bold, italics, underline), color, size and alignment of the title, as it is usually centered

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 19

Step 4. Add the cover image

A good image on the cover is important to illustrate the purpose of the brochure, as well as to arouse the reader's interest.

To add an image, click Insert in the toolbar, then click Picture…
Select or take a photo, then use your mouse or trackpad to move and resize it as you want.
Click the option to adjust the text. In the example of the brochure with three panels, you need to adjust the text around the images, that's why you need to click Adjust text at the bottom of the image you are inserting. The option Break text will stop the text at the top and continue it at the bottom of the image. This is a viable option, especially with small signs on a three-panel brochure. The option Align means the image will be pasted into the text, which may cause formatting issues in the brochure.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 20

Step 5. Find the back panel

Because of the way two-sided brochures work, the location of the reverse side may be different depending on the number of pages or folds you have.

The back cover of a three-panel brochure is going to be the middle column of the first page

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 21

Step 6. Click on the back panel

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Step 7. Add contact or tracking information

The back panel of the brochure often includes information about next steps or how to contact the company that published the brochure. Sometimes it is designed to act as an envelope so that the brochure can be sent directly by post.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 23

Step 8. Add an image

The images on the back of the cover allow you to get an eye-catching product that makes people want to look at it.

Part 3 of 3: Create the interior panels

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 24

Step 1. Click on the first interior panel

This is where you will start to add text and images to the heart of the information you want to convey.

For the three-panel brochure example, you'll use the leftmost panel on the second page or on the first page, as these are the ones readers will see first when they open the brochure

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Step 2. Type or paste the text in the boxes

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Step 3. Make adjustments to the text

To do this, select the text with the mouse and use the tools at the top of the page.

Headings above articles are usually in bold or italics, and sometimes a different font is used than the main text of the brochure.
The main text is usually in a size 10 or 12 font. Headings are often larger.
Use the alignment buttons to adjust the text.
- Text in columns is most often left aligned or justified.
- The titles are more aligned on the left, in the middle, or justified.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 27

Step 4. Add images

Images help you focus on what is written while keeping the reader's eyes moving on the brochure.

To add an image, click Insert in the toolbar, then click Picture…
Select or take a photo, then use your mouse or trackpad to move and resize it as needed.
Choose the text adjustment option. For this example, you want text around the images, that's why you need to select Fit text around image at the bottom of the image you are inserting. The option Break text will stop the text above and continue it below. This is also an option to consider, especially on the smaller brochure panels. The option Align will allow it to be pasted in the middle of the text, which will cause formatting problems for a brochure.

Make a Brochure Using Google Docs Step 28

Step 5. Print or share the file

When you are ready to print it, click File → To print. From the file menu, you can also download the document in a different format or email it to a print shop or your co-workers.