Brochures come in many styles and layouts. The most common is the tri-fold brochure. However, you should free to choose a different layout depending on the information you are providing.  Now that you have a topic narrowed down, you can begin writing copy. Pay attention to how many sections you need. Create an outline to help you discover how much room you'll need. In a typical tri-fold brochure, a piece of landscape paper is divided into 6 sections. Sections 2, 3, and 4 are your inside sections and usually contain the most valuable information. Section 2 is the inside flap and usually contains broad information with questions and answers. This information compels the reader to believe that the product will be the answer to any problems the reader has. Sections 3, and 4 typically expand and go deeper. These sections explain the information, affirming the reader that a solution is contained within your brochure.   Section 1 is the front cover. This area entices readers to pick up your brochure. It often depicts an image that conjures up positive feelings. The aim of your front flap is to make the reader open your brochure. There should also be a line or two of copy that promises the reader a benefit. Section 5 is the back flap and usually contains testimonials and coupons. Section 6, which is the middle back third, usually contains contact information like a phone number, website, and map. There are plenty of folding types and layouts when it comes to brochures.  Some brochures are more like books or pamphlets. Some include inserts or cutouts. Don’t feel like your brochure has to be a typical tri-fold. The organization of information is essentially the same whatever your layout. The front is used to depict a lifestyle that can be achieved by the product or service within the brochure. The next pages contain answers and offers. And the last sections provide incentives to move forward and contact information. Whatever style or layout you choose, you need to make the most of the physical space. This means finding a balance between words and images.  While your copy provides readers with valuable information, you don’t want to fill entire pages or sections with blocks of text. No one will read your brochures if you write too much. This is where pictures and graphs help you. Don’t make your text size smaller to accommodate more words. If you can’t fit what you want to say on a page or section, you’re saying too much. Pictures and graphs are a great visual way to provide valuable information. You can also include little blurbs of text that explain a photo or graph. Your front cover is what will get people to pick up your brochure. An eye-catching photo or graphic is more effective than a bunch of text.  Use a photo that showcases the product or service you are selling. Depict people enjoying your products or services. Along with a great photo, be sure to include text that speaks directly to the reader. Ask a question or state a benefit that someone picking up your brochure will want. A tagline and a line or two of text on your cover give readers enough information to pick up your brochure. It also creates just enough mystery to entice readers to flip to the next page or section. On the inner panels, use headings to break up long blocks of text. Brochures have limited space and you don’t want to use up all the space with long blocks of text.  Too much text looks intimidating to the reader. Instead of long paragraphs or sections, keep sections and sentences short. Bulleted or numbered lists further separate the text and make information easy to digest. These elements will also bring the readers’ eyes into the brochure.   Use bold headers to separate sections and break up your brochure. Provide different types of content and information for different sections. If you talk about appliances in one section of your custom built kitchen brochure, use another panel or section to showcase another aspect of your offerings like lighting or cabinets. Breaking up your brochure into sections allows readers to compartmentalize information. Sections help the flow of information and keep readers interested without getting overwhelmed.

Summary: Choose a layout. Capitalize your real estate. Use the front cover or panel to entice readers. Break up information by sections.


This lantern is perfect for those who like working with glue. Because it requires so much glue, however, you will need to give it some time to dry. If you are in a hurry, this might not be the right choice for you; the lantern will need at least a day to dry. Here's what you'll need to make this lantern:  Balloon Tissue paper (white and red/yellow) Scissors (optional) Paintbrush or foam brush White school glue Water Black or gold permanent marker (optional) String Hole puncher Battery-operated tea light Not too big or it may pop. You will need some white tissue paper for the first few layers; this will make your lamp glow brighter. You will also need some red or yellow tissue paper for the last two to three layers. You can even use both colors, if you want. Be sure to keep the white tissue paper separate from the other colors. This will be your papier mâché paste. Make sure that you are using white school glue, as the clear type won't work. Dip your paintbrush or foam brush into the glue mixture and dab some glue onto the balloon. You don't need a lot of glue—just a thin layer. This will give the tissue paper something to hold on to. You can use your fingers, if you don't mind getting dirty, or your paintbrush/foam brush. Try to get the paper as smooth as possible. Be sure to leave some room near the bottom of the balloon where the knot is. You can to be able to reach inside the lantern, once it dries and you pop the balloon. Consider keeping your balloon in a bowl; this will help keep it still and prevent it from rolling all over the place. Be sure to let the first layer dry a little bit before you add another. If your balloon starts to get too soggy, set it aside. You may also notice that after enough layers, you may not need to use much glue if at all; the lower layers will help soak up the upper layers. You are adding so many layers to make your lantern sturdy. If you don't use enough layers, your lamp will turn out flimsy. This may take 1 to 2 days. The lantern must be completely dry before you move on to the next step, or it will cave in on itself. You can use a black or gold permanent marker to draw a Chinese character on the lantern. You can also draw designs on the lantern using glue, and then sprinkle gold glitter over the glue. If you use glue to decorate the lantern, be sure to let it dry before moving on to the next step. This is now the top of your lantern. If the lantern caves in on itself, simply reach inside, and pop it back out into shape. At this point, you can also use some scissors to clean up the edges of the tissue paper. They need to be straight across from each other, or the lantern won't balance right. Tie the ends of the string together into a tight knot. Switch on a battery-operated tea light and drop it into the lantern. You don't want to use a real candle or a light bulb, as both can lead to a fire. Use the string to hang the lantern.
Summary: Gather your materials. Blow up a balloon. Cut or tear some colored tissue paper into small squares of thin strips. Mix 1 part glue and 1 part water together in a bowl. Start applying the white tissue paper pieces to the balloon. Place a piece of white tissue paper over the glue and smooth it down. Keep going until the entire balloon is covered. Add two more layers of white tissue paper. Add two to three more layers of your other color. Let the lantern dry. Decorate the lantern. Pop the balloon and pull it out through the hole. Use a hole puncher to poke two holes in the top of the lantern. Thread a long piece of string through both holes. Insert the light and hang the lantern.