Think flyers are outdated in the age of reels, tweets, and targeted ads? Think again. Despite the digital noise, this old-school marketing tool is surviving in 2025. And even better, it’s making a bold and practical comeback.
Let’s face it, in a world where almost everything is happening online, it’s easy to assume that printed flyers have lost their place. But to your surprise, they haven’t. In fact, for small businesses, local events, pop-up shops, and community-driven campaigns, flyers are still one of the most effective and affordable ways to get attention.
Why? Because people still live in the physical world. We still walk past notice boards, check our mail, browse store windows, and pick up handouts at cafés and markets. A well-designed flyer delivers information and creates a tangible visual connection that people can hold, keep, and act on.
Even better, flyers have evolved. They’re not limited to paper anymore. Digital versions are shared through email, social media, and messaging apps. You can reach customers on the street and on their screens.
So, if you’re wondering whether flyers are worth your time in 2025, the short answer is yes — but only if you use them smartly.
Proof That Flyers Aren’t Dead in 2025
It might surprise some marketers, but print isn’t just hanging on; it’s quietly regaining ground. And flyers are leading the charge.
In a time where our inboxes are overflowing and ads are skipped or blocked within seconds, flyers offer something different: presence. They can’t be scrolled past or deleted. They sit on countertops, get pinned to boards, handed out face-to-face, or delivered directly into someone’s hands or home. That physical experience creates a connection that digital often can’t match.
And the numbers back it up.
- Flyer response rates range from 2.7% to 4.4% — miles ahead of email’s modest 0.6%.
- Open rates for printed flyers can hit 85%, making them up to four times more effective than email in grabbing attention.
- Around 70% of individuals are influenced by flyers when making purchase decisions.
- Flyers increase first-time purchases. 39% of consumers tried a new product or service when they were introduced to its business flyer.
- 70% of consumers say printed marketing, like flyers, feels more personal than online interactions.
- 54% of millennials and 61% of millennial parents find ads in the mail more personal than digital ads.
The takeaway? Flyers still work, and in some cases, better than digital.
Why Flyers Deserve a Spot in Your Marketing Toolkit
We’re well aware of logos and their use in the business world, and what better place to put your logo than a flyer, which is right in your customer’s hand? Because in a world full of screens, sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that make the strongest impact.
A well-designed flyer still has a way of catching attention that many other forms of marketing can’t. You may think flyers are old-school, but they’re reliable, versatile, and surprisingly effective, especially when you need to promote something quickly, affordably, and locally. Whether it’s a pop-up event, a seasonal sale, or a new business launch, flyers let you spread the word with ease.
Here’s what makes them so useful:
Budget-Friendly and Impact-Ready
Flyers are one of the most cost-effective marketing tools out there. You don’t need a big budget to make a big impression — even a small batch of well-designed flyers can deliver great results. Printing is affordable, and distribution can be as simple or as strategic as you want it to be.
Here’s a general breakdown for standard 8.5" x 11" color flyers:
Perfect for Local and Niche Targeting
Unlike digital ads that cast a wide (and often random) net, flyers let you go straight to the people you actually want to reach. Hand them out near your store, post them in high-traffic community spaces, or include them with local deliveries — the message lands right where it matters.
Here’s an example of a flyer for a local cab service that targets people in Charlotte, NC, with a clear targeted message.
More Attention, Less Skipping
You can scroll past an Instagram ad or close a pop-up. But a flyer? You see it. You hold it. You might pin it to your fridge or desk. That tactile interaction means people often take a moment to actually read it, and that moment is where engagement begins.
Take this example of a flyer that features a bold CTA. This instant, eye-catching offer gives people a reason to stop, read, and take action.
Creative Freedom with Every Design
Flyers aren’t stuck in a template. You can lean into the color psychology to shape perception, try out different fonts, custom shapes, and creative folds, and tailor them to suit your brand’s vibe. Want something fun and playful? Or sleek and professional?
With LogoDesign.Net’s flyer maker, you can design for any industry, for example, promote a high-energy gym class or a cozy neighborhood cafe with total creative control. The sky’s your limit.
Boosts Your Online Reach Too
Flyers don’t have to compete with digital; instead, they can work with it. Add a QR code that links to your website, promote a discount code for online orders, or drive foot traffic to your social channels. It’s a smart, low-tech way to give your high-tech campaigns a real-world push.
Have a look at this restaurant flyer that showcases a QR code front and clear to invite customers to see their newly launched menu with just one quick scan.
How to Design a Flyer That Actually Sells
Now that we’ve covered why flyers still matter in 2025, let’s talk about the part that makes or breaks their success: the design.
Now, designing a flyer doesn’t mean filling space with text and images. It’s more about creating a quick, clear, and compelling message that encourages action. Whether your goal is to bring in foot traffic, promote an event, or push online sales, your flyer needs to do the job fast. Here’s a step-by-step example of how to do it right.
1. Keep Your Branding Front and Center
A strong flyer starts with consistent branding. That includes your colors, fonts, tone of voice, and of course, your logo. Use a versatile logo that works everywhere, whether the flyer is printed, posted on social media, or shared via email. Your brand identity should be instantly recognizable across all platforms.
To design a flyer for a medical home clinic, the first step was to add their company name and medical logo. The flyer’s fonts were kept consistent with their brand identity, and colors were updated to soft blues and whites that are often associated with healthcare and trust.
2. Focus on One Clear Message
When you try to say everything at once, it usually ends in confusion. A good flyer focuses on one central idea. For example, a weekend sale, a grand opening, or a limited-time discount. Whatever your purpose is, make it bold, clear, and easy to understand at first sight.
So here the header was updated to tell readers what the flyer is about instantly. This message is bold and clear so it’s the first thing people notice.
3. Include the Essentials (No Skipping!)
It’s surprisingly common for businesses to forget the basics. Make sure you don’t do that. Your flyer must include all key details:
- Date, time, and location (if it’s for an event)
- Website or landing page
- Social media handles
- Discount codes, contact info, or a call-back number
If you’re offering something, make sure people know where and how to get it. At this step, all essential details were neatly placed at the bottom of the medical flyer.
4. Write for Your Audience
Speak your audience’s language. If your flyer is for a youth-focused product, keep the tone fun and informal. For a more professional service, go clean and straightforward. The content and visuals should reflect the interests, values, and preferences of your target reader.
For the medical flyer, we kept the tone calm, trustworthy, and professional, which speaks to a wide age range.
5. Less Is More (Visually, Too)
A flyer isn’t meant to be a full brochure—design with minimalism in mind. Keep the layout light and uncluttered. Use short sentences, bullet points, and enough white space so the eye doesn’t feel overwhelmed. A few bold visuals or icons can do more than paragraphs of text. That’s exactly what we did for the medical flyer.
6. Tell Them What to Do Next
Your flyer should always include a call-to-action (CTA). Whether it’s “Visit our website,” “Call now,” “Use this promo code,” or “Show this flyer in-store for 10% off,” make sure the user understands the next step quickly and clearly.
See how we included the CTA on the flyer template.
7. Add a Reason to Act Now
Do you want higher response rates? Give readers a reason to act quickly. Add promo codes, limited-time offers, and early bird specials. These not only drive interest but also create a sense of urgency. Research shows this can increase flyer response rates by up to 33%.
8. Make It Trackable
You can also measure how well your flyer is performing by adding custom URLs or unique discount codes. Adding a QR code is also a good idea, which you can create with ease using a QR code generator. This way, you’ll see real results and insights that you can use to improve your next campaign.
To tie print to digital, we added a custom QR code that sits right next to the CTA and links directly to the online booking page.
What to Consider When Printing and Distributing Flyers
Done with the design part? You’re halfway through the battle. The other half is printing, where your ideas come to life. The quality, size, paper, and even how you fold or finish your flyer can completely change how it’s received.
Plus, if you want your flyer to stand out in someone’s hand (and not end up in the bin), you’ve got to treat printing like part of the process, not just the final step. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Plan With Your Printer, Not After
A lot of businesses design the flyer first and think about printing later. But if you involve your printer early on, you can avoid issues and take advantage of expert advice on:
- Paper types and finishes (like coated or non-coated, matte, glossy, or silk)
- Best sizes for your use case (A7, A6, A5, postcard, square, custom)
- Fold options (flat page, z-fold, roll fold, and so on)
- Inks like black and white, pigment, dye, and color
- Options for sustainable printing
Make everything feel cohesive and polished, and your flyer has a much better shot at getting noticed.
Think Smart About Distribution
Where and how you hand out flyers matters just as much as the design.
Here are a few creative ideas:
- Slide them into shopping bags at checkout
- Leave stacks at local cafés or salons
- Hand them out in busy areas like malls, markets, or community events
- Hire a brand ambassador in costume for themed promotions (Santa during holidays, for example)
The goal is to be present where your target audience already is.
Create Real-Life Moments With Your Brand
Sometimes, the best way to make your flyer unforgettable is to pair it with a real and physical experience. Giving customers something they can taste, smell, or try instantly makes your brand more memorable. Here’s how some brands have done it right:
• Maybelline pop-up consultations
At a global event, Maybelline hosted in-person beauty consultation booths. They handed out flyers alongside mini makeovers to give people a live experience and a printed takeaway with a QR code to shop the products later. This direct interaction strengthened brand trust and drove follow-up online sales.
• Gym growth fueled by flyers + trials
A local gym used flyers with a QR code linking to a free trial signup. They handed them out at parks and coffee shops and ran social campaigns encouraging visitors to share their workout journey. The result? 15% more new members, 30% more website traffic, and a 25% boost in social engagement.
These small but strategic moves go a long way in connecting your flyer with a real experience that sticks in people’s minds far longer than a digital ad or email ever could.
But Can Flyer Marketing Compete with Online Marketing?
Digital marketing is everywhere, from Instagram stories to Google search results. But traditional tools like flyers aren’t outdated and still hold their ground.
Today, flyer marketing stands toe-to-toe with digital marketing.
- When online ads get skipped or scrolled past in seconds, flyers are harder to ignore. According to the Data and Marketing Association, 79% of people keep flyers, and 48% actually respond to them.
- Flyers are excellent for local impact, they go with you where you nedd them like homes and neighborhoods. Whether you’re targeting one block or an entire city zone, physical distribution offers precision that even geo-targeted online ads can’t match.
- Flyer marketing costs less and delivers more, especially for local campaigns. There are no bidding wars or ad fatigue, just a direct, affordable way to be seen.
- Flyers create a physical, face-to-face moment. Whether it’s handed out at an event or delivered with a smile, that human connection builds trust, and trust drives sales. A report by MPI confirms that 40% prospects converted to new customers via face-to-face meetings.
The Best Flyer Designs to Spark Inspiration
1. Oxana Design Studio
Image Source: behance
A minimalist yet striking concertina-style flyer that teases viewers with a cryptic layout and powerful typography, ultimately prompting them to dig deeper.
2. Prémio Douro Criativo
Image Source: behance
A clever folded design by Portuguese studio Lateral (with Nick Öhlo). This double-sided flyer uses folds to alternate bold color blocks and striking patterns. The playful layout invites interaction and stands out in a stack.
3. Vans Surf Pro Classic
Image Source: behance
Vans’ flyer oozes retro surf vibes with bold 80s–90s artwork, hand-drawn by Ian Jepson. Its vibrant colors and playful design perfectly match the brand’s summer spirit.
4. The Good Ramen
Image Source: behance
This eye-catching flyer pairs a bold 80% discount with charming Japanese-style illustrations. Designed by Anika Rhidi, it blends playful art and typography to tempt every ramen lover.
5. Afrodyssée Fashion & Crafts Expo
Image Source: behance
Designed by VELKRO, this flyer uses bold colors, clean lines, and traditional Adinkra symbols to promote a high-end African fashion event. It blends modern style with cultural depth.
Final Words
Flyers are far from dead in 2025. In a world overloaded with digital noise, they offer a tangible way to connect with customers. From driving foot traffic to boosting brand recall, they’re a low-cost, high-impact tool that still gets results, especially when paired with smart design and thoughtful distribution.
Whether you’re a small business, event organizer, or launching a new product, flyers can complement your digital strategy and help you stand out in your local market. So before you go all-in on paid ads, consider the power of a well-placed, well-designed flyer.
The best part is that you don’t need to be a designer to create a flyer. Using a flyer maker, you can create a professional flyer in minutes and get your message out fast. Begin today!
