- Wednesday 9th September 2026
- 9 mins read
Flyers remain one of the most effective and affordable ways for businesses, organisations and individuals to promote a product, service, event or special offer.
Whether you are advertising a new business, promoting an event, launching a special offer or reaching customers in your local area, professionally printed flyers can help put your message directly into people's hands.
However, choosing the right flyer size, paper, design and printing specification can make a significant difference to the final result.
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about flyer printing in the UK, including popular flyer sizes, paper options, design tips, single- and double-sided printing, artwork requirements and how to choose the right flyer for your business.
At Elite Press, we provide professional printing services for businesses and individuals, helping customers turn their ideas into high-quality printed marketing materials.
What Is a Flyer?
A flyer is a printed promotional sheet used to communicate information about a business, product, service, event or offer.
Flyers are usually relatively inexpensive to produce, making them particularly useful when you need to reach a large number of potential customers.
Businesses can distribute flyers in many different ways, including:
- Hand-to-hand distribution
- Local leaflet drops
- Direct marketing campaigns
- Shop counters
- Reception areas
- Networking events
- Exhibitions and trade shows
- Promotional packages
- Customer deliveries
- Community events
A well-designed flyer should communicate its main message quickly while giving the reader enough information to decide what to do next.
Why Use Printed Flyers for Your Business?
Digital marketing is important, but printed flyers offer something different: a physical piece of marketing that customers can see, hold and keep.
Flyers can be particularly effective for local businesses because they allow you to target specific geographical areas.
For example, a restaurant could distribute flyers within its local community, while a tradesperson could target households in nearby areas.
Flyers can also be used alongside digital marketing. A QR code on your flyer can take customers directly to your website, online shop, booking page or social media profile.
Some of the main benefits of flyer printing include:
- Affordable marketing
- Easy distribution
- Local targeting
- Flexible designs
- Suitable for short-term promotions
- Easy to combine with digital marketing
- Available in a wide range of sizes and paper types
What Are the Most Popular Flyer Sizes in the UK?
Choosing the right flyer size depends on how much information you need to include and how you plan to distribute the flyers.
A6 Flyers
A6 flyers are compact and convenient.
They are useful when you want to distribute a short promotional message without using a large sheet of paper.
A6 flyers can work well for:
- Restaurant promotions
- Small offers
- Event information
- Appointment reminders
- Promotional cards
- Local marketing
A5 Flyers
A5 is one of the most popular flyer sizes because it provides a good balance between space and portability.
There is enough room for images, headlines, promotional information, contact details and a call to action without making the flyer excessively large.
A5 flyers are suitable for:
- Business promotions
- Special offers
- Restaurant menus
- Events
- Services
- Local advertising
- Marketing campaigns
A4 Flyers
A4 flyers provide considerably more space for information and images.
They can be useful when you need to communicate several products or services, provide detailed information or create a more substantial promotional design.
A4 flyers can be used for:
- Product catalogues
- Event programmes
- Detailed promotions
- Service information
- Business presentations
- Educational information
DL Flyers
DL is a long, narrow format that is particularly useful for designs that need a compact but distinctive shape.
DL flyers can be useful for:
- Promotional offers
- Restaurant promotions
- Events
- Direct marketing
- Price lists
- Appointment information
The right size ultimately depends on your content and distribution method.
A5 vs A6 Flyers: Which Should You Choose?
If you are unsure whether to choose A5 or A6, consider how much information you need to communicate.
Choose A6 if:
- You have a short message
- You want something compact
- You are distributing a large number of flyers
- Your promotion is simple
Choose A5 if:
- You need more design space
- You want larger images
- You have more information to communicate
- You want your promotional message to stand out
For many small businesses, A5 provides an excellent balance between visibility, cost and portability.
Should Flyers Be Printed Single-Sided or Double-Sided?
Flyers can be printed on one or both sides.
Single-Sided Flyers
Single-sided printing is ideal when you have a short message and want the entire design visible immediately.
It can also be a cost-effective option for simple promotional campaigns.
Double-Sided Flyers
Double-sided printing gives you additional space for information without increasing the physical size of the flyer.
For example, you could use the front for:
- Main headline
- Product or service images
- Special offer
- Key selling points
The reverse side could contain:
- Additional information
- Contact details
- Terms and conditions
- Social media information
- QR code
- Business address
If you have a lot of information to communicate, double-sided printing can be a better choice.
Choosing the Right Paper for Flyer Printing
Paper choice can affect both the appearance and perceived quality of your flyer.
The best paper depends on your design, budget and intended use.
Gloss Paper
Gloss paper has a smooth, shiny surface that can make photographs and colourful designs appear vibrant.
It can be suitable for:
- Promotional flyers
- Restaurants
- Events
- Retail promotions
- Photography-heavy designs
Matt Paper
Matt paper has a non-shiny surface and provides a clean, professional appearance.
It is often a good choice for:
- Corporate flyers
- Professional services
- Business information
- Minimalist designs
- Flyers containing significant amounts of text
Choosing Paper Weight
Paper weight is generally measured in GSM, which means grams per square metre.
A higher GSM generally indicates a thicker and more substantial sheet, although the final feel also depends on the paper type and finish.
When choosing paper, consider how you want the flyer to feel in the customer's hands.
A lightweight flyer can be practical for large distribution campaigns, while a heavier stock can give a more premium impression.
How to Design an Effective Flyer
A successful flyer needs to attract attention quickly.
Most people will not spend several minutes studying a promotional flyer, so the main message should be easy to understand.
1. Start With a Strong Headline
Your headline should immediately communicate what you are offering.
For example:
20% Off Your First Order
is likely to attract more attention than a vague headline that doesn't explain the benefit.
2. Use High-Quality Images
Images can communicate your product or service faster than a large amount of text.
Use high-resolution images that remain sharp when printed.
3. Keep the Layout Clear
Avoid filling every part of the flyer with text or graphics.
White space can help important information stand out and make the design easier to read.
4. Make Your Offer Clear
If you are promoting a special offer, make the benefit immediately obvious.
Include important details such as:
- Price
- Discount
- Offer dates
- Product information
- Conditions, where applicable
5. Include a Clear Call to Action
Tell the customer what you want them to do next.
Examples include:
- Order online
- Call us today
- Visit our website
- Book now
- Get a quote
- Scan the QR code
- Visit our store
A flyer should not simply provide information; it should encourage action.
Should You Include a QR Code on Your Flyer?
A QR code can connect your printed marketing campaign to your online presence.
You could use it to direct customers to:
- Your website
- A specific product
- An online ordering page
- A booking system
- A special offer
- A digital menu
- Your social media
- A contact page
Make sure the QR code is large enough to scan easily and has sufficient contrast against the background.
Most importantly, test the QR code before sending your flyer artwork to print.
How to Prepare Artwork for Flyer Printing
Good artwork preparation is essential for producing high-quality printed flyers.
Common file formats accepted by professional printers include:
- AI
- EPS
- High-resolution PNG
- High-resolution JPEG
A print-ready PDF is often the preferred option.
Your artwork should be created at the correct finished size and include bleed where required.
Important text and logos should also be kept away from the trimming area to prevent them from being cut off.
If you are unsure whether your artwork is print-ready, ask your printer to check it before production.
What Is Bleed in Flyer Printing?
Bleed is the extra area of artwork that extends beyond the final trimmed size.
It is particularly important when your flyer design has a background colour or image that reaches the edge of the finished flyer.
Without sufficient bleed, small variations during trimming could potentially leave a thin unwanted white edge.
Your printer will normally specify the exact bleed requirement for your flyer.
How Many Flyers Should You Print?
The quantity you need depends on your marketing campaign.
For a small local promotion, you may only need a few hundred flyers.
For a large leaflet distribution campaign, you may need thousands.
Before deciding on quantity, think about:
- How many customers you want to reach
- Where the flyers will be distributed
- How long the campaign will run
- Whether the promotion has an expiry date
- Your available marketing budget
It is also worth considering whether you expect your information to change soon.
If your telephone number, prices, website or offer is likely to change, ordering an extremely large quantity may result in wasted stock.
Flyer Printing for Local Businesses
Flyers can be particularly effective for local businesses because they can be distributed within specific areas.
Businesses that may benefit from flyer marketing include:
- Restaurants
- Takeaways
- Hairdressers
- Beauty salons
- Gyms
- Tradespeople
- Estate agents
- Cleaning companies
- Retail shops
- Tuition providers
- Event organisers
- Community organisations
For local campaigns, consider combining flyers with other marketing methods such as Google Business Profile, social media and your website.
Common Flyer Printing Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes when preparing your flyer.
Too Much Information
Trying to include everything can make a flyer difficult to read.
Focus on the information that matters most to your customer.
Weak Headline
If the main message isn't immediately clear, people may ignore the flyer.
Poor-Quality Images
Low-resolution images can appear blurry when printed.
Small Text
Text that looks readable on a computer screen may be too small when printed.
Missing Contact Information
Always make sure customers know how to contact you.
No Call to Action
Tell customers exactly what you want them to do next.
Unchecked QR Code
Always test your QR code before printing.
Spelling and Grammar Errors
Proofread your artwork carefully before approving it.
How Much Does Flyer Printing Cost?
The cost of flyer printing depends on several factors, including:
- Flyer size
- Quantity
- Paper type
- Paper weight
- Single- or double-sided printing
- Finishing
- Turnaround time
- Artwork requirements
Larger quantities can often reduce the cost per flyer.
However, the cheapest option isn't necessarily the best choice for every campaign.
Consider the purpose of your flyers and the impression you want your business to make.
Why Choose Elite Press for Flyer Printing?
At Elite Press, we provide professional printing services for businesses and individuals.
Our aim is to help customers produce high-quality printed marketing materials that represent their brand professionally.
Alongside flyer printing, our printing services include:
- Business Cards
- Brochures
- Banners
- Posters
- Flags
- Calendars
- PVC Banners
- Fabric Banners
- Pull-Up Banners
- Roller Banners
- Labels and Packaging
- Business Stationery
We also offer services including:
- Bookbinding
- Embossing
- Engraving
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Website Design
Whether you need flyers for a local business promotion, event, special offer or marketing campaign, choosing the right size, paper and design can help you communicate your message effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flyer Printing
What is the most popular flyer size?
A5 is one of the most popular flyer sizes because it provides a good balance between design space, visibility and portability. A6, A4 and DL are also commonly used depending on the campaign.
Is A5 or A6 better for flyers?
A5 provides more space for images and information, while A6 is smaller and easier to distribute. The best choice depends on your content and distribution method.
Are double-sided flyers worth it?
Double-sided flyers can be useful when you need more space for information. They allow you to provide additional details without increasing the physical size of the flyer.
What paper is best for flyers?
Gloss and matt papers are both popular choices. Gloss can make colourful images stand out, while matt provides a clean and professional appearance. The best choice depends on your design and intended use.
Can I put a QR code on a flyer?
Yes. QR codes are useful for connecting printed flyers with online content such as websites, booking pages, online shops and special offers.
What file format should I use for flyer printing?
A print-ready PDF is often recommended. Other formats such as AI, EPS and high-resolution image files may also be suitable depending on the printer.
How many flyers should I order?
The right quantity depends on the size of your marketing campaign, distribution area, budget and how long the promotion will run.
Make Your Message Stand Out With Professional Flyer Printing
A well-designed flyer can be a powerful addition to your marketing strategy.
From choosing the right size and paper to creating a clear design with a strong call to action, every part of the flyer contributes to how customers perceive your business.
Whether you need a small batch of flyers for a local promotion or a larger quantity for a marketing campaign, professional printing can help your business present its message clearly and effectively.
Ready to print your flyers?
Visit Elite Press to explore our flyer printing and other professional printing services.
Elite Press — Print Your Vision.