Despite digital marketing dominating, with digital spending forecast to total over $700 billion, flyers remain a hugely effective marketing tool for small businesses. Because they can be produced cheaply in large quantities, flyers are a cost-effective way to spread the word about your brand. And the great news is that business flyers are surprisingly easy to make—you don’t need design experience if you understand the design process. So, here’s everything you need to know about how to make a flyer for business in four simple steps and the impact a well-designed flyer can have on your brand.
- Flyers are a cost-effective marketing tool, providing a tangible experience and high response rates. They are cheap to produce and can be printed in large quantities.
- To be successful, flyers should speak to their target audience, have a simple purpose and message and include a call to action.
- Benefits of flyers for businesses include their low cost, local reach, flexibility and tactile nature.
- To make a business flyer, upload a design or work with a template, then customize and finalize the design, choose paper thickness and stock, and print.
Flyer design for a play
Create flyers for business success
You might be wondering, in a digital world, why you should make a flyer for your business. Flyers are cost-effective print marketing materials that come in many shapes and sizes. What’s more, people are more likely to follow up on their call to action than they are on a digital ad that flashes up on their phone screen.
Seen by 78% of people that receive them and read carefully by 23% (this jumps to 33% if the flyer includes an offer or coupon), flyers are:
- Cheap to produce
- Easy to print in large quantities
- Great for helping small businesses raise their profile in a local area
- Effective for generating leads and increasing sales
Considering the fact that email has an average open rate of 37% and click-through rate of only 1.4%, the humble flyer is a pretty powerful competitor, especially when combined with digital marketing efforts.
Source: Flyer design by Rose* via 99designs by Vista
How to create a flyer for your business in four steps
You don’t need design skills or to spend lots of time making a flyer (you’re busy enough as it is). Here’s how to create a business flyer in four easy steps.
Step 1: Choose a template
Once you’ve searched for flyers, choose the:
- Product orientation: Vertical or horizontal
- Flyer size: From 2.5” x 4” to 11” x 7”
- Paper thickness and stock: From 5pt to 16pt, with glossy, uncoated and matte options
- Quantity: How many flyers do you need? 25 or 20,000? Bear in mind that the cost per unit decreases the more flyers you print
VistaPrint flyer options
At this point, upload a design or click on “Browse designs” to choose from thousands of flyer templates and find the best flyer design for your business.
VistaPrint flyer templates
Filter design templates by industry, style, orientation, size, purpose and color. If you have brand colors, pick a template you can add your colors to.
Step 2: Edit your design
Once you have your flyer template, choose a color palette, size and orientation and click “Edit my design.” You can always change these elements again later if you like.
Customizing the flyer template
Now it’s time to customize the different design elements. Add your text, background color, graphics and images, choosing from the free stock photo library or uploading your own. Upload your company logo and add brand colors and a QR code to direct people to your website or socials. If you want your flyer to be double-sided, work on the front and back design.
Customizing the flyer design
Step 3: Review your design
Once you’re finished with the design of your flyer, preview the design to see what the final product will look like. Do a test print by clicking the “Preview” button and “Download PDF proof.” If you’re happy with the design, then continue to the final printing step.
Click “Next”, and the design review window will pop up, which will let you know if there are any issues with your design. Tick the box to confirm you’ve reviewed and approve of your design and click “Continue.” Or go back and edit your design if you still need to tweak something.
Review your design
Step 4: Print your flyer
You then have the option to choose paper thickness, stock—glossy, matte, recycled or uncoated—and the quantity of flyers you want to print. Once you’re done, click “Add to cart” to be taken to the checkout. And that’s it! You can expect your stunning flyers to arrive in a few days.
Final steps: Choose paper thickness and stock
Business flyer dimensions
Flyers come in different shapes and sizes. Smaller business flyers are easy to hand out on the street and easily fit in customers’ shopping bags, while larger flyers such as A4 or 8.5 x 11” can display even more product or sales information, offering the potential for storytelling and space for more imaginative use of images.
Here are some of the main flyer sizes and what they’re best suited for:
Small flyer sizes
Standard flyer sizes vary from country to country, but smaller sizes include:
- 2.5” x 4” (63.5 x 101.6mm)
- 4.2” x 5.5” (106.7 x 139.7mm)
- 4” x 6” (101.6 x 152.4mm)
If you can fit your message on a limited canvas, these smaller flyers are perfect for distributing in large numbers while spending less on printing.
Sizes of marketing materials
Standard flyer sizes
These slightly larger flyers remain affordable, but offer more space to promote your business:
- 6” x 6″ (152,4 x 152.4mm)
- 5” x 7” (127 x 177.8mm)
- 5.5” x 8.5″ (139.7 x 215.9mm)
- 8.5” x 11” (215.9 x 297.4mm)
Flyers are great for short attention-grabbing messages, but if you want to display more information or use multiple pages, consider using a leaflet or brochure to promote your business.
Source: Flyer design by FuturisticBug via 99designs by Vista
Large flyer sizes
Larger flyer formats include:
- 8” x 8″ (203.2 x 203.2mm)
- 11” x 17” (279.4 x 431.8mm)
Longer, slimmer fliers (sometimes called DL or “Dimension Lengthwise” flyers) provide space for more detailed information, lists or vouchers. Long flyers fold well and are great for price lists and restaurant menus. But if you want to create a message that people can’t miss, and you don’t want to fold your flyer, an oversized 11” x 17” flyer is great for promoting events like store openings, and can double as a poster or keepsake.
Tips for making impactful business flyers
Here are seven tips to keep in mind when creating and designing flyers for your business.
1. Tailor the flyer to your target audience
Any flyer you make (and any marketing that you do) should speak to your target audience. Once you’ve identified your target audience and understood their pain points, wants and needs, you can create a flyer that’s tailored to them and has the best chance of grabbing their attention.
To tailor your flyer’s messaging to your ideal customer base, keep in mind “What’s in it for them?”. By asking this question, you’ll lead the messaging with the benefits for your audience, so you’ll be more likely to hook them in. This applies to the flyer’s design as well as the messaging.
2. Choose a purpose and message
You might have a lot to say to your target consumer, but when it comes to flyers, it’s all about using fewer words, keeping your message simple and having just one objective. If you overload your flyer with too much information, your readers will be confused and won’t pay attention to what it has to say.
Have a single purpose for your flyer: What do you want to achieve with it? Is it to make people in your neighborhood aware of an upcoming sale? To promote a new lunch deal? Or to publicize a launch event?
3. Include a call to action
As well as having one clear message, an effective business flyer has a call to action. What single action do you want someone to take after reading your flyer?
A call to action is a sentence that clearly tells your reader what to do next, whether signing up for guitar lessons, following you on social media or coming by your store to redeem a special offer coupon. When it comes to a call to action, it’s better to tell your reader to do just one thing. That way, they’ll be more likely to take the desired action.
4. Hook their attention with a headline
The headline, or title, lets the reader know instantly what the flyer’s content is about. It’s what your audience will read first, so it’s one of the most important things to consider when learning how to create flyers for business. A good flyer headline grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to read on. It tells them why they should care.
To hook the reader’s attention, it’s a good idea to include one of the main benefits in the headline that addresses a problem your target customer faces.
Imagine your home has dirty windows. You know you have to get them cleaned, but it’s been hard to find the time. Then you spot a well-designed flyer with the headline: “Get clean windows that sparkle for half the price.” The headline is clear and addresses your problem, so it will grab your attention.
5. Create an impactful design
Just like a good headline, the flyer’s visual design helps catch your ideal customer’s eye. Going back to the window-washing business flyer example, clear visuals, bright colors and bold fonts would grab attention best.
Learn how to design a flyer that stands out.
For creative flyer design ideas, keep the following design principles in mind.
Pay close attention to color
If you already have brand colors, it’s wise to use them on your flyer for brand recognition. Also think about the effect that colors have and what feeling you want your flyers to evoke—warmer colors like red, orange and yellow evoke energy, while colors like green and blue are more soothing.
Source: Flyer design by KVA via 99designs by Vista
Choose the right typography
Just like color choices, flyer fonts affect the mood of your flyer, so choose typography that is eye-catching, easy to read and in line with your flyer’s purpose.
Bold flyer fonts that grab attention
Choose a bold font style for your headline that stands out, and use a different secondary font to add some contrast and draw the eye to the important information, like event details and social media handles, and call to action.
Keep it balanced
Just like keeping the flyer information concise, it’s wise to keep the design simple and balanced. That means balancing the graphic elements with white space, larger elements with smaller ones and vibrant colors with more neutral tones. Too much of any one thing can be overwhelming for someone to look at, and the flyer’s message can get lost.
6. Focus on visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy is a key design principle that guides the reader’s attention to the information you want them to see. It’s how you organize the design elements on your flyer so that the reader’s eye is guided to each piece of information in order of importance. Emphasize the most important details using color, contrast, position and size.
If the headline is the most important part of an event flyer, it should be in a larger font so it’s read first, while the date and time could be in a contrasting color to stand out.
Most countries that use languages with Latin, Cyrillic or Greek scripts read from top-to-bottom and right-to-left, which is why a headline is usually at the top and a call-to-action is at the bottom of a business flyer. Applying the rules of visual hierarchy effectively in your flyer design makes it easy for people to scan your flyer to find out what they need to know and take the action you want them to take.
7. Choose the right paper and finish
It’s vital to get your message and design right, but the material you choose when creating business flyers is almost as important. It will affect the cost and impact your flyers have. You can choose between:
- Matte: A matte finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, making text clear and legible, with little glare. Matte finishes also tend to be cheaper and lighter, making this an affordable way to share and distribute your message.
- Glossy: A gloss finish shines, which makes colors pop, but may make text less clear. It’s therefore great for visual flyers with predominantly photos and images rather than lots of text.
- Uncoated: Clear to read, with a more subtle and natural feel, uncoated flyers look professional and save you money.
- Recycled: Better for the environment, underlining your business’s sustainability efforts.
Also consider paper weight: For professional-looking flyers, use thicker card (14 to 18pt thickness) for a more durable feel than cheaper, thinner paper.
Start making your flyer today
Now you know how to make flyers for business, it’s time to use this marketing tool to spread the word and tell everyone what your small business can offer them.
Intuitive online design tools and ready-made templates make it easier than ever to create flyers for business, meaning you don’t have to hire a designer.
How to make business flyers FAQs
How do I make a flyer for my business?
Start by defining your flyer’s purpose and target audience. Then, gather your content, including text and images. Choose an online design tool, and select a template or create your own layout. Incorporate your branding, add a clear call to action and proofread carefully before printing or sharing.
What are the best free tools for making a business flyer?
There are excellent free tools available online. VistaPrint is a beginner-friendly free online tool that provides access to thousands of templates, extensive customization options, and a range of high-quality printing options. Canva offers a user-friendly interface with numerous templates, Adobe Express provides powerful design features, and Google Docs and Slides can be used for simple flyer creation.
How do I choose the right size for my business flyer?
The ideal flyer size depends on your content and distribution method. Standard flyer sizes like A4 are versatile, while smaller sizes like A5 and A6 are more cost-effective for mass distribution and can easily fit in customers’ bags. Consider larger formats like A3 for detailed information or visual impact, or DL for vouchers or lists.
What design elements are essential for an effective business flyer?
Essential flyer design elements include a clear attention-grabbing headline, high-quality images or graphics, concise text highlighting key benefits, a strong call to action and contact details. Use your logo and brand colors for consistent branding, and consider thicker paper or a special finish for a high-quality flyer feel.
What are the key differences between designing a digital flyer versus a printed one?
Digital flyers should be optimized for screen viewing, using lower resolution images and clickable links. Printed flyers need high-resolution images and benefit from a physical call to action, such as a QR code or a tear-off coupon. Digital flyers allow for easy sharing and updates, while printed flyers offer a tangible experience and can be used to target customers in a local area. Consider a hybrid approach for maximum impact.
