Create a PDF brochure yourself: from A4 to folded leaflet

2 min read·25 July 2026

Printing and folding your own brochure on A4 is easier than you think. Learn how to convert a PDF into a professional folded brochure.

Types of brochures

The most common formats: tri-fold (leaflet — 1 A4 in 3 equal folds), bi-fold (A4 folded in half to A5 format), booklet (multiple A4 sheets folded and stapled). Each type has a different layout order that is correct for printing and folding.

Print a booklet with PDFrust

For an A5 booklet of multiple pages use the Booklet tool on PDFrust. Upload your document (multiple A4 pages), choose "Booklet" and download a PDF with pages in the correct imposition order. Print double-sided and fold in the middle. PDFrust handles the imposition (page order for double-sided printing) automatically.

Create PDF booklet

Try for free — no account needed

Try it now →

Multiple pages per sheet (N-up)

For a tri-fold leaflet you place 3 panels on one A4 sheet. Use the N-up tool: 3-up on A4 landscape. Each panel is then 99 mm wide — the standard A4 tri-fold format. Create the panels in your design program at 99 × 210 mm and export as separate pages; PDFrust places them in the correct order.

Setting up double-sided printing

Brochures are always printed double-sided. Use the Duplex tool on PDFrust to set the page order for automatic double-sided printing. Choose "Flip on long edge" for portrait documents. Always test with one sheet before printing the full run.

Compress for digital distribution

A brochure PDF with photos can be large. Compress the file before emailing or placing on a website. Use the Compress tool. Target for digital brochures: < 2 MB (email), < 5 MB (website download). Higher quality (> 5 MB) for print shops — they want original quality.