How to design and print custom flyers for effective business marketing
Do you remember the last time you received a flyer in person?
It might not be as often, but they usually end up on your desk or your refrigerator with a magnet.
Unlike social media posts that you can scroll through easily, flyers stay with you.
They might be in your bag or your pocket at first.
Then, the next thing you know, it’s on some table or pinned to your corkboard.
Unless it’s a flyer about something you don’t find interesting, then you might just throw it in the trash.
But that’s not the fault of the flyer; that’s on the person who designed it and decided to hand it to you.
Flyers started as simple paper signs distributed in public places.
It was all we had as promotions, along with newspaper ads and posters.
With the improved printing technology in 2024, their quality and distribution methods improved.
Today, the rise of digital marketing, social media, and email marketing has added competition, but flyers have adapted.
They continue to prove their use in marketing.
After all, you still receive the occasional flyer.
Their use is just more niche and targeted.
Allow me to show you when you should be making flyers and how to make them so they won’t end up in the trash.
Why do printed custom flyers still work as promotional materials?
Despite the growth of digital marketing, flyers continue to be effective for these several reasons:
Tangible presence
People still appreciate holding something physical and unlike a screenshot on your phone, it’s not as easy to delete or just scroll through.
You can easily hand it over to people and leave it pinned somewhere to remind them of a promotion or an event.
A well-designed flyer with a nice glossy print can capture attention and leave a lasting impression.
Local reach
Flyers are perfect for targeting specific geographic areas.
If you have a local business or event, you can easily promote it to the people near you by handing out flyers.
Distributing them to local businesses, community centers, or relevant events can directly reach your audience.
You just need to know where your ideal audience or demographic is likely to hang out and distribute your flyers there.
Cost-effective
You may think that advertising online is cheaper.
But if you’re only targeting a local demographic, you’re likely better off printing some flyers and handing them out instead of running an ad on Google.
Printing and distributing flyers can be affordable and more effective, especially for small businesses.
High visibility
A flyer on a community board or handed out at a busy event can stand out more than an email lost in an inbox or a post lost among all the other engaging videos and photos on the timeline.
Effective flyer designs to attract customers to your business
Just like any promotional material, creating and printing an effective flyer requires thoughtful design.
You want to communicate your message immediately but also in an eye-catching way. Otherwise, people might just chuck your flyer in the trash.
Here are some tips:
Eye-catching visuals
Your flyer’s visuals will be the first thing that lets people know whether or not they should even receive it from whoever is handing it out.
Use high-quality images and graphics that your target audience will find interesting.
Bright colors and appealing visuals can draw the eye and create interest.
Hook them with an item or activity they find interesting.
For example, if you’re promoting a discount on your tech products, have a massive photo of your best selling product along with the discount price to lure them in.
Clear message
Too much text and images can make it confusing for your audience to know what your flyer is trying to say.
Make sure your message is concise and easy to understand. Use a bold headline to grab attention and keep the text straightforward.
Supplement the message with illustrations or images that can help them understand what you’re talking about.
For example, people might not understand what exactly you mean by a “flower arrangement workshop.”
Give them an idea by supplementing it with images of what the final flower arrangements might look like.
Call-to-action
You’re handing out flyers for a reason, but your audience might not know what that reason is.
With a clear call to action (CTA), you tell them what you want them to do.
Whether it’s visiting a website, calling a number, or attending an event, make sure it’s prominent and easy to follow.
Let them know where to sign up, where to go, and when to visit.
Contact information
Some people might want to learn more and talk to a person, whether it’s for an event, a product, or a service.
Give all the contact details you need, like your phone number, email, website, and social media links. This helps people reach you in different ways if they have questions.
Combining digital and physical aspects
Modern flyers are built differently.
You’re not limited to the black-and-white flyers of before. They often blend physical and digital features, making them a versatile tool.
These hybrid flyers can include QR codes, NFC chips, and augmented reality (AR) elements, allowing recipients to engage with digital content seamlessly.
For example, a restaurant flyer might include a QR code that links to an online menu or a digital reservation system, offering a direct path from the physical flyer to digital interaction.
Spread the word and promote better with effective distribution
Yes, you printed great flyers but are they reaching your audience?
Effective distribution methods are key to maximizing the impact of your flyers.
Here are some strategies to consider:
Strategic placement
Identify high-traffic areas where your target audience frequents.
Are you trying to invite working professionals, mothers trying to save on groceries, or fresh graduates looking for jobs?
Think of where they would be going. This could be your office, nearby cafes, libraries, gyms, groceries, or local events.
Hand out your flyers there or leave them for anyone to grab at a visible location.
Partnering with local businesses
When you’re promoting a local event or business, there are likely businesses that can take advantage of your offerings.
Collaborate with local businesses to display your flyers. They can help promote it to their regulars.
For example, if you’re promoting a new fitness class, partner with nearby health food stores or gyms that could benefit from your service.
You not only get to access the existing community but also establish connections with these local businesses.
Event distribution
The last time you got a flyer was probably from an event.
This is the ideal place to find your target audience, as they’re already looking for businesses and experiences related to your niche.
Trade shows, fairs, and community events are excellent opportunities to distribute flyers directly to potential customers.
Door-to-door distribution
I know this is annoying, but if you’re creating hyper-local campaigns, you need to consider door-to-door flyer distribution.
This method makes sure that your message goes straight to homes.
If you’re trying to attract your neighborhood to your little pop-up, this is the best way to promote it to them.
Creating high-quality flyers to promote your business
Flyers will still be a strong marketing tool in 2024 because they can be used in many ways and are easy to hold.
If you make eye-catching flyer designs, have a clear message, and hand them out in the right places, you are sure to have a successful marketing campaign that leaves an impact on your audience.
Do you need some help with creating promotional materials?
Here are some guides that can help:
➡️Print is making a comeback: Find out why and how it affects your designs!
➡️Making the best print ads: A guide for eye-catching and clever print advertising materials
➡️How to create a lead magnet: High-converting lead magnet ideas and examples.
➡️How to create eye-popping promotional materials
You can also just leave the design work to us!
Just send us a design request and our professional designers can handle it for you.
