by One of the reasons the two terms are interchangeable is because both of these printed products have similar physical characteristics which include:
- Both flyers and leaflets are an unbound, single sheet of printed paper
- Both terms are used to describe a printed sheet which details information of an advertising nature such as events, product sheets, special offers or promotions etc.
- Flyers and Leaflets are both low costs printed items usually printed in higher quantities and distributed free.
- Both are described as “throw away” as the information contained is usually short term and not designed to be kept.
Leaflets
This print product is quite similar to flyers so it’s only natural that most people struggle to tell the difference and some are actually convinced they’re the same thing. While the terms leaflet and flyer are often used interchangeably, there are some minor differences. In general, leaflets tend to be a bit smaller and they are usually supposed to be of the better quality too. Of course, this makes them more expensive as well.
The boundary between flyer and leaflets becomes clear when looking at how they are used. As we mentioned above, the main function of flyers is to hand out as many copies as possible to a broad audience in specific location. To achieve the highest ROI, they need to be cheap. On the other hand, leaflets could be used in the same way, but their superior quality and design make them a more attractive option for targeting a more specific group or promoting a product or service with higher value. As a result, leaflets can be inserted in local newspapers, they can be stored in shops, restaurants and other popular places, or they can be placed in your own corporate offices for potential customers. In short, you could make the case that flyers are for one-time events and promotions, while leaflets are better suited for content and company information that has a longer shelf life.
- A single sheet of paper printed either single or double sided which may be supplied flat or folded. The leaflet should contain marketing or advertising information
- The paper used should be a paper weight such as 130gsm, 150gsm or 170gsm.
Flyers
Flyers, also known as handbills, are one of the most popular print marketing products because they are so cheap to produce and easy to distribute. They are usually flat, rectangular and approximately the size of a adult hand making them perfect to pass out to passersby on the street. However, flyers come in all sizes and formats, ranging from small 2’’ x 3.5’’ papers to large squared flyers. What they have in common though is that they are typically double-sided so that they include more information and visuals. The small exception comes if you want to hang them somewhere, then of course it makes more financial sense to merely print on one side.
In regards to the usage of flyers, we’ve all come across them many times in our daily lives. They’re often handed out on the streets, exhibitions and events, even though many people throw them away instantly. Since you’ll probably only have a few seconds to connect with your potential customers before the paper lands in the next bin, a good flyer needs to stand out visually to be effective. However, that doesn’t always mean you should overinvest in flyer printing. Their main objective is typically to merely inform a customer, so you should try to be cost-effective with paper and ink quality. The great thing about flyers is that they can be leveraged for almost any cause from events, promotions or political campaigns that you’re trying to highlight. Keep in mind that they work best when you are targeting a small region, since flyers allow you to get your message out to a large number of people within a physical location at a low price point.
- A single unfolded sheet of paper printed either single or double sided, containing any information which is advertising in nature.
- The paper used should be a board weight for example 300gsm or 350gsm
