There are many reasons you might consider designing and printing a small booklet. Maybe you’re trying to promote your business. Maybe you’re providing employees with a convenient resource regarding various work policies. Perhaps you’re simply giving a gift.
Regardless, you want your booklet to make the right impression. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep certain best practices in mind when designing it. They include the following:
Use Strong Images
Your booklet may not consist solely of text. It might also include images.
If it does, those images need to be impressive. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on stock photos or learn to become a talented photographer yourself. Platforms such as Unsplash allow you to download high-quality images at no cost.
Keep in mind, even high-quality images can be less effective than they have the potential to be if the quality of the printing service you use is lacking. Make sure you choose a booklet printing service that has a reputation for delivering strong products.
Break the Text Up
A booklet is different from a traditional book in many ways. For example, a traditional book can feature long chapters of nothing but text.
That’s usually not ideal for a booklet. A booklet will be stronger if the text is broken up into sections through the use of headers, bullet-point lists, images, and other such formatting elements. Your goal is to design something that a reader could theoretically scan instead of reading from cover to cover. You may want to research how web designers make websites scannable to get ideas for your booklet’s design.
Choose the Right Typography
There’s no font or typography that’s universally “right” for all booklets. This is particularly true if a booklet is promoting a business. You want to choose typography that reflects the qualities and values of your brand.
That said, you need to strike a balance when choosing typography. The fonts you select can’t be too decorative, as it’s important for them to be legible. It’s also a good idea to stick to only one or two fonts throughout your booklet instead of choosing a wide variety of fonts.
In general, though, it’s generally best to use serif fonts in an informational booklet. Serifs make different letters more easily distinguishable from one another. This enhances readability.
Consider Various Ways of Expressing Certain Information
Depending on the type of information you’re sharing in your booklet, you may want to consider different ways of expressing it to ensure you provide readers with information in the most effective manner. For example, in some instances, it may be better to make a certain point via a chart or graph than through text. Choosing different ways of expressing certain points can also help you share more information in a small space, optimizing your booklet’s page count.
Finally, consider reviewing examples of booklets similar to the one you’re designing to get inspiration. When you see what works and what doesn’t work in other booklets, you’ll find it’s much easier to design one that impresses.