5 Graphic Design Rules for Flyers

It is easy to throw together a flyer using clip art images, a few colors, and a couple of different fonts, but will a quick design without more thought be worth the printing costs? Following some graphic design rules will only add a little more time to your design process and will also help you produce flyers that will have a higher ROI.

Rule 1: The headline should accurately and realistically convey what your company or product can do for the consumer. Avoid including your business name as this will add too many words to the headline, which should be short yet impactful.

Rule 2: Use sans serif fonts for headlines and serif fonts for body text. Sans serif fonts have straight lines that are difficult to read which is why they should only be used for large font sizes. Serif fonts contain hooks and curves on the tips of the letters making smaller fonts easier to read.

Rule 3: Be consistent with your design. Use the same text and colors for the main headers, a different text and, possibly, color for all of the informational text, and another color for backgrounds.

Rule 4: Group related items together. Use columns, borders, or boxes to organize ideas, although avoid too many boxes as this can create clutter. Be sure the spacing and placement remains consistent throughout the flyer.

Rule 5: Use high-resolution images instead of clip art. Buy inexpensive stock photos or take your own pictures with the company digital camera. Be sure that whatever pictures you use enhances the message of the flyer.

Once you have created the flyer following these graphic design rules, create a couple more samples. Change one or two items (the placement of images or font type) in each example, and then print each proof to see which catches the eye and presents a clear message. Possibly try breaking some of the rules. Sometimes the rule-breaker will be the winning flyer.

Related Articles

• Design Ideas for a Unique Business Card
• Understanding the Layout of a Trifold Brochure
• How to Create a Simple and Amazing Poster in Photoshop
• 10 Tips to Design a Business Card that Will Land Leads
• How to Create a Quick and Amazing Brochure in Photoshop