Leaflets are printed sheets of either A4, A5, A6 size paper, A6 being the smallest. The reason they are small is so that they can be easily handed out and kept. As leaflets are often only looked at fleetingly, facts are kept to a minimum.
Step 1 How do you want your leaflet to look?
You should try not to explain too much within a leaflet and your text should be short. Successful leaflets;
1) Grab the readers attention
2) Give a clear idea of what the reader is expected to do
3) Keep that idea in the reader's mind, and
4) Persuade the reader to take action.
Professional Leaflets
If your leaflet needs to look ultra professional, consider using professional printers who may have a graphic designer to do the hard work. They will also cut and fold the paper so you end up with quality looking leaflets. If you are going to use professional printers, you should ensure;
1) The Printer is clear about the colors you require.
2) The paper is thick enough to prevent the ink bleeding through to the other side.
3) Any images you provide are sufficient quality (jpeg or tiff format 300dpi minimum).
If you are advertising something like a car boot sale, you would probably want to create the leaflet yourself.
TIP:Professional printing services vary in price and quality, always ask around or a few quotes and look at customer commendations.
DIY Leaflet Design
Due to the burgeoning market in desktop publishing software, these days doing it yourself is not hard. You could of course stick to a simple word processor such as Microsoft Word or the free Open Office. However it is recommended to use specialist software that makes the creative process far simpler. Mid-range products include Serif Publisher and Microsoft Publisher, and both come with lots of free templates. If you can use Microsoft Word, you will be able to learn how to use Microsoft Publisher quite easily.
TIP: Microsoft Publisher is an expensive option. However by clicking to the Microsoft Website you will be able to download a free two month trial, which is more than enough time to create your leaflet.
Step 2 Designing your leaflet
Be clear
Have a clear understanding of what and where you will put everything;
1) Sketch out your heading, text blocks and graphics
2) Be clear what the promotion is about, stating when and where it is taking place and how much it costs. If its free, say so!
3) Include contact information, and where to get further details
Keep it Simple
Leaflets are looked at quickly, so the content needs to be transferred very efficiently;
1) Keep the words to minimum
2) Use images to reinforce your words
3) Use bullet points, heading, paragraphs, fonts and italics
4) Above all, leave as much empty space as you can. When you make a leaflet, less is often more.
Step 3 Writing your leaflet
Be Persuasive
Writing content that sells is an art, but sticking to a few principles will guide you in the right direction;
1) Sell a desirable outcome, a solution to a problem
2) Be specific, state the benefit clearly in the leaflet
3) Choose one or two of the most attractive things about the promotion, and present it clearly
Make an impact and be memorable; stand out and be different. Use compelling language and words that make people think. Be as outrageous as possible, bearing in mind your target audience. Humor, used appropriately, is also a great way to communicate. It relaxes people and makes them feel more comfortable about the message you are presenting.
Step 4 Review your work
Present your work to your friends. Show them the leaflet for 5 seconds and then ask them questions about its content. If they fail to remember the important points, the leaflet is not clear enough. Listen to your friends, write down any new ideas they may have. Listen to yourself, discussing your work with others will stimulate new ideas of your own. When the final draft is ready, always give your work to someone else to proof read.
Step 5 Producing your Leaflet
Most people print their own leaflets using a black and white printer, because this is cheaper than color. When you print out your leaflets, pay attention to the following;
1) Use brightly colored paper to get attention.
2) Images and text may not be very clear in black and white, so ensure high contrast between text, images and the background.
3) Ensure you use a readable font size (size 11 or 12).
Hopefully you now have a clear understanding of the process of making a leaflet. But before you start, plan the process yourself so you know exactly what you are trying to achieve and the steps on how to achieve it.
This article is copyright of Camden Print; Leaflet Printers in the UK.