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How to Create a Science Brochure Template in InDesign

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a brochure in InDesign, and you'll also discover premium InDesign brochure templates from Envato Elements.
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What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a science brochure template with a colorful, on-trend style. You’ll pick up pro tips on how to make a brochure in InDesign, customising the design with your own content and preparing it for printing. 

This is Brandink, a premium InDesign brochure template from Envato Elements.This is Brandink, a premium InDesign brochure template from Envato Elements.This is Brandink, a premium InDesign brochure template from Envato Elements.
This is Brandink, a premium InDesign brochure template from Envato Elements.

Ready to create your science brochure template in InDesign? Awesome, let’s dive in.

What You’ll Need to Make a Smart Science Brochure Template in InDesign

You need access to Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator (or an alternative vector program), as well as these font and icon sets from Envato Elements for your science brochure template:

You can choose to use the photos used in the science brochure template as pictured or replace these with your own choice of images. The photos used in the template, as pictured here, are:

Once you’ve installed the font files on your computer and have your images to hand, you’re ready to start creating your science brochure template in InDesign.

1. How to Set Up the Brochure Template in InDesign

First things first: set up the brochure template in InDesign. Here's how:

Step 1

Open InDesign and go to File > New > Document. 

Select Print from the Intent options at the top of the window, and choose Letter for the page size. 

Increase the number of Pages to 6 and make sure Facing Pages is checked. 

Set the Top and Outside Margins to 0.75 in, the Inside to 0.875 in, and the Bottom to 1 in. 

Add a Bleed of 0.25 in to all edges except the Inside edge, which you can keep to 0 in. Then click Create.

new documentnew documentnew document

Step 2

Go to the Layers panel (Window > Layers) and double-click on Layer 1, renaming it Photos

Create three more new layers—Color, Graphics, and Type

layer options typelayer options typelayer options type

Then lock all the layers except the Color layer. 

layers panellayers panellayers panel

Step 3

Expand the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches) and choose New Color Swatch from the panel’s drop-down menu. 

Set the levels to C=56 M=0 Y=0 K=0, and click Add and Done.

Create three more CMYK swatches: 

  • C=14 M=34 Y=99 K=0
  • C=60 M=100 Y=1 K=0
  • C=2 M=85 Y=79 K=0
swatch optionsswatch optionsswatch options

2. How to Add Color to Your InDesign Brochure Template

Adding color is a must to create a captivating InDesign brochure template! These steps will help you out:

Step 1

Working on the Color layer, switch to the Rectangle Tool (M) and drag to create a shape across the first page of your document, extending the edge up to the bleed and left page trim.

From the Swatches panel, set the Fill of the shape to red, C=2 M=85 Y=79 K=0. 

swatches panelswatches panelswatches panel

Step 2

Scroll down to the first two-page spread of your document, and create a colored rectangle over the left-hand page, setting the Fill to purple, C=60 M=100 Y=1 K=0.

purple fill colorpurple fill colorpurple fill color

Edit > Copy, Edit > Paste the rectangle, and move it over to the right-hand page. 

With this second shape selected, go to Object > Effects > Transparency. Set the Mode to Hard Light and bring the Opacity down to 75%. 

effects hard lighteffects hard lighteffects hard light

Step 3

Select and Copy both purple rectangles, and scroll down to the next spread of the document. 

Edit > Paste them, switching the opaque shape to the right side and the transparent one to the left side. 

transparencytransparencytransparency

Step 4

Create a final colored shape across the final page and back cover of the brochure, setting the Fill to red to match the front cover. 

colored rectanglecolored rectanglecolored rectangle

3. How to Create a Striking Design for the Front Cover of Your Brochure in InDesign

The next step in learning how to make a brochure in InDesign is creating a front cover!

Step 1

Scroll back up to the first page of the document, and lock the Color layer. Unlock the top layer, Type

Use the Type Tool (T) to create a large text frame across the top quarter of the page, typing in the title and setting the Font to Chronograph and a purple Font Color. 

header frameheader frameheader frame

Step 2

Copy and Paste the text frame a couple of times, arranging the copies in a row below the first, filling up the second quarter of the page. 

Be playful with the Font Color, applying a different color from your palette to one of the text frames. 

text framestext framestext frames

Step 3

Build up more text frames across the cover, creating four complete rows and varying the Font Color throughout. 

text framestext framestext frames

Step 4

Open the pack of laboratory icons in a vector program like Adobe Illustrator. 

Select one of the icons and Edit > Copy it. 

illustrator iconsillustrator iconsillustrator icons

Return to InDesign and lock the Type layer, unlocking the Graphics layer below. 

Edit > Paste the icon directly onto the page. Hold Shift while you resize it and position it playfully inside one of the letters on the cover. Adjust the Fill Color of the icon to match the letter. 

purple iconpurple iconpurple icon

Return to the vector pack again and choose a second icon, copying and pasting it across and adapting the Fill Color as before. 

vector iconvector iconvector icon

4. How to Create a Spread for Your Template for an InDesign Brochure

By creating a basic layout for a single spread in your template for an InDesign brochure, you can use this as a basis for populating more pages in your document. 

Step 1

Scroll down to the first spread in your document. Remaining on the Graphics layer, Copy and Paste one of the icons across from the front cover, enlarging it and adjusting the Fill Color to pale blue. 

vector iconvector iconvector icon

Step 2

Lock the Graphics layer and unlock the top Type layer. 

Use the Type Tool (T) to create one or several frames for a header at the top of the spread. Type in the header and set the Font to Chronograph SemiBold and a contrasting Font Color. 

title headertitle headertitle header

Set a subtitle below also in Chronograph SemiBold, and the text in All Caps.

subheadingsubheadingsubheading

Step 3

Use the Type Tool (T) to create the first column for body text on the far left of the left-hand page.

Set the first paragraph in Chronograph Bold, All Caps, and a pale blue Font Color. 

body text framebody text framebody text frame

Set the remaining body text in Chronograph SemiBold and a [Paper] Font Color. 

body textbody textbody text

Step 4

Pick up any overflowing text from the first column text frame by clicking on the small square icon at the bottom-right of the text frame.

Click onto the page to create a second text frame, and resize it to create a second column on the left-hand page. 

Repeat to create more threaded columns on the right-hand page. 

threaded columnsthreaded columnsthreaded columns

Step 5

Create a pull quote by creating a separate text frame and setting the text inside to a larger Font Size.

Open the Text Wrap panel (Window > Text Wrap), click on the Wrap around Bounding Box option at the top of the window, and set the Offset width to 0.25 in. 

You can position the quote amongst the body text columns, pushing the text neatly away. 

text wraptext wraptext wrap
text wraptext wraptext wrap

Step 6

Lock the Type layer and unlock the bottom layer, Photos

Select the Rectangle Frame Tool (F) and drag across the page to create a whole-page image frame. 

image frameimage frameimage frame

File > Place, select an image, such as one of the faded lines backgrounds used here, and Open it, allowing it to fill the whole frame. 

faded lines imagefaded lines imagefaded lines image

Step 7

You can now use this spread as a basis for creating other spreads in your brochure. 

Unlock the Type and Graphics layers and select all the elements sitting on the spread. Copy them, scroll down to the next spread, and Edit > Paste in Place. 

Then you can start to play about with the arrangement of text on this second spread, as well as adjusting Font Color and the choice of icons, if needed, to create interest and contrast. 

quote on pagequote on pagequote on page
graphicsgraphicsgraphics

Create a new image frame on the left-hand page, beneath the transparent red rectangle, and File > Place a different image, such as this photo of a scientist.

scientist photoscientist photoscientist photo

Step 8

When you’ve finished populating the inside of your brochure, make sure to add a final touch to the back cover. 

The back cover is a good place to put contact details, for example. Set these in Chronograph SemiBold. 

contact pagecontact pagecontact page

5. How to Export Your Brochure InDesign Template for Printing

We're mostly finished with this tutorial on how to make a brochure in InDesign! All you need to do now is export the brochure InDesign template for printing.

Step 1

Go to File > Export and choose Adobe PDF (Print) from the Format menu at the bottom of the window. 

Name the file and click Save

In the Export Adobe PDF window that opens, choose [Press Quality] from the Adobe PDF Preset menu at the top, and make sure the document is set to Export As Pages, not Spreads. 

press qualitypress qualitypress quality

Step 2

Click on Marks and Bleeds in the window’s left-hand menu, and check both All Printer’s Marks and Use Document Bleed Settings.

Then you’re ready to click Export and create your press-ready brochure file. 

export adobe pdfexport adobe pdfexport adobe pdf

Great job! You can send this brochure InDesign template PDF straight off to the printers. 

Your Science Brochure Template in InDesign Is Completely Ready

final brochurefinal brochurefinal brochure

This modern and stylish science brochure template in InDesign can be used in its original style or as a versatile template for creating your own unique brochure design.

Why not try mixing up the fonts and color swatches for a fresh look?

If you need more stylish brochure InDesign templatesEnvato Elements has a huge range of modern and customizable styles. Check them out below!

5 Impressive Premium InDesign Brochure Templates on Envato Elements

This tutorial has helped you learn how to make a brochure in InDesign. However, you won't always have the time or energy to work on one from scratch. For this reason, you should turn to the premium editable InDesign brochure templates from Envato Elements.

Envato Elements is a monthly subscription service that unlocks access to thousands of premium digital assets. From top brochure InDesign templates to the best logos, photos, and website templates, you can find and download anything you need for your creative projects for a low monthly fee.

Square Template for an InDesign Brochure (INDD)

Square Template for an InDesign BrochureSquare Template for an InDesign BrochureSquare Template for an InDesign Brochure

Get your science project noticed with a square template for an InDesign brochure. With 32 pages, you'll have plenty of space to share your information in an appealing and comprehensive way.

Medicalfocus Trifold Brochure InDesign Template (AI, EPS, INDD, PSD)

Medicalfocus - Trifold Brochure InDesign TemplateMedicalfocus - Trifold Brochure InDesign TemplateMedicalfocus - Trifold Brochure InDesign Template

Medicalfocus is a versatile brochure template that you can adapt for any kind of business. It has a clean and modern layout, which will portray you as an expert in the field.

Flowery InDesign Brochure Template (AI, EPS, INDD, PSD)

Flowery - InDesign Brochure TemplateFlowery - InDesign Brochure TemplateFlowery - InDesign Brochure Template

There's a lot of power in minimalism, and you can witness that with this flowery design. This template comes with eight pages in A4 size. Use them to communicate your science information accurately.

Creative Brochure InDesign Template A5 Vol. 01 (INDD)

Creative Brochure InDesign Template A5 Vol. 01Creative Brochure InDesign Template A5 Vol. 01Creative Brochure InDesign Template A5 Vol. 01

Let's say you don't want to learn how to make a brochure in InDesign. You can still have an engaging science brochure. An option like this one gives you 16 custom pages so you can allow your project to speak for itself.

Lumina Trifold Template for an InDesign Brochure (INDD, PDF, PSD)

LUMINA - Trifold Template for an InDesign BrochureLUMINA - Trifold Template for an InDesign BrochureLUMINA - Trifold Template for an InDesign Brochure

A gorgeous and professional design can attract eyes and make your science project even more appealing and informative. Lumina offers enough space and an easily editable design, so you can get your message across effectively.

Discover More Brochure Resources and Tutorials From Envato Tuts+

In this tutorial, you've explored how to make a brochure in InDesign. If you want to learn more about brochures and find even more awesome resources, Envato Tuts+ has got you covered. Here, you'll get videos, tutorials, and even more brochure templates. Check them out!

Follow us on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel to continue learning and improving your creative projects:

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