Most flyers get a glance, not a read. In about three seconds someone decides whether it’s for them. A clear layout and the right file settings make the difference between a flyer that works and one that ends up in the recycling bin, or comes back from the printer with the edges cut off.

Choose the size first

Letter (8.5 × 11 in): the standard flyer in Canada and the US. Room for detail.
Half-letter (5.5 × 8.5 in): cheaper to print and easy to hand out.
A4 (210 × 297 mm) and A5 (148 × 210 mm): the standard sizes in most other countries.

Not sure which suits your campaign? Our guide to choosing the right flyer size goes deeper.

A layout that works almost every time

One strong headline: the benefit, not your company name. “Fresh Pizza Delivered in 30 Minutes” beats “Tony’s Pizzeria”.
One picture: a clear photo of the product, the food, the space or the result.
The offer: what you want them to do, and why now (a discount, a date, an opening).
How to reach you: phone, website, address, and a QR code if you want people to act from their phone.

Leave white space. Crowded flyers are skipped.

Design it free

Our free Flyer Maker works in your browser with no sign-up and no watermark. Start from a template or a blank page in Letter, half-letter, A4 or A5, then add your text, logo, photos, icons and a QR code. There are 135 fonts to choose from. Need something else? There’s also a Poster Maker, Menu Maker and Invitation Maker.

Export settings that print correctly

PDF, 300 DPI. PDF keeps text and layout exactly as designed, and 300 DPI keeps images sharp.
Bleed and crop marks. If colour or a photo runs to the edge, the design needs to extend a little past the trim line (the bleed) so no white edge shows after cutting. Keep important text a safe distance inside the edge.

The Flyer Maker exports a 300 DPI PDF with bleed and crop marks, which any print shop accepts, or a PNG to share online.

Before you print

Proofread twice, then ask someone else to read it. Typos in phone numbers are expensive.
Check photos with the Print-Ready Checker if you added your own.
Check bright colours with the RGB to CMYK Converter: very bright screen colours print slightly duller.

Print it

When it’s ready, order flyers and brochures and upload your PDF. We ship across Canada and to 47 countries, with free pickup in Mississauga; see shipping for details.