The short version: free brochure templates come from Microsoft Word, Canva, Venngage and Visme. Decide the fold first, bi-fold or tri-fold, then pick the tool that exports the file you need. Microsoft says you can save, download or share a Word brochure as a PDF or a shareable link, and Venngage and Visme both list a free plan on their own sites.
This isn't a list of brochure software. It's about where to grab a ready-made template today, fill it in and get it to a printer or an inbox without starting from a blank page. I've seen plenty of small businesses lose a week to a brochure that should've taken an afternoon, and nearly always it's because they picked a layout before deciding how it would be folded or sent.
Brochure template libraries worth opening
In no particular order:
- Microsoft Word: best if you already work in Word and want a free, customisable template you can download as a PDF.
- Canva: best for printable designs, with its own print service that delivers brochures pre-folded.
- Venngage: best for editable tri-fold and bi-fold layouts, or an AI Brochure Generator if you'd like a first draft from a prompt.
- Visme: best for a brochure you'll share both in print and digitally.
Brochure sources and what their free plans say
| Source | Best for | Free plan (as of Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | Printable designs and a print service | Not stated |
| Microsoft Word | Word users who want a PDF or share link | Not stated |
| Venngage | Tri-fold and bi-fold layouts, plus AI | Yes |
| Visme | Brochures shared in print and online | Yes |
Pages and plans change, so check the vendor's own page before you rely on a limit.
The catch: a brochure is a fold and a file
A brochure template is really two decisions wearing one name. The first is the fold. Venngage lists editable layouts in both tri-fold and bi-fold formats, and Canva describes its tri-fold print product as six panels, three on each side, that fold inward. Change the fold and you change how many panels you've got to fill, what the reader sees first and where your call to action lands.
The second decision is the file. Microsoft's Word brochure page says you double-click a template to edit it, then save, download or share it as a PDF or a shareable link. Visme says you personalise a template in its online brochure maker and share it via print or digitally. A printer usually wants one thing and an email wants another, so it's worth knowing which you need before you start.
My advice: choose the fold, then the tool that exports what your printer or inbox needs. Doing it the other way round is how you end up rebuilding the same brochure twice. Designers who'd rather build the layout in a graphic editor can compare Kittl alternatives.
Bi-fold or tri-fold: what the fold changes
A tri-fold gives you six panels, which suits a service menu, a step-by-step process or a short story about your business that unfolds as the reader opens it. It also fits neatly into a rack or an envelope. A bi-fold gives you fewer, larger panels, which works better for big photos, a product range or an event programme where you want more room and less text.
Think about the panel the reader sees first. On a tri-fold, that's the front cover, and the inside flap is often the second thing they read, so it deserves a strong line rather than your contact details. If you're making a single-sheet piece instead, my guide to designing a leaflet for print covers the same thinking for flat formats.
From template to printed brochure, step by step
- Decide the fold and the size before you browse a single template.
- Pick a source. Word is quickest if you live in Office, and Venngage and Visme both list a free plan.
- Write your copy outside the template first: one headline, a short benefit per panel and one clear next step.
- Open the template and swap in your logo, colours, photos and copy. Microsoft says you just double-click a Word brochure template to start editing.
- Print one copy at home, fold it and read it in the order a stranger would.
- Export the file your printer asks for, or a PDF or share link for email.
Printing it or sending it as a link
If you want someone else to handle the printing, Canva runs a print service that it says delivers brochures pre-folded and ready to use, and its page describes a Happiness Guarantee where it'll refund, reprint or offer a coupon if you're not happy. Either way, order a single proof before a full run, because a typo on a folded panel is far easier to spot in your hand than on a screen. If you'd rather print locally, a PDF from Word, Venngage or Visme is the simplest file to hand over.
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Already working in Canva? My walkthrough on how to make a brochure in Canva takes you through it screen by screen. And if you've outgrown templates and want full layout control, these InDesign alternatives are worth a look.
If brochures, flyers and sales sheets are eating your team's week, I can help you build a faster way to produce them. I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement and workflow automation, so the busywork runs itself and people get time back. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free brochure templates?
Microsoft Word, Canva, Venngage and Visme all offer brochure templates. Venngage and Visme each list a free plan on their own sites.
Does Word have free brochure templates?
Yes. Microsoft's Word brochure page offers free, customisable templates. You double-click one to edit it, then save, download or share it as a PDF or a shareable link.
What is the difference between a bi-fold and a tri-fold brochure?
Venngage lists both as editable layouts. Canva describes its tri-fold as six panels, three on each side, that fold inward, while a bi-fold folds once and gives you fewer, larger panels.
Can I print a brochure I made from a free template?
Yes. Visme says you can share a brochure via print or digitally, Word lets you download it as a PDF, and Canva runs a print service that delivers brochures pre-folded.
Do I need design skills to use a brochure template?
No. Microsoft pitches its free templates as a way to skip hiring a graphic designer, and Venngage's AI Brochure Generator creates ready-to-edit designs from a prompt.
