Whether you are distributing them in person or delivering them via mail, brochures are excellent marketing and promotional tool for any business type. But did you know that some brochure types are better suited for some business objectives than others? Most people opt for traditional bi-fold brochures, but there are more types you can use for different business purposes.
Common Types Of Brochures You Can Get Right Now
Here are the most common brochure types:
BI-FOLD BROCHURE. The most standard brochure design is a bi-fold or half-fold brochure, usually an 8.5 x 11-inch paper folded in half. Bi-fold brochures are the most universally used brochure type. And it is ideal as informational packets because they perfectly fit the standard 6 x 9 envelope for mailing.
TRI-FOLD BROCHURES. A tri-fold brochure is often printed on 8.5 x 11-inch paper and folded into three rectangular sections. But what most people don't realize when designing a tri-fold brochure is that they have to lay out one side smaller because that side has to be folded in. Contents of a tri-fold brochure also have to be presented in a way that allows the story to unfold when you open the brochure.
One type of tri-fold brochure is a z-fold, in which, instead of folded in, panels are folded in opposite ways, so one side contains one cluster of information, and another group of information is on the other side. You typically see z-fold brochures used for translated content; one side includes information in English, and the other side is in another language, like Spanish, for example.
ACCORDION FOLD BROCHURE. Accordion folds are usually over three panels folded back and forth. This type is ideal when you have four or more sections or business specializations you need to feature on your brochure because you can have more panels to discuss each business segment.
DOUBLE-GATE FOLD. A double-gate brochure has two sides folded in, so they look like two doors opening when you unfold them. You often see people use this brochure type for printing invitations.
DOUBLE PARALLEL. When you see a brochure folded in half and then folded in half again to create more panels, you're looking at a double parallel brochure. All the double parallel brochure panels have content about the business or the products, except for the front, which is for the brochure cover, and the back, which usually contains company information or contact details.
ROLL FOLD. A roll-fold brochure is similar to a tri-fold but has four or more panels. They make a fantastic alternative to the standard bi-fold brochure because it allows a more dramatic reveal of information whenever the reader unfolds them. It is ideal for presenting company history or for telling a story that is developing as the readers spread the brochure.
Got Brochure Questions? We Have Brochure Answers!
Now that you know the different brochure types, you can choose the one that best suits your intended purpose. And if you are looking for a brochure printing partner to meet and exceed your quality printing needs, contact Michael Duhr and his crew at Foote Printing.
If election night kept you up late, you were not alone. While you watched returns, our presses were humming. This off-year cycle turned into the best month ever at Foote Printing, and it revealed what local campaigns in Cleveland truly need to win: speed, precision, and partners who understand the stakes.
The Realities Cleveland Campaigns Face
This year, the City of Cleveland reduced wards due to new census data. That shook up council races and put every council seat back on the ballot. The result was a surge in political printing with tight deadlines and last-minute changes.
We are not a massive national shop. We are a local union printer rooted in Cleveland. That’s exactly why off-year elections are our sweet spot. When campaigns need quick turn times, accurate targeting by ward, and materials that reflect local values, we deliver.
What We Printed That Moved the Needle
Campaigns are getting smarter about their marketing mix. While a lot happens online, print still does heavy lifting for persuasion and turnout. Here is what we produced most this season:
Political postcards and mailers: The bulk of our campaign work. Designed for speed, clarity, and fast mailing.
Yard signs: Still essential for name recognition and visibility in key neighborhoods.
T-shirts: Street teams and volunteers need branded gear that pops in photos and on the doorstep.
Union and solar bugs: We print the union bug and a solar printed bug so your materials reflect values many Cleveland vot
If you have ever battled weeds and bamboo pushing through old asphalt, you know the struggle. Our delivery area had turned into a patchwork of cracks and potholes. Then one morning, opportunity literally walked through our front door. A paving crew working down the street had extra asphalt and an open hour. We vetted the plan, said yes, and in about 60 minutes our back lot was transformed.
Why We Chose to Repave Now
Behind our building is a busy delivery and pickup area that keeps your print jobs moving. Over the years the lot had gotten rough. Weeds and bamboo were breaking through, and the surface was not what we expect from a facility that stands for quality. We had already cleared the area and planned a spring repair. Timing and reliability matter to us, and the chance to get it done sooner at a smart price was too good to pass up.
The Story Behind the Upgrade
Here is how it happened, straight from our team:
We cleared the back lot and planned to bring in a pothole repair team in spring.
A representative from ARC Roadway Construction stopped in. They were paving nearby, had extra asphalt, and could mobilize quickly.
We asked the right questions. Scope, layers, timeline, and price. Two layers of asphalt were proposed, which was key for durability.
We phoned a trusted advisor for a gut check. The answer was simple, take the deal, it will save money and time.
The crew arrived, and about an hour later the lot looked phenomenal. Smooth, clean, and ready for work.
We
You can design a stunning postcard, but one tiny white sliver along the edge will make it look cheap in an instant. We see it all the time, and it is completely avoidable.
At Foote Printing, the most common error that slows jobs down or triggers reprints is simple, no bleed. When files arrive without bleeds, trimming tolerances can reveal thin white edges or force us to under trim, which pushes type uncomfortably close to the cut. I am Michael Duhr, and my team and I want to help you avoid those headaches with a few practical, print-ready habits.
Bleeds and Safe Zones, The Foundation of Print-Ready Files
If your design prints to the edge, extend background colors, images, and elements past the trim.
Add at least 0.125 inch bleed on all sides
Keep critical content, logos, and type at least 0.25 inch inside the trim, the safe zone
A proper bleed lets us trim cleanly even with slight mechanical variance. A proper safe zone keeps your message from crowding the edge if we must under trim to avoid a white sliver. You can give more bleed if you prefer, even 0.25 inch or more, especially useful for complex layouts.
Send the Right File Format and Resolution
For commercial printing, PDF is your best friend.
Export a print-ready PDF with bleeds turned on
Include crop marks if your workflow supports them
Avoid sending JPG or PNG as your only file, those often come in at 72 dpi and oversized, which prints poorly
If you have to use raster art, ensure it is 300 dpi at final s