Creating a booklet can be a fun activity for a rainy day, or it can also be an important part of your professional experience. However, there are many different ways to create a booklet, whether you decide to do it by hand or with the help of a computer.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating a Booklet by Hand
Step 1. Fold two A4-size sheets in half
One of the two will be the cover, the other will be the back. Both sheets will form the center pages of the booklet. Fold them in half for the narrow side.
Step 2. Cut notches along the fold of one of the sheets
Make sure you make two equal incisions at the top and bottom of the fold, about 3 centimeters long.
Step 3. Fold the other sheet in half vertically
Do not complete the fold, just pinch the point at the fold already made with your fingers. This way the pages of the booklet will be perfectly smooth.
Fold it in half for the long side
Step 4. Cut along the crease until there is only about 3 cm from each of the two edges
This way you should get a sheet with a hole in the middle, in which you will have to insert the other sheet (the one with the notches).
Step 5. Insert the first sheet into the hole
The most important thing is to make sure that the notches allow the sheet to unfold completely once it is inserted. The higher the accuracy, the more steady the pages of the booklet will be.
It can be helpful to roll up the paper slightly with the notches, so you don't risk bending or tearing it as you insert it into the hole. Roll it vertically so that the corners match up
Step 6. Add the pages you need
The booklet made as indicated above will have 8 pages, including the cover and the back. You can add as many pages as you want (don't overdo it though: too many pages could tear the center hole).
- Fold one sheet horizontally. Cut notches about 3 cm along the crease at both ends.
- Grab your booklet and find the page showing the center hole (depends on the number of pages in the booklet).
- Insert the new page into the hole, rolling it slightly to make it easier to insert.
- Repeat the operation until you reach the desired number of pages.
Part 2 of 3: Create a Booklet in Microsoft Word
Step 1. Open the Page Setup window
You need to change Word settings before you can create your booklet. You can turn a document you've already written into a booklet, but it's best to create the layout first and then insert the content.
Find the Page Layout tab. It should be in the corner of the Page Settings tab
Step 2. Change the setting from multiple pages to booklet
You can find this option in the Page Settings under Margins. You need to open the drop-down menu and change from Normal to Booklet.
Step 3. Change the Binding settings
You don't have to do this, but it is a good practice to set the Binding margin to 1, so that the writing is not too close to the center fold.
Step 4. Save your settings after making all changes
You can begin to get an idea of what your booklet will look like. At this point you just need to add the content (or make sure the content looks the way you want it).
You can change anything you don't like, and you can add anything you want (like page numbers for example)
Step 5. Print your document
You will need to print on both sides of the sheets, otherwise your booklet will have many blank pages. You can set up your printer to do this automatically, or you can do it manually (you will have to feed the sheets into the printer one by one).
If you decide for the manual method, be sure to insert the sheets in the right direction. If you're not careful you may end up with a few pages upside down
Step 6. Fold the booklet
Make sure you assemble the pages in the correct order. For this it can be useful to number the pages. It is best to fold the sheets individually and join them later.
You can staple the sheets together along the fold
Step 7. Download beautifully designed templates
The method just described is the basic one for creating a booklet in Word, but on the internet you can find many templates that you can use to unleash your creativity.
Part 3 of 3: Making your Booklet Professional
Step 1. Match the style of your booklet with its purpose
For a booklet, especially if it's a professional project, you need to make sure you only provide an overview of the topic. You have to try to inform the reader, and grab their attention.
- A city booklet should provide some general history information, a map with places of interest, and phone numbers that might be useful to a tourist.
- A booklet could also be something to leave at the end of a meeting to provide reminders about the topics just covered, or to provide answers to certain requests (for example, if you offer a specific product, with a booklet you could provide the main information to potential buyers.
- There are also some types of booklets made for people who find themselves waiting in line. This type should be particularly attractive, both in graphics and in content, to grab attention.
Step 2. Use beautiful images
Everyone likes images, no one excluded. When choosing which images to put in a booklet, keep a few things in mind. The images need to be eye-catching to grab attention, but they also need to be related to the topic of the booklet.
- For example: you may want to create an information booklet about your rafting company. On the cover you should put a color photo that shows the best your company has to offer (for example a group of tourists rafting in a fascinating place).
- If you don't have the ability to print in color, make sure your images look good in black and white as well.
Step 3. Information should be short and concise
You have to communicate to the reader only the basics, whether it is tourism or business. Dense pages of text may turn the reader away.
Break up information using titles and subtitles. Information is best assimilated if organized in small blocks, each with its own title
Step 4. Make sure the odd pages are on the right side
It may seem like a small thing, but it helps to give the idea of quality. Page numbering always begins with the first on the right.
Step 5. Get the reader to open the booklet
The goal of a professional booklet is to win over readers. The information you enter must find an audience.
It is important to have an effective slogan on the cover, so that potential readers are enticed to read the rest as well
Advice
- If you have a booklet to sell a product or service, make sure your contact information is prominently displayed.
- Experiment with the booklet before making it public. Check that there are no errors and that the text is aligned correctly.
