In this Tutorial we will look at setting up a simple 2 page Brochure again using Images prepared in The GIMP and Graphics created using Inkscape. We will than Prepare the artwork as a High Quality PDF/X3 for an Offset Printer.

Note: It is important to do the other Tutorials First. This Tutorial is to do with set up and Layout and assumes you already know how to Place Text and Images.

Before you begin to prepare artwork for a Brochure it is important to find out some information first. The most important is how you intend to Print the final product. If you are using an Offset Printer its a good idea to discuss with the Printer what Size would best suit his printing machines to give you best value for money. He can print any size, but remember he will print large sheets with your Brochure stepped up many times to be trimmed later. The Printer can give you a size that has the least amount of wastage and give you the best price.
If you intend to print Digitally or to a local Print Machine, the same principal applies, pick a size that is easy to print and trim.
If you intend to produce a Gatefold Brochure with many pages it is a good idea to make a mock up out of blank paper and number the pages so as you know which page backs on to another. Below is a simple One Sheet Brochure printed both sides.

Open Scribus and Choose a Double Sided Document as I have. I order to make measurements easier to understand for me I have set the Default Unit to Millimeters under options on the right of the New Document Dialog Box. You will note that I have set the size with a Width of 100mm and a Height of 210mm.

I have set the margins to 3.528mm which is in fact 10point.


I have also set the Number of Pages to 2. Once you have done this click OK. You will see that Scribus Opens with both Pages displayed as in the Image below.
As we have done in Previous Tutorials you must prepare your Images and Graphics first and Place Them in a Folder specifically created for this Job.

Before completing the next step please make sure you have visited our Color Page and download and installed the Adobe Color Profiles.When you have finished your work it is important to Export the finished file as a PDF/X3 pdf file. This is the international standard for high quality artwork. All of the Images will be converted to 300dpi CMYK files with no damaging file compression. You will notice that I have typed a name in the Info String, you must do this or it won't create a pdf file. You Offset Printer should be able to advise you which one of the Output Profiles he would prefer you to save the file as.
Note: This will mean that the PDF file may have changed colors when viewed on the computer. This is because there is a difference in the way artwork is prepared for Offset Printing and to be viewed on the screen. So don't worry if it looks washed out. Send the PDF file to your printer and ask him to print out a Proof before he goes ached and Prints the finished product.

Producing artwork using Scribus is simple, easy and capable of producing high quality finished artwork.