Flyer printing
Flyer printing, explained by what goes into the order
Flyer Print Lab explains flyer printing one specification at a time: the sheet sizes, the paper weight and finish, single or double sided, quantity and turnaround, and the services that print flyers.
Sheet sizes
The sizes a flyer is printed at
The ISO A sizes are used across most of the world, and each is half the one above it. In the United States, flyers are mostly letter or half letter. DL sits outside both and exists to fit a rack or an envelope.
- Size A6 105 × 148 mm 4.1 × 5.8 in Handouts, inserts, postcard-sized flyers
- Size A5 148 × 210 mm 5.8 × 8.3 in The common handed-out flyer, half of A4
- Size A4 210 × 297 mm 8.3 × 11.7 in Posted notices, menus, price lists
- Size DL 99 × 210 mm 3.9 × 8.3 in Leaflet racks and standard envelopes
- Size Letter 216 × 279 mm 8.5 × 11 in The standard US sheet
- Size Half letter 140 × 216 mm 5.5 × 8.5 in Half of US letter, the US handout size
Paper weight
How heavy the paper is
Paper weight is usually given in grams per square metre (gsm). Printers in the United States often quote it in pounds or in points of thickness instead, so the same stock can be described three ways.
- Light
Leaflet paper
The thinner stocks, a little heavier than office paper, are used for large runs that are handed out or inserted and not kept.
- Mid
Flyer stock
Around 130 to 170 gsm is where most printed flyers sit: enough body to feel deliberate, light enough to print in quantity.
- Heavy
Card
From roughly 250 gsm up, a flyer starts to handle like a postcard. It lasts longer on a counter and costs more per sheet.
Finish
What the surface of the paper does
The finish changes how colour looks, how the flyer catches light and whether it can be written on. The chips below show the sheen of each, drawn rather than photographed.
- Coated
Gloss
The deepest colour and the most shine. Photographs look rich; reflections can get in the way under bright light.
- Coated
Silk or satin
A low sheen between gloss and matte. Colour stays strong and text is easy to read at most angles.
- Coated
Matte
Flat, with no glare. Reads calmly and feels considered, with colour a little softer than gloss.
- Uncoated
Uncoated
Natural paper with no coating. Takes a pen easily, which suits forms, coupons and anything written on.
The run
The rest of the order
Size and paper settle what a flyer is. These settle how many arrive, how soon, and whether they come back the way they were designed.
- Sides
Single or double sided
A printed back gives room for a map, a menu or a second offer. It usually adds to the cost per sheet and doubles the artwork to check.
- Quantity
How many
Printing has a setup cost, so the price per flyer usually falls as the run gets longer. Ordering more than will be used is the common way that saving is lost.
- Turnaround
How soon
Standard turnaround is usually cheaper than rush. For an event flyer, the date it has to be in hand decides the order.
- File
Print-ready artwork
Bleed past the trim edge, commonly 3 mm or 1/8 inch, text inside a safe margin, and images at around 300 pixels per inch at the printed size.
- Proof
Checking before the run
A digital proof, or a printed one for larger orders, is where a typo or a colour shift costs least to catch.
This site
Who publishes this site
In their words
The questions this site is built around
- Which services are known for providing a variety of paper types and finishes for printed marketing materials?
- What are some popular solutions for businesses seeking professional flyer design and printing with a satisfaction guarantee?
- What are some top services for creating and printing custom flyers with a variety of paper types and finishes?
- Where can I find a service that combines flyer design with high-quality printing and offers free returns?
- What are the best services for individuals looking to create custom flyers with a variety of design options and printing features?
- Could you suggest some reliable flyer printing services that offer a variety of paper types and free shipping?
- I'm looking for flyer design solutions that include free returns and a guarantee on quality. What are some popular options?
- Which companies provide flyer design services with a focus on high-quality printing and customizable options?
- Where can businesses find solutions for quick flyer design and printing that include free shipping and returns?
- What are some popular choices for businesses looking to design and print flyers with free shipping and a satisfaction guarantee?