How to Design a Video Brochure with Our Templates: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a professional, high-impact video brochure starts with a great design, and that begins with our templates. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or new to print layouts, this guide will walk you through every step to ensure your artwork is press-ready and perfectly aligned with our production standards.
1. Start with the Right Tools
We highly recommend using Adobe Illustrator as your design application. It provides the most accurate control over print settings, layers, and vector artwork. Photoshop can also be used, but Illustrator is ideal for template-based designs.
Set your document to CMYK color mode right from the start. This ensures color consistency when your brochure goes to print.
Pro Tip: Always work on a separate layer from the template. The template layer contains cutting and folding guidelines.
Set your document to CMYK in Illustrator
2. Artwork Setup Best Practices
Here are the key things to check before you start designing:
- Add Bleed: Extend all background artwork 0.125 inches beyond the red lines of the template. This “bleed” ensures no white edges appear after trimming.
- Use High-Quality Assets: Always use vector graphics or images with a resolution of 300 DPI for the best print results.
- Embed Your Images: Linked files often get lost or fail to print. Use the Links Panel in Illustrator to confirm that all images are embedded.
- Outline All Fonts: Convert text to outlines to avoid font compatibility issues.
- Save Your Files Properly: We accept AI or PDF formats. Ensure all assets are included and properly packaged if using Illustrator.
Extend background elements 0.125 inches beyond the red trim lines
3. Planning Your Button Layout
If your brochure includes buttons (common for brochures 7″ x 5″ and larger), keep these guidelines in mind:
- You can fully customize the button design to match your branding.
- Maintain at least 9mm (0.35 inches) of space around each button, and between buttons, screen edges, and the brochure borders.
Buttons are fully customizable
4. Optional: Mailer Box Design
Designing a mailer box? This step only applies if you’ve ordered a custom-printed mailer box for distribution:
- This box is intended for mail delivery.
- Leave one full side blank for the shipping label, no text or graphics.
Leave one full side blank for the shipping label
5. You’re Ready to Go!
Following these steps will help ensure your video brochure is not only visually stunning but also production-ready. If you have questions or need help with design services, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to make sure your message looks and sounds amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions – Video Brochure Design
Can I customize the design of my video brochure?
Absolutely! You can design the front, back, inside page, and the screen page. The entire brochure can be designed according to your branding and vision.
What parts of the brochure can I design?
You will provide the design for the entire video brochure, including the screen part, the mailer box (if ordering video mailers), and even the USB cable box (when available).
What design services do you offer?
We can help design your video brochure from concept to completion. Our design services include: Creating custom artwork, developing interactive elements, optimizing video content for the brochure format, and incorporating your brand elements.
What are the standard sizes for video brochures?
In addition to fully custom sizes, we offer a variety of standard sizes, including 5.7″ x 4.1″, 5″ x 7″, 8.25″ x 5.75″, 8.25″ x 8.25″, and 11.25″ x 8.25″.
What types of covers are available?
For your video brochure, you can choose from hardcover or softcover options. Hardcover provides a more durable and premium feel, while softcover is a lighter and more cost-effective option.
Can I print my own design on the video brochure?
Yes. We will provide design templates and guidelines based on your requirements to ensure your artwork meets our printing specifications. You provide your own artwork to be printed on the video brochure.
What printing techniques do you offer?
Our brochures are printed on offset printers. Special printing techniques we offer include Spot UV coating, Foil stamping, and Debossing.
What lamination options are available?
You can choose from matt or gloss lamination for your video brochure. Soft-touch lamination is also available for an extra fee.
Can I customize the buttons on my video brochure?
Yes, you can customize the buttons on your video brochure. You can choose the number of buttons, their functions (e.g., play/pause, volume control, next/previous video), and even their placement on the brochure.
Can I add a touchscreen to my video brochure?
Yes, touchscreen functionality is available for our 7-inch and 10-inch video brochures. This allows for a more interactive and engaging user experience.
Can I have a custom size or custom shape brochure?
Yes, your imagination is the limit. Contact us for specific requirements.
What file formats are required for submitting my design and video content?
For optimal print quality, we prefer design files in Illustrator formats like AI, EPS, or high-resolution PDF. For video content, we recommend MP4 format to ensure compatibility and smooth playback. Specific resolution and encoding guidelines will be provided with our templates.
Can you help with optimizing my video content for the brochure screen?
Yes, our team can assist with optimizing your video content. This includes ensuring proper resolution, aspect ratio, file size, and encoding settings for the best possible playback quality on the video brochure screen.
What are the options for paper stock and finishes beyond lamination?
Besides our standard paper stock, we may offer premium paper options or unique finishes (e.g., linen texture, leather) that can add a unique experience to your brochure. Please inquire about available specialty paper stocks.
Can I include interactive elements like a custom menu?
On touchscreen models, we can develop custom interactive menus that allow users to select different videos or sections. For non-touchscreen models, button programming can create a sequential interactive experience.
What is the process for reviewing and approving my design proofs?
Once you submit your design files, we will create digital proofs for your review and approval before proceeding to production. This process typically involves reviewing print layout and color accuracy (on-screen). Physical proofs are available for an additional fee.
Is there a template available for me to create my own design?
Yes, we provide precise design templates specific to your chosen brochure size and screen configuration. These templates include guidelines for safe print areas and screen placement to ensure your artwork is perfectly aligned.
