Booklets are a powerful marketing tool. They’re compact, informative, and create a tangible connection between your brand and your audience. Whether you’re showcasing products, telling your company’s story, or distributing event information, a well-designed booklet can deliver a big impact.
But great booklet design isn’t just about pretty layouts. It’s about creating a structured, readable, and branded experience that leads your reader from front cover to final call-to-action.
If you’re planning a booklet for your business, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to design it effectively — from structure to style, and everything in between.
1. Start with Purpose
Before you dive into design, ask yourself:
What’s the goal of this booklet?
- Is it to educate customers about a service?
- Highlight new products?
- Serve as a guide or manual?
- Tell your brand story?
Defining your purpose will shape every element, from content and layout to printing specs.
2. Plan Your Content Structure
Good booklets have a natural flow. Outline your sections first to avoid overcrowding pages or missing key info.
A simple structure might include:
- Cover Page: Title, logo, and visual hook
- Introduction: A short welcome or brand story
- Main Content: Product details, services, features, etc.
- Visuals: Images, infographics, or charts to support your message
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Call-to-Action (CTA): Encourage the reader to contact you, visit your site, or place an order
Pro tip: Keep each page focused. Don’t overwhelm your audience with too much on one spread.
3. Make It Visual
Visual hierarchy and branding are critical. Use your company’s colors, fonts, and tone consistently throughout the design.
Design best practices:
- Use headings and subheadings for readability
- Stick to 2-3 fonts for a clean look
- Leave plenty of white space to improve focus
- Break up text with images and diagrams
- Align elements for balance and structure
Your booklet is an extension of your brand. Treat it like a mini-website in print form.
4. Choose the Right Size and Format
At Royal Printers, we offer custom booklet printing in a variety of formats:
- Saddle-stitched booklets (most common, great for up to 64 pages)
- Coil-bound booklets (durable and ideal for manuals or guides)
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Perfect-bound booklets (professional finish for catalogs or reports)
Choose your size and binding based on content volume, how it’ll be used, and your desired look. Common sizes include 5.5” x 8.5”, 6” x 9”, and 8.5” x 11”.
Need help deciding? We’re happy to walk you through the options.
5. Use High-Quality Images and Print-Ready Files
Nothing undermines a beautiful booklet like pixelated images or printing errors. Make sure:
- All images are 300 DPI or higher
- Colors are set to CMYK for print
- Bleed and trim lines are correctly set
- Fonts are embedded or outlined
If you’re not sure, our prepress team at Royal Printers can review your files before printing.
6. Include a Strong Call-to-Action
What do you want your reader to do next?
- Visit your website?
- Call for a quote?
- Scan a QR code?
- Redeem an offer?
Place a clear CTA near the back of the booklet and make it stand out.
7. Think About Sustainability
If you’re printing in bulk, sustainability matters. At Royal Printers, we offer eco-friendly printing options including Sugar Sheet paper, a tree-free alternative made from agricultural waste. Your customers care about your impact and sustainable printing can give your brand an edge.
8. Partner with a Trusted Commercial Printer
Designing a great booklet is only half the equation. Printing it right is the other. When you work with Royal Printers, you get:
- Personalized support
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Custom options for materials, finishes, and binding
Fast, 3-day turnaround on most projects -
Decades of experience in booklet printing in BC
Let’s bring your booklet to life beautifully, sustainably, and on time.
Ready to Get Started?
Explore our Custom Booklet Printing Services or Contact Us for a Quote today. We’ll help guide you through every step of the design and print process.
