What is a leaflet?
Leaflets are a type of open letter or postcard, designed to be handed out to people, either by hand, by post, inserted in local newspapers for distribution, left in venues, shops, restaurants, cafes, libraries... Anywhere where they will catch someone's eye.
Why produce a leaflet?
A leaflet gives you a chance to put across your argument and to draw attention to your organisation, cause or event.
A leaflet also gives you the space to present your ideas clearly and with graphical impact. As people can take leaflets with them, it means they have more time to absorb to your message and to keep a visual reminder of it.
Once distributed, the leaflet may end up being read by many more people that the person it was handed to, widening its impact still further.
Designing a leaflet - the basics
Leaflets are for delivering useful, reusable information. The size and shape of the leaflet is a major factor in its success.
A leaflet that people can't fit easily into a pocket or a bag will be thrown away. Take a piece of paper out of your printer.
It should be A4. Now fold it in half, that's known as A5, now fold it in half again, that's what A6 looks like.
Leaflets are normally created from a single sheet of paper, folded in half (to A5) or in three (to A6). Most leaflets start life as sheets of A4 paper - your design should also start there. Leaflets may seem suitable for audiences who don't read much or well.
However, well-written material will always enable people to make more informed judgments quickly. Don't cram it with text. People won't read it. Instead aim for clarity, strong argument and quality.
Next page: step by step guide to designing a leaflet
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