Flyers remain a simple yet effective marketing tool for businesses big and small. Whether you’re a major corporation or a local non-profit, a well-designed flyer can get your message across.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when creating a flyer is choosing the right size. The standard size for a flyer can impact everything from printing costs to readability. Choosing the perfect dimensions for your flyer will maximize the return on your investment.
Here’s a guide to standard flyer sizes, design tips, and printing considerations to help you create a flyer that makes an impact.
What is a flyer?
A flyer is a piece of paper designed to be handed out to lots of people. Think of it as a mini-advertisement on a single sheet.
Flyers deliver a short, catchy message and are often used to advertise events, promote a product, or get the word out about something important.
Good flyers include eye-catching pictures, simple wording, and a clear reason for the reader to take action.
Flyer vs. Brochure: What’s the difference?
Flyers and brochures are both marketing tools, but they’re not the same thing.
Think of flyers as quick, attention-grabbing announcements, usually about one or two things. It’s better to be simple and concise than to overload people with information.
Brochures, on the other hand, are more like mini-magazines. They provide a lot more information about a company, product, or service.
Before you design anything, consider how much information you need to share. Flyers are single-page documents, while brochures are folded multi-page documents.
Common Flyer Sizes: A Comprehensive Overview
Flyers come in all shapes and sizes, but some are more common than others. Here’s a rundown of the most frequently used flyer dimensions.
Standard Flyer Size (8.5″ x 11″ / A4)
In the US and Canada, the standard flyer size is 8.5″ x 11″. Internationally, the standard is A4. An 8.5″ x 11″ flyer gives you plenty of room to work with, making it a great choice if you have a lot to say or several products to show off.
- ANSI standard size: 8.5×11 inches (216×279.5 mm)
- ISO A4 size: 210×297 mm (8.2×11.6 inches)
Because they’re familiar, and because they offer ample space, standard-sized flyers are often used for general marketing.
Half-Page Flyer Size (5.5″ x 8.5″ / A5)
A half-page flyer (5.5″ x 8.5″ in the US/Canada, A5 internationally) strikes a good balance between size and cost. You’ll have enough room for eye-catching images and a concise message.
- ANSI half sheet flyer size: 5.5×8.5 inches (139.5×216 mm)
- A5 flyer size: 148×210 mm (5.8×8.2 inches)
Half-page flyers are a good choice for modern marketing and targeted promotions.
Postcard Flyer Size (4″ x 6″ / A6)
Postcard flyers (4″ x 6″) work well for direct mail and marketing campaigns when you’re trying to keep costs down. Their small size makes them easy to hand out.
Postcard flyers are best when you have one clear message and a strong call to action.
Quarter-Page Flyer Size (4.25″ x 5.5″)
Quarter-page flyers (4.25″ x 5.5″) are the most economical, so they’re perfect for high-volume distribution. They’re best for simple announcements, coupons, or reminders about an event.
With a quarter-page flyer, you’ll need to be strategic about your design to get the most out of the limited space.
DL Flyer Size (3.8″ x 8.2″)
DL flyers (99×210 mm/3.8″ x 8.2″) are frequently used for rack cards and promotional inserts.
- ISO DL flyer size (ISO): 99×210 mm (3.8×8.2 inches)
Their narrow, vertical shape makes them ideal for displaying information in racks or alongside products.
How to choose the right flyer size
The size of your flyer depends on a few key factors:
- Content: How much information do you need to include? If you have a lot to say, you’ll need a bigger flyer. If you just need to share a few details, a smaller size will do.
- Distribution: How will you distribute the flyers? Postcard sizes work well for mailing, but larger sizes are better for handing out.
- Audience: What does your target audience prefer? Consider their habits and what will catch their eye.
- Budget: Smaller flyers are usually cheaper to print, especially if you’re printing a lot of them.
- Goal: What are you trying to achieve with the flyer? A simple announcement can fit on a small flyer, but a detailed promotion needs more space.
Think about these things to help you pick the perfect flyer size for your needs.
Essential Tips for Designing an Effective Flyer
So, you’ve got the dimensions down. Now, how do you make a flyer that actually gets noticed and, more importantly, gets results? Here are some tried-and-true design tips:
- Visual Hierarchy: Think of your flyer as a roadmap. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to guide the reader’s eye through the information in a logical and engaging way. A confused reader is a reader who tosses your flyer in the trash.
- Compelling Imagery: Ditch the clip art! Use high-quality, relevant images that grab attention and reinforce your message. Visuals are powerful – make them count.
- Concise Messaging: Less is often more. Get straight to the point and focus on the key benefits of what you’re offering. Nobody wants to wade through paragraphs of text. Keep it short, sweet, and impactful. Concise messaging connects far better than content overload.
- Clear Call to Action: Tell people exactly what you want them to do. “Visit our website,” “Call now for a free consultation,” “Stop by our store today.” Use action-oriented language and make it easy for them to respond. Don’t leave them guessing!
- Brand Consistency: Your flyer should look and feel like it belongs to your brand. Use your brand colors, fonts, and logo to create a cohesive and recognizable identity. Make sure it aligns with your overall marketing strategy.
- Bleed and Margins: This is where the technical stuff comes in. Set up a bleed area (typically 1/8 inch for flyers, 1/2 inch for medium posters) to avoid those unsightly white lines after printing. Use margins (around 1/4 inch from each edge) to ensure your content isn’t cut off during the printing process. Bleed is essential to prevent white lines after printing; margins create a safe zone around content during printing.
- Paper Selection: The paper you choose can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your flyer. Consider glossy, premium, matte, or even recycled options. Think about your content, the type of business you’re promoting, and how you plan to distribute the flyers before making your decision.
Should you print on both sides of a flyer?
Yes! Printing on both sides of your flyer is a great way to make the most of the limited space.
Double-sided printing lets you include more information or eye-catching images without making the flyer bigger.
Think about using the back of the flyer for a call to action, a map to your business, or maybe some more details about your products and services.
In Conclusion
Picking the right size for your flyers is a key step in creating marketing materials that actually work.
Think about what you want to say, how you plan to hand out or mail the flyers, who you’re trying to reach, and how much you can afford to spend. Once you know the answers to those questions, you’ll be able to choose the best size for your needs.
If you combine smart size selection with eye-catching design, your flyers will grab attention, deliver your message, and get you the results you’re hoping for.