A brochure is a flyer, pamphlet or leaflet that is used to pass information about something. Brochures are advertising pieces mainly used to introduce a company or organization and inform about products and/or services to a target audience. Brochures are distributed by radio, handed personally or placed in brochure racks. They may be considered as grey literature. They are usually present near tourist attractions.

The most common types of single-sheet brochures are the bi-fold (a single sheet printed on both sides and folded into halves) and the tri-fold (the same, but folded into thirds). A bi-fold brochure results in four panels (two panels on each side), while a tri-fold results in six panels (three panels on each side).

Other folder arrangements are possible: the accordion or “z-fold” method, the “c-fold” method, etc. Larger sheets, such as those with detailed maps or expansive photo spreads, are folded into four, five, or six panels. When two card fascia are affixed to the outer panels of the z-folded brochure, it is commonly known as a “z-card”.

Booklet brochures are made of multiple sheets most often saddle stitched, stapled on the creased edge, or perfect bound like a paperback book, and result in eight panels or more.

Brochures are often printed using four color process on thick, glossy paper to give an initial impression of quality. Businesses may print small quantities of brochures on a computer printer or on a digital printer, but offset printing turns out higher quantities for less cost.