Short answer: A brochure holder is one strip of 1/8 in. clear acrylic bent into a pocket: a tall back, a narrow bottom, and a shorter front. For a standard 4 × 9 in. tri-fold, make the pocket about 4.5 in. wide with a 1 in. deep bottom and a front about 4 in. tall. Add holes to hang it on a wall, or another bend for a counter foot.
What size pocket do you need?
Measure the literature, then add a little room so it drops in and pulls out easily: about 1/4 to 1/2 in. on the width, and a bottom deep enough for a stack.
| Literature | Pocket width | Bottom depth | Front height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business cards (3.5 × 2 in.) | 3.75 in. | 0.75 to 1 in. | 1.25 in. |
| Tri-fold brochures and rack cards (4 × 9 in.) | 4.5 in. | 1 in. | 3.5 to 4 in. |
| 5.5 × 8.5 in. booklets | 6 in. | 1 in. | 4 to 5 in. |
| 8.5 × 11 in. flyers and catalogs | 9 in. | 1 in. | 5 to 6 in. |
A taller back (around 7 to 8 in. for tri-folds) keeps brochures from flopping backward when the stack runs low. A shorter front leaves the cover and title visible.
Counter, wall, or multi-pocket?
Wall-mount pockets
Two holes near the top of the back plate take small screws or wall anchors; double-sided tape works on glass and smooth panels. Mount a column of pockets for a literature wall in a waiting room or lobby.
Countertop holders
Add a bend at the bottom of the back plate to form a foot, or slot the pocket into a flat base, and the holder stands on its own at a slight lean. A counter holder for tri-folds wants a foot at least 3 in. deep.
Multi-pocket and tiered racks
Two or three pockets side by side, or stepped tiers for several titles, are bonded from bent pockets and a shared back. That's a fabrication job; see acrylic fabrication.
How we make it
We laser-cut the blank (including holes, a logo cutout, or a thumb notch) and then line-bend it twice to form the pocket. Bent pockets have no seams, so they don't separate when someone yanks out a brochure. We bend acrylic up to 1/4 in., and each bend has a small inside radius; minimum bend radius for acrylic explains why. Details on the process are on acrylic bending.
Colors and branding
Clear is the standard because it shows the whole brochure. A logo engraved on the front or the back plate makes holders feel custom for a small cost; see acrylic engraving. Frosted or a brand-color back plate with a clear front stands out on a busy counter.
Design tips
- Cut a half-circle thumb notch, about 1.25 in. wide, at the top center of the front so the last brochure is easy to grab.
- Use 1/8 in. for single pockets; go to 3/16 in. for 8.5 × 11 in. holders that carry a heavy stack.
- Keep holes at least 1/2 in. from the bend lines.
- For a combined sign and pocket, see acrylic sign holders.
Price your size in the instant quote, or describe the rack you need.
Questions
Can one holder take different brochure sizes?
A pocket sized for 8.5 × 11 in. will hold smaller pieces, but they slump to one side. It's better to size each pocket to its literature.
Can a brochure holder go outside?
The acrylic is fine outdoors, but an open pocket fills with rain. For outdoor use, add a hinged lid or mount it under an overhang.