How to Create a Brochure in Adobe Illustrator
See Adobe Illustrator: Tips and Tricks for similar articles.Although Illustrator was never intended as a layout and typography program, it can certainly be used for simple multi-page documents. In this example, the structure for a trifold brochure will be created.
- Create a new file by either clicking New, or using the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+N.
- In the dialog box, set the Unit of Measurement to Picas. Picas is the standard unit of measurement in the graphics industry. The conversion is 1 inch = 6 picas. For a standard trifold using an 8.5" x 11" sheet, starting with picas makes the math easier. Set the Width to 22 and the Height to 51. Set Artboards to 6 and Bleed to 0 on all four sides. When you type "0", Illustrator will convert it to 0p0, which is the correct expression in picas. Click More Settings. CS 6 users, your dialog box will look like that shown in Step 3, so after you apply the settings in this step, you won't need to click More Settings.
- In the next dialog box, ensure Grid by Row is selected. Set the Spacing to 0 and Columns to 3, then click Create Document.
- The layout below shows the structure.
- In order for the finished piece to fold correctly, the fold-in panels need to be a little narrower. You'll also want to create a little space between the two rows of panels. Select the Artboard Tool.
- Click on Artboard 1, then go to the Options Bar. Set the Reference Point to the right-center, then change the Width to 21p6.
- Click on Artboard 6. In the Options Bar, change The Reference Point to the left-center, then the Width to 21p6.
- Show the rulers, if necessary (Ctrl+R). Right-click on either the horizontal or vertical ruler and change the unit of measurement back to Inches.
- Click on Artboard 4, then go to the Options Bar, click the top-center Reference Point and set the Y value to 9.75.
- Repeat Step 9 for Artboard 5 and Artboard 6.
- You may want to create margin guides. Select the Rectangle Tool [
]. Create rectangles at the desired size and position for the margins on each of the six panels.
- Select all six rectangles, then go to View > Guides > Make Guides.
- Click on the pasteboard to deselect and you'll see that the rectangles have changed to the cyan color of guides.
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