Brochure Artwork: Page Count, Folds and Margins Step by Step

Correct brochure artwork is a single-page PDF (not spreads), where each page has a 3 mm bleed on all sides, a 5 mm safety margin from the edges, and all text converted to outlines or with fonts embedded. For a saddle-stitched brochure or catalogue, the page count must always be divisible by 4 — so 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 pages; a folded flyer only needs 2 or 3 panels per side. With a file like this, your job goes straight to print without back-and-forth, and a standard A4 catalogue, 8 pages on 170 gsm paper, is produced in 3–7 business days.

Page count: why it must be divisible by 4

In a saddle-stitched brochure (stapled through the middle), one sheet of paper folded in half gives 4 pages. That's why a 10-page brochure is physically impossible — you need to choose 8 or 12. Covers are included in the total page count: an 8-page catalogue means a front cover, 6 inside pages and a back cover.

On 170 gsm paper, saddle stitching works well up to roughly 32–36 pages. For thicker publications we use 130–150 gsm paper for inside pages and 250–300 gsm for covers, or switch to perfect binding with a spine.

Types of folds and panel sizes

For a folded brochure, it's important that the inner panel is 1.5–3 mm narrower — otherwise it won't tuck into the fold properly and the paper will crease. Below are the most typical options based on an A4 sheet:

With a Z-fold the panels can all be equal, since no panel tucks inside another. With a roll fold, you need to narrow the panel that ends up on the inside. Never draw fold lines directly on top of the design in your artwork — mark them on a separate layer, or send us a simple sketch with dimensions.

Margins: bleed, safety zone and spine

• Bleed: 3 mm on each side. Background colours, photos and patches should extend to the bleed line, otherwise a white strip will remain after trimming.
• Safety margin: 5 mm from the trimmed edge for text, logos and page numbers.
• Inner margin (near the staple): 7–10 mm — the more pages, the wider it should be. A two-page photo spread in the middle of a saddle-stitched brochure always loses 2–4 mm at the fold, so don't place important text there.
• Distance from the fold: keep text at least 4 mm from the fold line to avoid letters breaking across it.
• For thicker catalogues (24+ pages), we account for page creep — inner pages get trimmed slightly more, so it's best to plan margins with some extra allowance.

File requirements

We accept PDF (preferably PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4), as well as vector files in .ai and .eps. Basic requirements:

• Colours in CMYK, not RGB; black text should be 100% K, not four-colour black.
• Photo resolution 300 dpi at final size; 150 dpi images on an A4 page will look blurry.
• Pages in the PDF one at a time, in sequence from the first to the last, all in the same orientation.
• Fonts embedded or text converted to outlines.
• Thin lines no narrower than 0.25 pt.
• If you want spot varnish or partial UV coating, this needs a separate layer in 100% black.

The same requirements apply to smaller print jobs, such as business cards, cards and flyers — there, bleed is often the only margin you need to think about.

Prices and turnaround

Indicative prices excl. VAT for our standard saddle-stitched catalogues on 170 gsm paper:

A setup fee of EUR 15.00 per job applies (artwork check, imposition, digital proof print). A higher page count, different paper, or varnish will affect the price — we calculate the exact amount based on your specific artwork. Turnaround is typically 3–10 business days, depending on print run and finishing; urgent jobs can be arranged by agreement.

Common artwork mistakes

1. Spreads (2 pages on one PDF page) — imposition requires separate pages.
2. No bleed: the background image ends exactly at the trimmed format edge.
3. A page count of 10, 14 or 18 — not divisible by 4.
4. RGB images with bright tones that turn dull when printed.
5. Page numbers placed 2 mm from the edge — part of them disappears after trimming.
6. All three panels equal at 99 mm in a roll fold.

If you're unsure about any of these points, send us your file for a check before printing — we review artwork free of charge and point out anything that needs fixing. You can browse all our print products in the printing services section.

Frequently asked questions

How many mm of bleed does brochure artwork need?

3 mm on each side. So a finished A4 page in your artwork is 216 × 303 mm including bleed. Crop marks in the PDF aren't mandatory, but they don't hurt.

Can a brochure have 10 pages?

No, not if it's saddle-stitched. One sheet gives 4 pages, so 8, 12, 16, 20, etc. are possible. If your content is 10 pages, we usually add one blank page or extend it to 12.

How do I correctly split three panels on an A4 format?

For a roll fold: 100 + 99 + 98 mm, where the narrowest panel is the one that folds inward. For a Z-fold, you can have three equal 99 mm panels.

Can you create the artwork if I only have text and images?

Yes. We handle layout and design as a separate service; the price depends on the number of pages and the amount of material. Send us the text in a Word file and images at their original resolution.

How long does it take to get 100 pcs of an A4 catalogue?

Usually 5–7 business days from artwork approval. If you need it sooner, let us know right away — we can speed up part of the process.

Send us your artwork, or even just a rough idea, to info@attaprint.lv, call +371 25776699, or message us on WhatsApp at the same number — we'll prepare a quote within one business day. Contact details and our address at Kandavas iela 29A are available on the contacts page.