Pamphlet vs. Brochure: What’s the Difference?

Is a pamphlet the same as a brochure? Definitely not. Still, the two get mixed up commonly, not only by lay people but by professional designers as well! Learn the difference between pamphlet vs. brochure, and discover what are some other types of print materials used in marketing.

Even graphic designers sometimes get confused about the difference between brochure vs. pamphlet vs. flyer. While these can be quite similar in design terms, they are used for different purposes. Therefore, understanding the difference between brochures and pamphlets can be vital for marketers wanting to use the right kind of print materials in their campaigns.

What is a pamphlet?

A pamphlet is a small, typically unbound piece of paper. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, in countries like Germany, England, and France, especially for political campaigns. 

Pamphlets have an informational character and usually focus on a single topic. Although this isn’t always the case, pamphlets are often designed on a single piece of paper. The sheet of paper can be folded in the middle or not. Sometimes pamphlets include multiple pages as well. They’re also referred to as leaflets.

What is a brochure?

A brochure is a multiple page magazine that’s used for advertising certain products or services. This marketing tool can be found in several different shapes and sizes, such as bound-together pages, bi or tri-foldable, and even as a single-pager. 

However, in most scenarios, brochures contain multiple, high-quality pages and utilize lots of colors. Because of their advertising nature, brochures must convey strong messages, thus keeping a high reader retention rate. Sometimes, they are referred to as booklets.

Pamphlet vs. brochure: what's the difference?

Pamphlets are usually handed out on the streets, left in your mailbox, or left on coffee shop tables. Apart from being sent electronically, brochures can often be found at B2B events, placed at the most visible area of a rack or shelf. 

While a lot of people use the terms pamphlet and brochure interchangeably, there are several key differences.

A pamphlet is smaller and more cost effective, mostly focusing on a single subject and often  designed on a single page. 

On the other hand, the purpose of a brochure is to provide a more in-depth coverage of a certain topic (usually a product or a service). This is why it utilizes more robust colors and visible positioning. All this makes the brochure more expensive to create.

Why is it important to understand the difference between brochures and pamphlets?

An information pamphlet should have a vastly different feel and target audience to a promotional brochure. The type and purpose of print material you wish to use will influence the way information is organized and presented (colors, images, fonts, shapes, call to actions, etc.). 

Next, the choice between brochure vs. pamphlet also impacts the way the materials are produced and distributed. For example, some printing services will include extra charges and/or limitations on printed materials, such as lengthy brochures that include several pages of high–quality images.

What isn’t a pamphlet or brochure

The confusion doesn’t end with just the brochure vs. pamphlet issue. In fact, it’s also common to confuse a brochure vs. pamphlet vs. flyer, as well as some other types of print collateral.

Flyers

Flyers are small paper documents that are usually handed out in the streets. Unlike pamphlets, they are always a single sheet of paper. Companies use them because they’re a cheap and easy to read. They’re a good way of relaying bite-sized pieces of information, so they’re often used for advertising concerts, store openings, various other events, etc.

Rack Cards

Rack cards are similar to flyers and are about 10 x 23 cm (4” x 9”) in size. They’re an effective way of advertising local events or individual products.

There’s only so much text that you can fit on such a small paper, so make sure you only display crucial information. This is why they should be utilized as more of a reminder rather than an advertisement.

Magazines

While mixing magazines up with brochures isn’t such a common occurrence, it still happens more than we’d like to admit. These multi-paged, periodic publications cover a variety of different topics, issues, and amongst other things, advertisements. Magazines are filled with illustrations, photographs, and images.

Where can I get a brochure or pamphlet design?

While there are many places where you can print out these informative paper documents, designing them is an entirely different story.

So, where can you get your brochure and pamphlet designed? Here are a few options:

• Online templates: There are tons of great templates online, many of which are completely free. However, bear in mind that using a free template is never simply a matter of adding your information and downloading the PDF. In order for a pamphlet or brochure template to work, it must be customized with your own branding.
• Freelance designers: Freelance designers are the best choice for one-off projects, such as professionally designed pamphlets or brochures that you can use for several years. The average cost of a high-quality brochure is around $80 to $100.
• Unlimited design service: Brochures and pamphlets are usually just a detail in a developed marketing strategy. So, if you’re looking for an affordable solution for all your graphic design needs, look no further than our unlimited design service. Get all your branding and promotional materials for one fixed monthly rate.

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Further reading

We hope this guide clears up some questions you had regarding the brochure vs. pamphlet debate, and help you choose the right type of print materials for your business.

If you want some further tips on designing these, we recommend you check out our tips on creating the best brochures and this free collection of brochures and flyer designs to inspire you! If you're ready for some professionally designed brochures, check out our list of the top brochure design agencies.