Still Using Outdated Designs to Print Brochures? Read This First

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Why Modern South African Businesses Must Rethink How They Print Brochures

If you’re still using the same templates from five years ago to print brochures, it’s time for a reality check. At Print It ZA, we’ve worked with countless South African businesses that didn’t realise how much a dated design was hurting their brand image—until they switched to something more modern, bold, and on-brand.

Brochures are often the first tangible touchpoint a customer has with your business. If your design looks like it was whipped up in Microsoft Word back in 2009, you’re sending the wrong message. In a competitive economy, print brochures should do more than just inform—they should impress, persuade, and convert.

What Makes a Brochure Design Outdated?

Outdated brochures are surprisingly easy to spot. They often include:

  • Too much text crammed into tight spaces
  • Dull stock images or low-res logos
  • Poor layout flow with no visual hierarchy
  • Colours and fonts that scream “template”

The design world has evolved. Modern print brochures use bold visuals, smart white space, engaging callouts, and minimal but powerful text. At Print It ZA, we specialise in brochure designs that breathe—and that turn readers into buyers.

Why Brochures Still Work (When Done Right)

Despite the rise of digital marketing, brochures still play a crucial role in South African businesses—especially for in-person sales, events, retail, and services where a tactile, branded piece of content can sway decisions.

Professionally printed brochures:

  • Create a tangible connection with your brand
  • Allow for detailed storytelling in a compact format
  • Help guide prospects through your services or offerings
  • Stay visible on desks and coffee tables longer than digital ads

And with Print It ZA’s brochure printing services, you get high-quality paper, precision printing, and finishing that elevates your brand without breaking your budget.

Design Trends to Adopt When You Print Brochures in 2025

To truly stand out, businesses in South Africa need to keep up with international print trends while tailoring them to local audiences. Here’s what’s working in the brochure world right now:

  • Minimalist layouts: Clean, simple design lets your message breathe
  • Bold colour blocks: Grab attention and guide the reader’s eye
  • Custom illustrations: Give your brochure a unique, branded feel
  • Interactive elements: QR codes that link to videos or landing pages
  • Tactile finishes: Matte, gloss, spot UV, or embossing for that premium feel

At Print It ZA, we don’t just print—we help you align your design with your brand, your market, and your message.

Print Brochures with a Purpose

The best brochures aren’t general—they’re focused. Before you print anything, ask: What is the goal of this brochure?

Whether you want to:

  • Introduce a new product
  • Explain your service packages
  • Drive foot traffic to your store
  • Educate customers about a complex offering

…your design and content must support that goal. Every element—headline, imagery, CTA, layout—should guide the reader to take action.

Printing Brochures for Different South African Industries

At Print It ZA, we print brochures for clients across dozens of industries. Each sector has different needs, but all share one thing: the need for clarity and connection.

  • Retail: Highlight specials, product benefits, or seasonal offers
  • Real estate: Show off listings and give potential buyers something to take home
  • Tourism & hospitality: Introduce your destination, experience, or package
  • Education: Showcase programmes, course guides, and campus facilities
  • NGOs and government: Communicate services or campaigns with credibility

Want to combine your brochure with a full programme overview? Our education printing services are ideal for schools, universities, and learning centres.

Better Layout = Better Results

Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about flow. If your brochure doesn’t guide the reader naturally from top to bottom, they’ll skim or toss it.

We recommend:

  • One strong headline per page or fold
  • Visual anchors like icons, boxes, or infographics
  • Clear calls to action (call us, scan this QR code, visit our website)
  • A back page that sells or educates (not just contact info)

And with Print It ZA, you never have to worry about print alignment, trimming, or colour consistency—we handle all of that, so you look good every time.

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FAQs About Brochure Printing in South Africa

How many brochures should I print?

That depends on your campaign. We handle short runs (100–500) and large batches (5,000+). Ask us for an instant quote to match your need and budget.

What brochure sizes are available?

Popular options include A4 tri-fold, A5 bi-fold, and custom sizes. We’ll help you choose what fits your content and purpose best.

Can I reuse my old brochure layout?

You can, but we don’t recommend it. Instead, let our design team modernise it to match your current branding and campaign objectives.

Combine Brochures With Other Print Materials

Brochures are even more effective when they’re part of a larger printed suite. For example, pair your brochure with:

  • A booklet that dives deeper into product details
  • A catalogue that showcases your full product line
  • A training manual if it’s part of internal staff use
  • A branded book if you’re in the consulting or educational space

Let us help you design a cohesive set of materials that reinforce your message and brand consistently.

Reimagine the Role of Brochures in Your Marketing

Brochures don’t just sit on shelves—they travel. People take them home, pass them on, leave them on desks. Every page is an opportunity to build trust, show off your expertise, and move someone closer to taking action.

At Print It ZA, we help you craft that experience. From layout to finish, every detail matters.

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Get in Touch with Us

Ready to Bring Your Print Projects to Life? Let’s start a conversation! Fill out the form below, and a member of our Print IT ZA team will get in touch.

stri

Get in Touch with Us

Ready to Bring Your Print Projects to Life? Let’s start a conversation! Fill out the form below, and a member of our Print IT ZA team will get in touch.