The Complete Guide on Flyer Size & Dimensions
No print marketing strategy is complete without flyers. Whether you’re designing them for business branding or product promoting, the right flyer size makes all the difference for your ROI.
A versatile marketing asset, flyers can be customized for just about any message and are ideal for major companies, small businesses and nonprofit organizations. So let’s clarify a few things before you design and print yours with Smartpress:
- What is a flyer?
- Flyer vs. brochure
- Common flyer sizes
- Considerations for which flyer dimensions to use
- Tips for designing a flyer
Explore our paper stock and finishing options for custom flyers.
What is a Flyer?
So, what is a flyer exactly? Simply put, it’s an advertising staple. It’s a single sheet of paper with your marketing and messaging all over it. Intended for wide distribution to large audiences, they can be event flyers that you hang up, product guides that you slip into packages or promo materials you hand out at trade shows. And that’s just the beginning.
With only one sheet of paper, a flyer is our favorite kind of get-in, get-out marketing. Similar to Sell Sheets, they hit your audience with the facts up front and don’t waste time (or space) with content that doesn’t belong there. Flyers should be persuasive yet informative and grab your audience’s attention immediately.
Flyer vs. Brochure
When it comes to flyers vs. brochures, the biggest differences are intent, design and content. While a flyer is a single-page advertisement, a brochure can have multiple panels and folds. And those panels provide a lot more real estate for your content. If flyers are a small, enticing bite of your brand, brochures are the whole meal.
In terms of content, flyers provide your audience with the highlights, the bullet points, the unique selling propositions. Brochures, on the other hand, afford you the time and space to describe products fully, lay out service options and even background information about your business. Once you determine what your marketing goals and intentions are, then you can choose the format that best communicates your message.
Common Flyer Sizes
Your flyer design and intent will determine what flyer size you should print, with an array of common flyer dimensions and sizes to choose from. Certain sizes make sense for more information, less information, specific audiences, etc.
For example, you might go with a traditional 8.5” x 11” for promotional campaigns or event posters. Or you may want the slimmer 5.5” x 8.5” to create a modern visual impact. Smaller still, the compact 4” x 6” and 5” x 7” are the perfect portable sizes for event invites, product announcements or special offers.
Standard Flyer Size
Typically considered standard flyer dimensions, 8.5” x 11” is suited for most general marketing purposes. With ample space for design elements and content, this flyer size is versatile enough for any business in any industry. And its letter-size format is perfect to slip into pocket folders.
Use this size for professional settings like corporate meetings or conferences, marketing campaigns, event advertising, service information and more. Be sure to explore bold visuals that capture your target audience and beyond.
Half-Page Flyer Size
The half-page format has 5.5” x 8.5” flyer measurements. Practical yet still impactful, the half-page flyer lets you get creative with your content, as its slimmer style sends a modern message. This size is great for when you want your marketing to strike a balance between informative and portable. Try it out on communicating new service promotions, highlighting product features or sharing event details.
Postcard Flyer Size
When your messaging needs to stay compact, the postcard flyer is the only choice. With a usual flyer size of 4” x 6” or 5” x 7”, postcard flyers are ideal for direct mail campaigns since they’re compatible with postal service requirements. This portable size is just right for announcing new products or locations, promoting a special offer, even personalized event invitations. As long as you keep your content concise, it’ll speak volumes.
Quarter-Page Flyer Size
Coming in at 4.25” x 5.5”, the quarter-page flyer is perfect for less-is-more messaging. One of the most common flyer sizes, its smaller dimensions make it ideal for simple marketing messages or when your budget doesn’t have much (or any) wiggle room. You might also consider this one when you have a high volume to print (the smaller the size, the less you spend).
Narrow Rack Card Size
Not your typical flyer size, 4” x 9” is a rack card size that offers a narrow format that still provides plenty of space for messaging. For display racks, retail counters and reception areas that see a lot of foot traffic, 4” x 9” flyers are ideal as travel guides, product spotlights, even menus. This size is easy for customers to pick up and fits neatly into mailing envelopes.
See how print marketing like flyers can boost sales with our guide.
Considerations for Which Flyer Dimensions to Use
When determining which flyer size to create, one thing you need to know is your distribution plan. How are you getting the flyers to your audience? Are you handing them out, slipping them under doors, stapling them to marketing packets, including them in packages, hanging them up? Once you know that, you’ll be able to determine your ideal flyer dimensions.
Another element to consider is the amount of content you want to include. If it’s a lot, go for larger dimensions… and vice versa. Whichever size you do go with, just be sure it’s accessible and convenient for your audience (and stays within your budget).
Tips for Designing a Flyer
To make the most of your limited flyer space, you need a design that gets to the point in an attention-grabbing way. To do so, you’ll want to consider a few design elements, like color, imagery and word choice.
- Color: It’s always a good idea to stick with your brand colors, but be sure to think about your messaging, too. Color psychology plays a huge role in customer conversions, so make sure your colors coordinate with your sell.
- Imagery: Flyers need to be visually compelling, so use images that are high quality and do more showing than telling. Choose imagery that’s related to your campaign, so even if customers don’t read a single word, they remember what they saw.
- Words: Hint: They matter. We recommend using powerful words that evoke emotion and spur audiences into action. Think concise, catchy headlines and body text that states your message clearly.
Can Flyers be Printed on Both Sides?
This whole time we’ve been asking the question what size is a flyer, when we should also be asking if it can be printed on both sides. When you print with Smartpress, the answer is a resounding yes. And more importantly, you’ll want to. You’re already working with limited space, so why not double it?
Double-sided printing affords you more time and space to lay out your message and draw people in with imagery that shows more of your story. Just make sure your double-side decision makes sense for your flyer’s intent.
Print Your Business or Event Flyers with Smartpress
A staple in print marketing, flyers spread the word about your business, brand or organization in a simple yet effective way. Whether you stick with the standard flyer size or go for something a little more unique, your messaging gets the spotlight in a captivating way. And when you pair it with dynamic visuals, you’ve got an impressive ROI on your hands.
With Smartpress, you can design and print your flyers (and other marketing essentials) with premium paper stocks, protective UV coatings and variable data that provides a personalized touch. Explore our custom options and upload your design file today.
