How To Design A Flyer or Leaflet That Actually Gets Noticed

Posted on July 9, 2025July 10, 2025 by Alec

Ever seen a stack of flyers left at the edge of a counter, practically untouched? It’s a bit heartbreaking, isn’t it? You’ve put time, money, and hope into getting your message out… but somehow, it just blends into the background. If you’re wondering how to design a flyer or leaflet that actually gets noticed — one that people pick up, read, and act on — you’re in the right place.

We’ve worked with enough local businesses to spot the difference between a flyer that flies and one that sinks. Whether you’re DIY-ing in Microsoft Word, using a design tool, or partnering with a print shop, here’s how to stand out (for all the right reasons).

The Real Trick: Why Some Flyers Work (And Others Don’t)

Let’s get something out of the way: good flyer design doesn’t start with fancy fonts or a flashy logo. The real power is in clear, bold messaging and making things easy for your reader. If your flyer takes more than a few seconds to understand, it goes straight into the recycling.

Here’s what matters most:

A head-turning headline
Vibrant, accessible colours
Clean, uncluttered design (less really is more)
One clear call-to-action (CTA)

People are short on time and attention. The quicker they get your point, the better.

How Do I Make a Flyer and Leaflet? Where to Start

You don’t need a degree in graphic design for this — promise! Here’s a quick step-by-step for DIY designers:

Know Your Goal: What are you actually asking people to do? Visit your shop, check out a service, or attend an event? Nail this first so your message stays focused.
Write a Simple Headline: Aim for something bold and direct. “50% Off This Weekend” beats a flowery description every time.
Keep Text Short and Sweet: Imagine reading your flyer at arm’s length. Use bullet points, don’t be afraid of white space, and ditch anything that doesn’t drive your main message home.
Use Strong Images or Icons: A well-chosen photo or graphic quickly grabs attention. Ensure it’s high-resolution and directly relates to what you’re offering.
Add an Obvious CTA: What should people do next? Call you? Scan a QR code? Visit your shop?
Include Key Details: Don’t forget dates, locations, and any other essential information. But avoid stuffing every last bit of information onto one side.
Double-Check It All: Typos and dodgy images will kill your credibility. Give it a once-over, then ask a friend to check.

Making a Leaflet in Microsoft Word? Totally Doable

Microsoft Word gets a bad rap in the design world, but for simple leaflets, it’s a handy tool. Start with a blank document set to your preferred leaflet size (A5 and DL are popular options). Keep your layout clean: use tables to align content, insert images at high quality, and limit your font choices to two at most.

Need a quick design example? Imagine you’re running a local fitness class:

Top: Big headline like “Yoga in the Park”
Middle: A striking image of your class in action
Next: Clear details (when, where, cost)
Bottom: Big, bold CTA (“Book Your Free Trial – Call 01234 567890”)

Keep backgrounds light for easy reading. Resist the urge to use five different colours. Simpler is always better.

Top Tips to Make Your Flyer Stand Out

Ready for the real secret sauce? These little tweaks will take your flyer from dull to memorable:

Contrast is King: Strong colour contrasts (black on yellow, white on blue) help text stand out from the page.
Chunk Your Information: Break info into bite-size sections with headings — nobody wants to read a wall of text.
Use High-Quality Print: Blurry images or flimsy paper can torpedo your efforts. The right finishing touches matter just as much as the design.
Highlight What’s Unique: Is your offer time-limited? Are you the only shop in town with this service? Put that front and centre.
Personal Touches Win: Local imagery, familiar language, or even a local map can make readers feel seen.

Need inspiration or want a more professional finish? Teaming up with North Wales printers can get your project that little bit further, especially if you want your designs to last longer than a few hours on the noticeboard.

Common Flyer Pitfalls (And How to Dodge Them)

We see it all the time: gorgeous pictures that completely block out phone numbers, or flyers so jam-packed that you need a magnifying glass. Here are a few things to avoid:

Too Much Info: Don’t try to fit War & Peace on a leaflet. Less text leads to more action.
Busy Backgrounds: Dark or detailed backgrounds make text hard to read.
Missing Calls-to-Action: Don’t leave people guessing what to do next.

If you’re ever unsure, print a test copy and ask someone outside your team, “Would you pick this up? Does it grab you?” If the answer’s no, tweak and try again.

What to Ask Your Print Partner

If you want your leaflet to live longer than a takeaway menu, your print finish needs to be spot on. When chatting to a print shop, ask:

What paper stock do you recommend for my budget and audience?
Can I see samples of previous work? (A good print partner loves to show off.)
Will my images look sharp and true to life at the finished size?
Are there additional finishing options (such as matt or gloss) that might add oomph?

For all things flyers and leaflets printing, a local expert can save you time, stress, and even money in the long run.

👉 Flyer & Leaflet Printing – Fineline Print & Web

Round-Up: Simple, Bold Flyers Win Every Time

Designing a flyer or leaflet isn’t about cramming as much as possible onto a tiny space. It’s about making your message so clear and inviting that people want to pick it up. Start with what matters most — a bold headline, strong images, and a clear next step for your audience.

And if you’re looking for printing services North Wales or just want to chat through your ideas, that’s where we can help. Remember: with the right design, your flyers and leaflets can work a lot harder for you — and avoid life at the bottom of the recycle bin.