There are many things to consider when printing flyers: project, budget, choice of paper, choice of printer. Flyers—whether business flyers, marketing flyers, real estate flyers, event flyers, educational flyers, or some other such flyer—are an essential part of doing business.
What makes a good flyer?
There are many things to consider when designing an effective flyer.
Certainly, starting with a flyer template helps, as many flyer layouts are designed to fit within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) system. More on that in a moment.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when designing a printed flyer:
- Write the copy from the customer’s point of view
- Present a concrete focused message
- Select pleasing fonts and colors that compliment your brand
- Attract attention with eye-catching images and graphics
- Add a call to action
- Remember to include the company logo and contact information
- Partner with a great printer (Like us!)
What is the best size for a flyer?
North American paper sizes follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) system, which uses inches and is based on the common 8.5-inch x 11-inch letter size.
Designing a flyer that fits within these standards helps, but certainly, if you need a custom size, BambooInk is happy to discuss.
Common flyer dimensions:
- Letter (8.5in x 11in)
- Half-letter (5.5in x 8.5in)
- Legal (8.5in x 14in)
- Tabloid (11in x 17in)
- #10 (4 1/8in x 9.5in)
- Square (sizes vary)
- Custom (sizes vary)
What paper options are available?
There’s a wide variety of paper available for printing flyers, and we’re happy to consult on what’s best for your business or organization. Like letterhead, printing on white or cream paper allows your brand’s colors to shine. If you’re looking for eco-friendly options, consider recycled paper, vegetable-based ink, or tree-free paper.
Is it “flier” or “flyer”?
Apparently, this question is on everyone’s mind.
“A flyer, a circular, a leaflet, a pamphlet, a handbill—so many words for one simple thing. A piece of paper with words and images printed on it that gets handed out on a street. Or, in modern times, even sent by email. But while we’re sure we know what a flyer is, there is some confusion about how exactly to spell it. Is it “flyer,” or is it “flier?”
– Marko Ticak, “Is It Flier or Flyer?” Grammerly.com.
When folks ask the flier/flyer question, it’s difficult to answer. As discussed in a Grammar Girl blog post by Mignon Fogarty, it is often assumed “flier” is the correct American spelling, whereas “flyer” is the preferred British spelling. But that’s not always the case, and as Mignon points out, most dictionaries and style guides disagree.
The Oxford English Dictionary, that formidable tome with British roots that boasts the largest collection of words in the English language, cites “flyer” as the American spelling; “flyer” meaning “handbill” in the US. (A handbill is a small advertisement typically distributed by hand.)
In support of “flyer” as the—ah hem—”correct” American spelling for that thing you print and then distribute to your customers, is the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a dictionary with American roots so deep its office hasn’t moved from the spot of its founding in 1831 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Merriam-Webster, while recognizing that both spellings are variants of the same word, offers the following sentences to help guide us:
These birds are graceful fliers.
They distributed flyers announcing the concert throughout the city.
Merriam-Webster’s sentences shed light on what may be causing all the confusion. “Flier” is typically used to refer to a person, animal, or thing that flies, but “flyer” can also be used, but is done so less frequently.
So what gives? Well, for one, it’s no wonder the world of printing and all those who print flyers will sometimes engage in the printing of a flier while not feeling quite sure how to spell the darn thing that’s getting printed.
The good news is this. Fliers and flyers are essentially the same things, so there’s no sense arguing about it. And here’s why: Though a search using Google Books Ngram indicates “flyer” is more common than “flier” in both American English and British English, and despite the discrepancy cited by the Oxford English Dictionary, it appears both spellings have coexisted (peacefully, we hope) since at least 1800.
In America (and in Britain), it’s perfectly fine to print either “flyers” or “fliers.”
Aw, heck. Forget spelling. Let’s chat.
Because no matter how you spell it, what’s most important—is partnering with a great printer, a high-flying printer like us: BambooInk.