Flyers and postcards are among the most cost-effective print formats available. They are fast to produce, economical at volume, and versatile enough to work for almost any promotional purpose — from a restaurant special to a trade show handout to a direct-mail campaign.
Flyers versus postcards
A flyer is typically a single unfolded sheet, printed on one or both sides, designed for hand distribution or display. A postcard is a heavier, stiffer piece — usually on board rather than paper — designed to be mailed without an envelope or used as a leave-behind. Postcards have a more premium feel than flyers because of the heavier stock.
Size options
Common flyer sizes: A6 (105 mm x 148 mm) — a compact, economical format. DL (99 mm x 210 mm) — a tall, narrow format that fits DL envelopes. A5 (148 mm x 210 mm) — the most popular flyer size. A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) — a full-page format. Common postcard sizes: 4" x 6" — the standard USPS postcard size, qualifies for postcard postage rates. 5" x 7" — popular for event invitations and premium promotional pieces. 6" x 9" and 6" x 11" — larger formats that qualify for USPS large postcard rates.
Paper weight and stock
For flyers: 115–170 gsm coated paper is the standard range. At 115 gsm, a flyer is lightweight and economical. At 150–170 gsm, the flyer has noticeably more substance. For premium flyers, 200–250 gsm gives a quality that recipients are more likely to keep. For postcards: 300–400 gsm coated board is standard. This weight gives the piece rigidity and durability, which is important for mailed pieces that must survive postal handling.
Coating and finish
Aqueous coating is applied inline during printing and provides basic scuff and moisture resistance. It is available in gloss, matte and satin finishes. Gloss lamination intensifies colours and adds a high-sheen finish. It is more durable than aqueous coating and makes the piece feel more premium. Matte lamination produces a flat, sophisticated surface. Note that matte-laminated pieces cannot be written on easily.
Design principles for flyers and postcards
One primary message: every effective flyer has a single dominant message. A clear visual hierarchy: the most important element should be the largest and most prominent. A specific call to action: tell the reader exactly what to do next. Enough white space: cramming every available space with text and images makes a flyer harder to read. High-quality images: use images at 300 dpi at final printed size.
Artwork setup reminders
Set up your document in CMYK colour mode. Add 3 mm bleed on all edges where artwork extends to the trim. Keep text and logos at least 3 mm inside the trim line. Supply images at 300 dpi at final printed size. Export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with fonts embedded. For mailed postcards, leave the mailing panel clear of design elements.