Well-designed print materials are still one of the most effective ways to grab attention, tell your story, and inspire action. Whether you’re promoting a product launch, a community event, or a new service, flyers and brochures remain marketing staples because they’re tangible, versatile, and cost-effective. But standing out in a sea of printed pieces takes more than just putting your logo on a page—it’s about smart design and thoughtful messaging.
Here are the best practice tips we recommend following when designing flyers and brochures for your business.
Start with the Purpose
Before you dive into colours and fonts, be clear about what you want your flyer or brochure to achieve. Is it to drive foot traffic to a sale? Generate enquiries for a new service? Or provide detailed information about your business?
- Flyers work best for quick-impact promotions, events, and offers.
- Brochures shine when you need to communicate more detail in a structured, professional format.
Once the purpose is clear, every design choice—layout, imagery, copy—should serve that goal.
Keep It Simple and Striking
Clutter is the enemy of good design. A flyer should make its point in seconds, while brochures should guide readers through information without overwhelming them.
Best practices:
- Use bold headlines and concise copy.
- Focus on one key message or offer per piece.
- Break up text with visuals, icons, and white space.
- Stick to 2–3 complementary fonts and a limited colour palette.
If you’re not sure where to start, think about your audience. What imagery, words, or colours will resonate with them most?
Use High-Quality Imagery
Nothing devalues a flyer or brochure faster than pixelated logos or blurry stock photos. Invest in professional photography if you can—or at the very least, source sharp, high-resolution images.
Remember: your design should look as premium as the product or service you’re offering.
Think About Flow and Hierarchy
In brochures especially, how information flows matters. People naturally scan, so make it easy to absorb:
- Front cover: strong visual and headline to capture attention.
- Inside panels: build the story logically, with subheadings and sections.
- Back cover: clear contact details and a call-to-action (CTA).
For flyers, the hierarchy is even more critical—your main message should be the first thing they see, supported by key details and then a clear CTA.
Include a Strong Call-to-Action
Never leave your audience guessing what to do next. Whether it’s “Book online today,” “Call us for a free quote,” or “Visit us in-store this weekend,” your CTA should be bold, direct, and repeated where appropriate.
DIY Design? Canva Makes It Easy
Not every business has access to a graphic designer—and that’s okay. Tools like Canva make it simple to design professional-looking flyers and brochures with templates that you can customise with your brand colours, fonts, and images.
We’ve even created a series of step-by-step Canva Guides to help you get started with artwork that’s print-ready.
Print for Impact
Even the best design falls flat if it’s not printed well. Choose a finish that suits your brand—matte for a modern, understated look, or gloss for vibrancy and shine. At Inteliprint, we offer a wide range of paper stocks and finishes for both flyers and brochures to make your marketing materials stand out. Talk to our team if you’d like advice on what’s best for your flyer or brochure.
Flyers and brochures are powerful tools when designed with purpose, simplicity, and audience in mind. By combining strong design fundamentals with quality printing, you can create marketing pieces that don’t just get noticed—they get results.
Ready to start designing? Try Canva with our free guides or talk to us about the best print options for your next campaign.
