When done right, flyer printing is still one of the most cost‑effective ways to generate local sales, drive foot traffic, and promote offers. Even in a digital-first world, a well‑designed, well‑printed flyer you can hold in your hand cuts through the noise and reaches people right where they live, shop, and commute.
This guide walks you through practical flyer printing tips—from design and copy to paper stock and distribution—so your next batch of flyers actually drives sales instead of heading straight for the recycling bin.
Why Flyer Printing Still Works for Local Sales
Despite social media and email, printed flyers remain powerful, especially for local businesses. Here’s why:
- Hyper‑local targeting: Hand out flyers exactly where your best customers already are.
- High visibility: A bold flyer on a counter, in a mailbox, or on a noticeboard is hard to ignore.
- Tangible reminder: People can pin flyers to fridges, keep them in wallets, or share them with friends.
- Low cost per impression: With bulk flyer printing, each piece can cost just a few cents.
According to the Data & Marketing Association, direct mail (including flyers) can achieve response rates between 4.9% and 9% when targeted properly—often higher than many digital-only campaigns (source).
The key is to design and print flyers that look professional, communicate clearly, and give customers a reason to act now.
Start with a Clear Goal and Audience
Before opening your design software or ordering flyer printing, answer two questions:
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What is the single main outcome you want?
- More store visits?
- Coupon redemptions?
- Event registrations?
- Website traffic or phone calls?
-
Who are you trying to reach?
- Age, income, local area, interests.
- Are they commuters, parents, students, homeowners?
A flyer trying to “do everything” usually does nothing well. A clear objective and a tight audience help you decide:
- The main headline
- The offer or promotion
- The design style and images
- Where and how you’ll distribute the flyers
Design Fundamentals: How to Make Flyers That Get Noticed
1. Use a Bold, Benefit‑Driven Headline
Your headline is the hook. People glance at flyers for seconds, so make those seconds count.
Better headlines focus on benefits, not features:
- Weak: “New Fitness Studio Now Open”
- Strong: “Get Fit in 30 Minutes a Day – First Week FREE”
Tips for flyer headlines:
- Keep it short: ideally 3–7 words.
- Make the benefit clear at a glance.
- Use large, readable fonts (no fancy scripts for headlines).
- Ensure high contrast between text and background.
2. Focus on One Primary Offer
Every flyer should feature one main offer that aligns with your goal:
- “20% OFF Your First Order”
- “Buy 1 Get 1 Free – This Weekend Only”
- “Free Consultation – Call Today”
- “RSVP for Our Grand Opening Event”
Avoid cluttering the flyer with multiple competing offers. You can support your primary offer with:
- A short benefits list
- A couple of key features
- One strong visual or photo
3. Use Strong, Relevant Imagery
Images sell the experience, not just the product. For effective flyer printing:
- Use real photos of your venue, products, or happy customers where possible.
- Avoid overly generic stock photos that feel fake.
- Make sure images are high resolution (300 dpi) so they print crisply.
- Leave enough “breathing room” around images—don’t cram.
If you’re promoting:
- A restaurant: Show appetizing dishes or a welcoming interior.
- A gym: Show real people working out and smiling.
- A salon: Show before‑and‑after transformations.
4. Make It Easy to Read Quickly
Design for scanning, not deep reading.
- Use short paragraphs and plenty of white space.
- Break up text with subheadings and bullet points.
- Choose simple, legible fonts (e.g., Lato, Open Sans, Montserrat).
- Stick to 2 font families max—one for headlines, one for body text.
Consider how your flyer will be viewed: in someone’s hand, on a noticeboard, or through a window. Ensure key details are large enough to read at arm’s length.
Copywriting Tips That Turn Flyers into Sales
Good flyer printing is wasted on weak copy. Your words should be:
- Clear: Avoid jargon and long sentences.
- Customer‑focused: Talk about benefits, not just features.
- Action‑oriented: Tell the reader exactly what to do next.
Lead with Benefits, Support with Features
Instead of:
“State-of-the-art cardio equipment and weights.”
Try:
“Burn more calories in less time with our state-of-the-art equipment—no long waits for machines.”
Benefits answer “What’s in it for me?” Features are the proof.
Add Social Proof or Credibility
If space allows, include:
- A short customer quote
- Review rating (e.g., “4.8★ on Google”)
- Years in business or awards
- Trusted logos (industry bodies, partners, local associations)
The Call to Action: Tell Them Exactly What to Do
Every flyer must have a clear call to action (CTA) tied to your goal:
- “Call now to book your free trial: 555‑123‑4567”
- “Visit us at 25 Main Street – Show this flyer for 15% off”
- “Scan the QR code to reserve your seat”
CTA best practices:
- Make it visually distinct (button-style shape, bold text, contrasting color).
- Use action verbs: “Call,” “Visit,” “Scan,” “Book,” “Order.”
- Add urgency with deadlines: “Offer ends Sunday,” “This week only,” etc.
- Repeat the CTA in both the middle and near the bottom of the flyer.
Technical Flyer Printing Tips: Paper, Size, and Finish
The physical quality of your flyer affects how your brand is perceived and whether people keep it.
Choose the Right Size
Common sizes for flyer printing:
- A6 (105 x 148 mm / postcard size) – Great for handouts and inserts.
- DL (99 x 210 mm) – Ideal for letterbox drops and envelope inserts.
- A5 (148 x 210 mm) – Popular, good balance of space and cost.
- A4 (210 x 297 mm) – Attention‑grabbing, good for posters and in‑store display.
Match size to purpose and budget. For door‑to‑door, smaller (A6 / DL) is usually more cost‑effective; for window displays, A4 works better.
Pick a Suitable Paper Stock
Paper weight is measured in gsm (grams per square metre):
- 130–150 gsm: Lightweight, economical for mass distribution.
- 170–200 gsm: Feels more premium, better durability.
- 250–300 gsm: Card‑like, ideal for flyers that double as coupons, menus, or handouts meant to be kept.
If your brand is high‑end (e.g., boutique, spa, premium services), avoid very thin paper—it can make your offer feel cheap.
Gloss vs. Matte Finish
- Gloss: Vibrant colors, shiny surface, great for photos and colorful designs.
- Matte/silk: More sophisticated, easier to write on (useful if people fill in details, appointment times, or promo codes).
Think about how the flyer will be used. If staff need to write notes or appointment times on it, choose matte or uncoated.
Print Quality and Color
- Use CMYK color mode (not RGB) in your design files.
- Set images at 300 dpi resolution.
- Add bleed (usually 3 mm) so color or images go right to the edge without white borders.
- Keep text within safe margins to avoid trimming issues.
If you’re unsure, ask your print provider for templates or specifications so your design is print‑ready.
Distribution Strategies: How to Get Your Flyers into the Right Hands
Even the best design and printing won’t help if distribution is random. Map out how and where you’ll deliver flyers to reach your ideal customer.
Smart Places to Distribute Flyers
Consider:
- Near your location: Nearby streets, neighboring businesses, community boards.
- Partner businesses: Leave flyers at complementary businesses (e.g., a gym and a health food shop).
- Events and markets: Local fairs, sports events, school functions.
- Mail drops: Target specific postcodes or neighborhoods.
- In‑store handouts: Put flyers in bags, on counters, or with receipts.
Time Your Flyer Campaigns
Boost results by timing flyer printing and distribution strategically:
- Before sales events (Black Friday, end‑of‑season sales).
- Leading up to holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day).
- Around local events (festivals, school holidays, local sports finals).
- For grand openings, new product launches, or new services.
Track Results So You Can Improve Each Print Run
To make flyer printing a repeatable sales channel, you need to know what’s working.
Simple ways to track:
- Unique discount codes: “Use code FLYER10 in store or online.”
- Dedicated landing page URLs: e.g., yoursite.com/flyer
- QR codes: Link directly to booking forms, menus, or product pages.
- Ask new customers: “How did you hear about us?” and note “Flyer” when applicable.
Review after each campaign:
- How many redemptions or responses did you get?
- Which distribution spots worked best?
- Did one headline or offer outperform another?
Use this data to refine your next flyer’s design, offer, and distribution strategy.
Quick Checklist: High-Converting Flyer Printing Essentials
Use this list before sending your next flyer to print:
- Clear, single objective and target audience.
- Bold, benefit-focused headline.
- One main offer or promotion.
- Strong, relevant, high‑resolution imagery.
- Clean layout, readable fonts, and good contrast.
- Concise, benefit‑driven copy with social proof.
- Prominent call to action with urgency.
- Correct contact details, address, opening hours.
- Appropriate size, paper weight, and finish.
- Print‑ready files (CMYK, 300 dpi, bleed, safe margins).
- Distribution plan and simple tracking method.
FAQ: Common Questions About Flyer Printing
1. How many flyers should I print for a local marketing campaign?
For local flyer printing campaigns, start by estimating your reachable audience. For a single suburb or neighborhood, 1,000–5,000 flyers is common. If you’re testing a new design or offer, start smaller (e.g., 500–1,000), measure results, then scale up with improved versions.
2. What is the best paper for professional marketing flyers?
For professional marketing flyer printing, 170–250 gsm silk or matte stock is a strong choice. It feels substantial in the hand without being too expensive in bulk. For luxury brands or flyers that double as vouchers or mini‑brochures, consider 250–300 gsm.
3. Is it better to design flyers myself or hire a designer?
If you have basic design skills and use a template from your printer, DIY flyer design and printing can work for simple promotions. However, for high‑stakes campaigns (grand openings, major sales, rebranding), a professional designer can dramatically improve clarity, impact, and conversion, often paying for themselves in extra sales.
Effective flyer printing blends strategic planning, persuasive design, quality materials, and targeted distribution. When these elements work together, you’re not just handing out paper—you’re putting focused offers directly into the hands of the people most likely to buy.
If you’re ready to turn local interest into real sales, start mapping your next flyer campaign today: clarify your goal, sketch a benefit‑driven message, choose a professional printer, and get your handouts out into the neighborhood. The sooner your flyers hit the streets, the sooner you’ll see new faces—and new revenue—walking through your door.