Folded leaflets are a great way to communicate to target customers what your business is about and what you offer. Whether you print detailed information about your services or use it as a menu, a folded leaflet provides ample space to tell your brand story. If you’re wondering how to make a folded leaflet, just follow these steps for folded leaflet creation to showcase your business or product in the best light.
- A folded leaflet is a printed marketing material containing text and visual elements used to convey information about products, services or a brand to a target audience.
- Defining your folded leaflet’s purpose and audience will guide your design and messaging. Knowing who you’re speaking to helps tailor your content to their interests and needs.
- Choose a fold style like bi-fold or tri-fold based on how you want to present your content. Each type of fold offers a different layout that can help highlight key points and make your folded leaflet easy to navigate.
- Use high-quality visuals and concise text to keep your message clear and engaging. Strong visuals will draw attention, while short, impactful text ensures your message is easy to understand.
What is a folded leaflet?
A folded leaflet is a printed marketing or promotional material used by businesses and organisations to convey information about their products, services or brand to a target audience.
Colourful folded leaflet design
Folded leaflets typically consist of folded sheets of paper that contain text, images, graphics and other visual elements designed to inform, engage and persuade the reader.
Business folded leaflets serve various purposes, including:
- Marketing and promotion
- Information dissemination
- Event promotion
- Educational materials
- Brand awareness
- Sales support
The following sections will outline what to include in your folded leaflet, folded leaflet layouts and a step-by-step guide on how to create folded leaflets, from researching your target audience to printing.
What should be included in a folded leaflet?
To create a business folded leaflet, you’re going to need content. So, before you get started with folded leaflet creation, make a folder where you’ll have these essentials at hand.
Cover page content
The cover page of your business folded leaflet is where you start building that important first impression.
Folded leaflet cover page
On the cover page of your folded leaflet, include:
- A catchy headline or slogan: Pique curiosity and get potential customers interested in your brand.
- Great visuals: Choose relevant images or graphics, and make sure they’re clear and sharp.
- Your logo: Print your company logo front and centre in the highest resolution possible.
Don’t have a logo yet? Read our article on how to choose a logo for your business and check out our logo design services.
Inside pages content
Once you’ve chosen the assets for your folded leaflet’s cover page, it’s time to focus on what goes inside.
Images
Select a few high-resolution photos of your products or services, and maybe even one of you or your team.
Copy (text)
Your message is important, so spend time drafting what you want to say in advance and make tweaks later. Your folded leaflet copy should include:
- Intro/About us: The introductory section of your folded leaflet serves as the opening statement, providing readers with a concise overview of your brand’s mission and values.
- Services/Products: Offer a comprehensive overview of the range of services or products your business provides. Include detailed descriptions and eye-catching images, and highlight the key features of each offering.
- Benefits: This is where you show how your products or services can improve your customers’ lives by solving their problems or meeting their needs.
Colourful folded leaflet design
If you want a multi-page folded leaflet packed with information, you can also add the following elements:
- Testimonials: Social proof can help reassure readers that your products or services deliver genuine benefits. Include quotes or testimonials from satisfied customers or clients. Use real names and, if possible, photographs of the people providing the testimonials.
- Team: Make your brand even more trustworthy by putting a face to the name. Provide brief profiles, photos, qualifications, expertise and roles of key team members.
Keep folded leaflet copy concise — that’s how to create a folded leaflet that leaves a lasting impression.
Content for the back of your folded leaflet
Write a strong call to action (CTA) and your contact details on the back page of your folded leaflet so your audience knows how to contact you and what to do next.
- Contact information: Include your business address, phone number, email, website URL or social media handles.
- Call to Action (CTA): Encourage readers to take action, such as contacting you, requesting a quote or visiting your website. Use action-oriented language, like ‘Call us today’ or ‘Visit our website for more information’.
How to create folded leaflets that customers will hold onto? Include useful resources, a map or even a mini calendar.
How to make a folded leaflet layout
With your content prepared, start creating a clean and easy-to-read folded leaflet layout. This is where the art of folded leaflet design comes into play. Achieving an effective folded leaflet layout is crucial to engage your audience and convey your message clearly.
Refer to our guide on how to design a folded leaflet for some inspiration.
Tri-fold folded leaflet layout
Plan the information hierarchy
Establish a clear information hierarchy. Identify the most important pieces of content and arrange them logically. Use headlines, subheadings and body text to guide readers through the information.
Implement a grid system
For visual consistency, use a grid system that serves as the foundation for your layout. This grid will help you align text and images consistently. Think of it as the invisible structure that keeps everything in place.
Craft smooth page transitions
Consider the flow of the pages of your folded leaflet — ensure that readers can easily follow the logical sequence of information as they progress through your folded leaflet. Keep in mind how your layout will appear when the leaflet is folded, making sure the important content stays visible on each panel to create an easy-to-follow reading experience.
Create text boxes and image frames
Text boxes for your written content and image frames for images and graphics create a neat look, while consistent spacing and alignment will give your folded leaflet a professional feel. Boxes and frames ensure your folded leaflet doesn’t look too cluttered, and the information is presented in easily digestible chunks.
Strike a balance between text and visuals
Avoid overwhelming readers with an excessive amount of text or images on a single page. Strive for a balanced layout where text and visuals work harmoniously to convey your message effectively.
How to make a folded leaflet step by step
Now it’s time to learn how to make a folded leaflet. Let’s walk through the process step by step, helping to bring your business folded leaflet to life.
Step 1: Determine your folded leaflet’s objective
Clarifying the purpose of your folded leaflet helps emphasise your key message and ensures the effectiveness of your printed folded leaflet.
Consider what you aim to accomplish with your folded leaflet…
- Is it primarily to promote a particular service, perhaps highlighting its unique benefits?
- Are you looking to introduce your audience to the exciting new features of a product?
- Will your folded leaflet provide essential information about your business or organisation, such as your history, mission or values?
- Is the folded leaflet an invitation, providing details about an upcoming event and encouraging people to attend?
Exploring these questions will help clarify your folded leaflet’s purpose and lay a solid foundation for crafting a folded leaflet that resonates with its target audience.
Folded leaflet for a grand opening
Step 2: Understand your target audience
To better understand how a business folded leaflet can help you achieve your goals, it’s important to learn what your target audience looks for in marketing materials. Firstly, ask yourself whether your target audience reads folded leaflets. Other marketing materials, like flyers or pamphlets, might engage their attention more effectively.
Tri-fold folded leaflet
Before moving on to how to create a folded leaflet, you need to figure out:
- The specific demographics of the people you want to reach with your folded leaflet.
- The key problems or challenges your audience faces that your product or service can help solve.
- What information is your audience looking for in your folded leaflet?
- The tone of voice that appeals to your audience. Is it formal, informal, friendly or professional?
- Audience incentives for engaging with your business. Perhaps they are driven by discounts, convenience or feeling part of something?
- Where your audience is most likely to find and engage with your folded leaflet, whether in-store, by post, via other local businesses or handed out at events and trade shows.
Step 3: Create an outline of your business folded leaflet
Now that you understand your audience and objectives, map out the outline of your folded leaflet. Creating an outline will help keep your content focused, organise your content and engage your audience. A roadmap will also help allocate time, budget and people power for more efficient folded leaflet creation.
In your folded leaflet outline, include the sections or topics you intend to address, as well as any visual elements, such as images or graphics, that you plan to incorporate. Don’t forget a compelling call to action (CTA).
Step 4: Create the folded leaflet copy and visuals
Once you’ve laid out the folded leaflet outline, start creating your folded leaflet’s content. Maintain consistent branding with your colour palette, logos and folded leaflet fonts, ensuring your folded leaflet aligns with your brand identity, building brand recognition.
Folded leaflet design
To make your folded leaflet copy more engaging:
- Divide text into paragraphs: Break up your content to enhance readability and engage readers.
- Try to connect with your reader: Use second-person pronouns like ‘you’ to directly engage the reader and create a more personal feel.
- Use an active voice: Writing actively rather than passively will enhance readability.
- Keep it brief: To ensure your message is impactful, convey essential information clearly and succinctly while avoiding unnecessary details.
When it comes to the folded leaflet’s visual elements:
- Consider using custom images: Hire a designer to produce custom graphics aligned with your brand that differentiate you from your competitors.
- Avoid using stock photos: Otherwise, you risk using the same images as your competitors and not standing out with your business folded leaflet.
For both copy and images, double-check that your folded leaflet’s content is relevant to the message you want to convey, on-brand and accessible to your target audience.
Farm folded leaflet cover with custom illustrations
Step 5: Choose the fold of your folded leaflet
Leaflet folds, such as bi-fold, tri-fold and Z-fold, offer distinct layouts and are best suited to specific communication goals.
A bi-fold consists of two panels, making it simple and cost-effective. It’s ideal for conveying essential information when you have limited content or want to focus on a single message, like a menu or price list.
Bi-fold business folded leaflet
A tri-fold, with six panels, provides more space for content. It’s versatile and commonly used for folded leaflets that balance visuals and detailed information. Tri-fold folded leaflet templates are great for product catalogues, event programmes and service offerings.
Tri-fold pet grooming business folded leaflet
Lastly, the Z-fold is known for its eye-catching presentation. It zigzags when unfolded, revealing three panels on each side. It’s excellent for brand storytelling or to guide readers through a sequential narrative, like a journey or process.
Z-fold business folded leaflet
Choosing the right fold depends on your content and objectives:
- Use a bi-fold folded leaflet for simplicity and clarity
- Use a tri-fold folded leaflet for versatility and balance
- Use a Z-fold folded leaflet for impactful storytelling or sequential information
Step 6: Customise a folded leaflet template
While you can design your folded leaflet from scratch, you don’t have to start from a blank page. Instead, you can browse VistaPrint’s gallery of ready-made folded leaflet design templates, pick the one best suited to your folded leaflet goals and customise it to match your brand identity.
Ready-made business folded leaflet design templates
Step 7: Prepare your design document with a safety area
When creating a print-ready file, include a safe area and crop marks, making sure the design goes all the way to the edge (full bleed size) while keeping important text and images safely inside the designated area.
Product specs for a bi-fold brochure
Product specs for a tri-fold brochure
Product specs for a Z-fold brochure
Step 8: Order a test print of your business folded leaflet
Before finalising your design and sending your folded leaflet to print, create a test copy to ensure the quality of your folded leaflet. Because printed colours sometimes look different from what you see on your computer screen, printing a test copy can help assess if the colours in your folded leaflet match your brand guidelines or design intentions. You can also check the paper stock, texture and finish to ensure they meet your expectations.
A printed test copy is an excellent opportunity for a final proofread. Review the text for typos, grammatical errors or any content-related issues that may have been missed during the digital review. It also allows stakeholders to provide feedback on the printed folded leaflet, rather than reviewing digital mock-ups.
Step 9: Print your folded leaflet
Once you’ve approved your folded leaflet design, it’s time to print. To ensure high-quality marketing materials, print your folded leaflets with trusted printing services like VistaPrint. When sending your folded leaflets off for printing, you’ll need to choose paper thickness, folded leaflet size and paper stock.
Folded leaflet cover page design
Folded leaflets usually come in four types of paper stock, each with its pros and cons:
- Glossy finish: The best option for folded leaflets with vibrant colours or photos, but keep in mind that glossy paper can be reflective and difficult to read in bright light, so it’s not ideal for text-heavy designs.
- Matte finish: Perfect for simple black-and-white designs or high-contrast colour combinations. Some people think it looks more professional than glossy, making it a good choice for corporate folded leaflets.
- Uncoated paper: Natural and easy to read and write on, uncoated paper is versatile and useful for scribbling down contact information at an event.
- Recycled paper: Made from 100% post-consumer recycled material, recycled paper has a textured finish. An eco-friendly choice for environmentally conscious businesses.
Ready to make a folded leaflet?
Seeing your folded leaflet come to life is exciting, but the real value comes when you start putting it to work. Display your folded leaflets at well-chosen locations to attract potential customers, and hand them out at your place of business or events. Whatever you choose to do with them, you’ll find your folded leaflet is one of your proudest and most versatile marketing materials.
Folded leaflet creation FAQs
How do I make a folded leaflet for my business?
To make a folded leaflet for your business, determine its purpose and target audience. Choose a folded leaflet layout and template that suits your content, add high-quality images, write concise and engaging copy, and include key information like services, contact details and a call to action.
What are the different types of folded leaflets?
The most common types of folded leaflets are bi-fold, tri-fold and Z-fold, each offering different panel configurations for presenting content in a visually appealing way. Other types of folded leaflets include formats designed to communicate specific information such as restaurant menus, service price lists and event programmes.
What is the difference between a folded leaflet, flyer and pamphlet?
A folded leaflet is a multi-page document used for detailed information, whereas a flyer is a single, eye-catching sheet used for quick promotions, and a pamphlet is a small booklet focused on informing or educating audiences.
What should I include in a folded leaflet?
Include your business logo, a catchy headline, a brief introduction, detailed information about your products or services, testimonials, contact details and a call to action.
What is the best size for a folded leaflet?
The most popular folded leaflet sizes are 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm for a tri-fold, 215.9 mm x 355.6 mm for more detailed content and 279.4 mm x 431.8 mm for larger layouts that require more space.
Should I print my folded leaflet or share it digitally?
It depends on your marketing goals. Printed folded leaflets are great for in-person distribution, while digital folded leaflets are cost-effective and easy to share via email or on your website. Many businesses opt for both formats for maximum reach.
