Use efficient sizes for your newsletter. 8.5”x11” or letter page and 11”x17” or ‘tabloid’ are sizes that are most efficient to print and mail. The letter page (8.5”x11”) is better for newsletters with long articles and very few graphics. A ‘tabloid’ (11”x17”) is preferable for newsletters that contain varied article lengths and lots of nice graphics.

Newsletters should have at least four pages to give readers something to open up and dig into. Keep in mind that a four-page tabloid newsletter needs same amount of copy and graphics as an eight-page, letter-sized newsletter.

Have reader friendly column width or combination of widths for your newsletter. Try two-big-one-little column format for this. Make two big columns roughly 2-3/4” wide and a thin one roughly 1-1/2” wide. Use thin column for side heads, poking artwork into, pull quotes, or info boxes. This format would leave some white space along edges of your newsletter – a real help for readers especially if you’re into black ink printing only.

It is also worth mentioning that like in all other things we encounter, it is more preferable to stick to an easy and uncomplicated way of designing newsletters. The K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple St*pid) principle relates to more things that you are aware of. So now that you know basics on newsletter design, get down to business and start your newsletter make-over.

Generally, you have to make sure that color combinations for your designs fit intended content and expectations of viewers. You must also think carefully about why you're using a given color or selection of colors and to whom that color is being delivered. Never use colors that don’t add to or support information being presented. Always keep in mind that how you combine colors has a significant impact on how it will be received by your audiences. Try to be consistent throughout design with your color combination choices. Without forethought, your designs might only weaken message you want to convey or worse, make it ineffective altogether.

Truly, choosing right color combinations for your designs can get overwhelming fast!