In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a free tri-fold brochure template in Affinity Publisher. Adaptable for a range of businesses and purposes, this Affinity Publisher brochure template is simple to create and features contemporary colors and typography.
This tutorial comes complete with a downloadable free brochure template for both Adobe InDesign and Affinity Publisher, allowing you to quickly create your own unique tri-fold brochure template.
Follow along with this tutorial over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel, where you can find more Affinity tutorials:
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What You Will Learn in This Brochure Tutorial
- How to set up blank brochure templates for print in Affinity Publisher.
- How to create layers and color swatches and work with images in your Publisher brochure templates.
- How to use blending modes and format typography on your brochure templates in Affinity Publisher.
- How to export your tri-fold flyer template as a press-ready PDF, ready for printing.
Looking for more Affinity Publisher templates, InDesign brochure templates, and blank brochure templates? Don’t miss the wide selection of brochure templates on Envato Elements.
What You’ll Need to Create Your Tri-Fold Brochure Template
In this Affinity Publisher tutorial, we’ll be using the software to create our three-fold brochure template. If you’re an InDesign user, you can download the InDesign brochure template below.
As well as access to Affinity Publisher, you’ll also need to download the following fonts and images from Envato Elements to recreate the tri-fold brochure template pictured here:
I also used these images for the interior design tri-fold brochure template (pictured in the tutorial):
1. How to Set Up Your Blank Brochure Template in Affinity Publisher
Step 1
Open Publisher, and go to File > New.
Select Print from the options along the top of the window. Set the Page width to 11 in and Page height to 8.5 in. Increase the Number of pages to 2. This is our brochure templates' blank canvas.
Step 2
From the Margins options, set a margin width of 0.375 in for all sides of the page. Add a Bleed width of 0.125 in.
Then click Create.
Step 3
To mark out the folds in our brochure template, make sure the rulers are visible (View > Show Rulers).
Double-click on Master A in the Pages panel (View > Studio > Pages), and pull out a guide from the left-hand ruler to 3.66 in.
Then pull out a second guide to 7.33 in.
Step 4
To make sure we place content centrally on each section of the tri-fold brochure, we can add margin lines on either side of each fold.
Pull out guides to 3.29 in, 4.05 in, 6.95 in, and 7.69 in. Guides help us understand how to distribute our brochure template's blank space.
Step 5
Go to the Swatches panel (View > Studio > Swatches) and choose Add Global Colour from the drop-down menu in the top-right corner.
Name the swatch Off-White and set the levels below to C=3 M=1 Y=4 K=0. Then click Add.
Repeat to create two more swatches:
- Navy: C=100 M=89 Y=39 K=32
- Orange: C=3 M=82 Y=97 K=0
Step 6
Double-click on Page 1 in the Pages panel to go back to the pages of your document.
Go to the Layers panel (View > Studio > Layers) and rename Layer 1 as Background.
Click on the Add Layer button at the bottom right of the panel. Name this second layer Images and Color. Repeat to create a third layer, naming this Text.
Select both the Text and Images and Color layers and lock them by clicking the padlock icon at top right.
2. How to Add Color and Images to Your Affinity Publisher Brochure Template
Step 1
Working on the Background layer, select the Rectangle Tool (M) from the Tools panel and drag across the whole of Page 1, extending the edges up to the bleed.
From the Swatches panel, set the Fill Color to Off-White.
Step 2
Use the Rectangle Tool to create a second shape on Page 1, across the central and right-hand section of the trifold brochure.
Set the Fill to Orange.
Step 3
Switch to the Picture Frame Rectangle Tool (F) and create a frame across the bottom half of Page 1, across the left-hand and central section.
Go to File > Place, choose an image, such as this one, and click Open.
Double-click inside the picture frame to select the image directly, and scale it until you’re happy with the position.
Step 4
Select the picture frame and Edit > Copy, Edit > Paste it, moving the copy up to the top-right corner of the tri-fold brochure template.
Use File > Place to replace the image with a different one, such as this one.
Step 5
Use the Rectangle Tool to create a shape across the bottom of the central section, setting the Fill to Navy.
From the Colour panel (View > Studio > Colour), reduce the Opacity to 80%.
Step 6
Select the navy shape and Copy and Paste it, moving it directly above the original. Switch the Fill to Orange.
In the Layers panel, choose Multiply for the Blending Mode.
Step 7
Select the image frame at the top-right of Page 1, and Edit > Copy it.
Scroll down to Page 2 and Edit > Paste, expanding the picture frame to fill the whole page of the tri-fold brochure template and scaling the image inside to fit it.
Step 8
Select the navy rectangle on Page 1 and Copy it, pasting it onto Page 2.
Select the orange shape on the central section of Page 1 and Copy that too, pasting onto Page 2. Resize it so it fits across the whole of the left-hand section of the tri-fold brochure.
Paste again, moving the orange shape over to the right-hand section and scaling it to fill the lower two thirds of the section.
3. How to Format Stylish Typography for Your Affinity Publisher Brochure Template
Step 1
Lock the Text and Color layer and unlock the top layer, Text.
Select the Frame Text Tool (T) and drag across the bottom of the far-right section of Page 1, using the margin guides to position the frame.
Type in the brochure title, and from the Character and Paragraph panels (View > Studio > Character), set the Font to Mondia, Size 52 pt, and Align Center.
Set the Font Colour to Off-White.
Add a subtitle below the heading, set in CA Saygon Text, Size 10 pt.
Step 2
Over the blue shape, create another text frame for a sub-heading, setting the Font to Mondia, Size 20 pt, and Align Left.
From the Typography panel, check the All Caps icon.
Create a larger text frame below this for body text, setting the Font to CA Saygon Text, Size 10 pt.
Add a pull-quote above, set in Mondia, Size 19 pt, Align Right.
Step 3
The white space at the top of the left-hand section is a good place for contact details.
Set subtitles in Mondia, 20 pt, and a Navy Font Color.
Body text should be CA Saygon Text, 10 pt.
Step 4
Select the sub-heading and body text frame on the central section of Page 1, and Copy them.
Scroll down to Page 2 and Paste.
Paste again, moving this over to the top of the left-hand section.
You can also add more pull quotes or reviews at the top of the right-hand section on Page 2.
Step 5
If you want to add a logo to the front cover of your tri-fold brochure template, unlock the Images and Color layer, and extend the right edge of the orange shape at the top of Page 1, hitting about halfway across the right-hand section.
You can either File > Place a logo or create an icon using the shape tools in Publisher, such as the Ellipse Tool (M).
4. How to Export Your Tri-Fold Brochure Template for Print
Step 1
When you’ve finished working on your Affinity Publisher brochure template, it’s time to export your artwork as a PDF, ready for sending to print.
Make sure to File > Save your work, before going to File > Export.
In the window that opens, choose PDF from the icon options at the top, and select PDF (press ready) from the Preset menu.
Make sure the Raster DPI is set to 300, and that the Include Bleed box is checked.
Then click Export.
Step 2
Name your file, select a folder to save it into, and then hit Save.
You can send the exported PDF straight off to the printers—awesome work!
Conclusion: Your Finished Tri-Fold Brochure Template
Your Affinity Publisher brochure template is finished—great job!
In this Affinity Publisher tutorial, you’ve picked up a wide range of skills and techniques for creating Affinity Publisher templates, from setting up blank brochure templates in Affinity Publisher to creating color swatches, placing images, and formatting typography to create a stylish and contemporary Affinity Publisher brochure template.
If you want to compare your tri-fold brochure design with my own, make sure to download the completed Affinity Publisher tri-fold brochure template. It’s also available as an InDesign brochure template.
It’s quick and easy to customise your Affinity Publisher brochure template further, by swapping in different color swatches, fonts, and images.
The corporate tri-fold brochure design below uses a few different images and a yellow color palette to create a unique style:
- Office supplies
- Business people interacting
- Smiling group of coworkers
- Business woman speaking at conference
Looking for more Affinity Publisher templates, blank brochure templates, tri-fold brochure templates and InDesign brochure templates? Discover a wide selection of InDesign brochure templates, Affinity Publisher brochure templates, and more on Envato Elements.
5 Affinity Publisher Trifold Brochure Templates
There are many free tri-fold brochure templates out there on the internet. But, if you have the budget to work with, nothing matches the features of an Envato Elements brochure template.
1. Trifold Blank Brochure Template (PSD)
If your looking for blank brochure templates that serve as a canvas to communicate your business idea, this template is for you. This blank brochure template comes with beautifully designed visuals.
2. The Brochure Template (INDD)
A blank brochure template can offer you great possibilities on how to tailor your content. This template includes fresh spreads, cleanly design icons, and an organized layout. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from creating a professional brochure like this.
3. Business Consulting Tri-Fold A5 Brochure Template (PSD)
Show how professional and put together your business is with this blank pamphlet template. The text spaces are neatly distributed throughout the layout. Free tri-fold brochure templates rarely offer such high-quality icons and design aesthetics.
4. Blank Trifold Brochure Template (PSD)
Global businesses and creative teams will find this blank trifold brochure template incredibly useful to get potential clients in the loop of what their business can offer. Free tri-fold brochure templates don't offer the robust features and editing capabilities that this template includes.
5. Brochure Template Blank (PSD)
Premium blank pamphlet templates help you with a solid foundation to design your trifold brochure. This template comes with an out-of-the-box layout that lets you play with sizing and placement. It's also print-ready.
Learn More About Affinity Publisher With These Resources
Eager to develop your Affinity Publisher skills further? Don’t miss these tips and tutorials:
Affinity Publisher: Your Guide to InDesign’s New Rival
How to Create a Stylish Magazine Layout in Affinity Publisher
How to Create a Table of Contents in Affinity Publisher
How to Insert an Image in Affinity Publisher
52 Best Affinity Publisher Templates (Including Brochure Templates)
How Do You Spell Check in Affinity Publisher?
