Yes, Canada Post is an ideal option for brochure distribution. A few factors and requirements will need to be taken into account if Canada Post will be used, however. Firstly, there are the size and weight limitations per piece for each class of postage. The maximum size for Standard postage (as opposed to Oversized, which costs more) is 12"x6", and the maximum weight is 500 grams. For brochures, the weight restrictions are not as much of a factor as they would be for items like catalogs, where it would be much easier to reach that limit. However, the maximum dimensions can be an issue if the piece is designed at a size that would be too large. For example, a 17"x11" folded to 8.5"x11" would be too large. However, the size is measured when the piece is folded, not flat. This means that 11x17 could be folded differently to bring it down below the maximum of 12"x6". The other factor that will need to be considered is the bundling requirements. Canada Post requires the bundles to be no more than 6" thick. Still, the standard is to put 100 pieces per bundle (i.e. 10 bundles of 100 is 1000, rather than putting exactly 6" bundles and having to figure out how many that is). For items larger than 8.5"x5.5", Canada Post usually requires that the bundles have 2 elastics, or they might reject the mailing.

The sizes listed in the product configurator are the unfolded, flat size of the brochure. Most people design a brochure as a flat size, rather than one document per panel. The same flat size can be folded in many different ways. For example, a 14"x8.5" could be tri-folded, half-folded, 4-panel accordion folded, etc., with each option producing a different folded size.

The most common fold for a Brochure would be the classic Tri-Fold. This will be familiar from take-out menus, product pamphlets, promotional brochures at information centers, and many other applications. It is ideal for mailing and can easily be inserted into envelopes. A "Letterfold" is just a portrait Tri-Fold but has a different name because it is mostly used for letters and documents inserted into a #10 envelope. A frequent variation of the Tri-Fold is the Z-fold, where instead of the last panel being tucked into the brochure, it is folded outwards, forming a "Z" shape. Z-fold is usually chosen for bilingual items, as each side of the brochure can be a different language. When it is folded, you will see, for example, French on one side and English on the other. The second most popular fold would be the half-fold, as it is simple, easy, and economical. It is not as popular as the Tri-Fold because it only allows 4 panels in which to arrange content, rather than the 6 of a Tri- or Z-Fold. It is frequently used for newsletters, product handouts, and small maps or guides. It can also be used for inserts into catalogs, coupon flyers, or menus. Because there is only one fold, thicker stocks can be used, and additional finishes like lamination can be added without affecting the fold's functionality.

Yes, we are offering printing services on synthetic paper, you can see the instant pricing on our online store and place the order from the Waterproof Brochures product page.

The options available on our site are the most common options for brochures and will cover most applications. However, if you have a custom project with a fold that is not listed on the site, you can email [email protected] to see if the fold can be done and for a custom quote.

Suppose you are comparing paper and size options and see the fold you want is no longer available. In that case, the fold is not compatible with either the size or the paper that you have chosen. For example, a Quarter Fold is possible on a 10pt or 12pt card stock, but not on 14pt. Quarter Fold requires the paper to be folded until there are 4 layers at the central fold, and the 14pt is too thick.  Another example would be the Double Gate Fold, which is not available for 11"x8.5" or 9"x12" but is available for 8.5"x14" and up. The 4 panels on a Double Gate Fold are not the same size. There needs to be sufficient length for the two outer panels to be shorter than the inside panels, but still large enough for a reasonable amount of content.

As with most items, a minimum of 0.125" or 1/8" margin should be allowed from all cut edges. With Brochures, all important content should also be a minimum of 0.125" or 1/8" from all folds. This is for aesthetic reasons as well as practical ones. Suppose there is a nice even margin around the content. In that case, it will be pleasingly centered on each panel and it will look more professional. It also helps delineate the content on each panel. It makes sure that nothing will fall into any of the folds or run over onto another panel. This can be especially problematic if the panel in question is on the outside, and the content runs onto one of the inside panels so that it is only fully visible when the brochure is unfolded.

You can use our design templates to help you get started. Choose your product options on the brochures product page, and once you are done with the selection, you will automatically get 3 design files that correspond to your selected product options. These files can be found for download on the right side of your screen. They are all the same files, but 3 different file types (AI, IDML and PDF), depending on which software you use for your design. These files contain guides that indicate where the folds are, as well as the orientation of the panels and the safe zones.

No, trim marks are not required. The PDF file needs to be exported at the exact size as per the order, with a 0.125'' bleed added to all four sides.

The easiest way is to use a pricing calculator on the product page. If you are looking for something that is not on the site, please let us know the specifications and we can provide the price.

You would need to send us a rough mock-up of the brochure, it would help in determining if it is possible, as well as the price.

Margins and Columns are important tools for creating the structure of a document, whether it is a multipage document or a poster. The first that should be defined are the margins. Before this is done, it is important to understand their function. Visually, margins cage the content and support the structure of a layout. They provide a resting place for the reader's eyes as well as supporting the tone of the design. There are also some common practical functions to consider:  How much room is needed for holding the content?  How is the item going to be used? Will it be bound?  Are there other considerations that need to be taken into account? One example would be a street poster/advertisement where the print is held in a large frame, requiring oversized margins. Has enough "Safe" margin bee allowed? This is the distance between the edge of the piece and any elements to ensure nothing is cut off.When defining margins for facing-pages, the two pages should be treat as one document and appear together. This layout will typically be used for newsletters, reports, magazines etc. Margins are usually set in the following order: inside (smallest), top, outside and bottom (largest).  Start by going to File > New > Document. Within the floating palette three quarters of the way down is the margin section  
Changing Margins 
Once the margins are set using the new document palette, it is possible to redefine them. Make sure to select the pages to be edited. Check this by opening the Pages palette, if it is not open go to Window > Pages. 

Once the palette is open hold down Shift and click the pages to be edited and go to layout > Margins and columns. Within this option box the measurements can be edited. By using this method it is possible to have different margin setups on each individual page, just select one or a number of pages still holding down shift and go into the Margins and Columns palette. The pages which were not selected will remain the same.  How to Make Columns in InDesign
1. First, load an existing InDesign project or select "File" > "New" to start a new one. In the New Document window, choose the Number of Pages and Page Size, and then find the Columns section. 

Here, the number of columns to add on each page can be defined, and how much blank space to have between columns (the Gutter setting). InDesign will automatically adjust the columns so that the gutter width is maintained throughout the project.        

2. If the document is an existing project, it only takes a few steps to add new columns. First, find the Pages menu and double-click on the page that need to be edited. Click on the page that the columns are to be added to, and then choose "Layout" > "Margins and Columns" (or press Ctrl/Command+B). In the Columns section, the desired number of columns and gutter width can be added.   

3. Finally, any overset text in the project can be placed in a new column. To do this, draw a text frame next to an existing column, choose the Selection tool, and click on the overset text icon (it looks like a red + symbol). Move the cursor over the new text frame until it changes shape, and then click once. Now, the overset text will continue into this new column.  

How to Add Columns to a Text Frame
To create columns in an existing text frame, choose the Selection tool and click on a frame to select it. Then, go to "Object" > "Text Frame Options". Just like the Margins and Columns window, this dialog box allows the number of columns, the gutter width, and column width to be defines. If "Fixed Column Width" is selected, the column width will stay the same when the text frame is resized. Finally, if "Balanced Columns" is enabled, the text will be dispersed between columns so that each text block is the same length. 
 
How to Add Columns to Master/Spread Pages
To add columns to multiple pages across an InDesign project, first find the Pages menu and click on a master page. If only one spread is to be targeted, just click on the page numbers that comprise the entire spread. Next, choose "Layout" > "Margins and Columns", and adjust the columns and gutter width for that spread.