Flyer

A flyer is a short, usually single-page promotional document distributed to the public to advertise events, products, services, or announcements. Flyers are designed to be inexpensive and quick to read, using bold headlines, concise text, and imagery to convey a message and a call to action.

Traditional flyers are printed on paper and handed out in public spaces, inserted into mailboxes, or posted on cork boards and storefronts. Digital flyers are created as image or PDF files and shared via email, websites, or social media, enabling rapid widespread distribution with lower production costs.

Formats vary from simple one-sided sheets to folded leaflets or small handouts attached to posters. Design considerations include audience, readability, hierarchy of information, contrast, and branding. A clear purpose and a single call to action improve effectiveness.

History: The practice originated with handbills and broadsides in early modern Europe and became a staple of advertising in the 19th and 20th centuries. The term "flyer" reflects the idea of information that can reach potential readers quickly.

Legal and ethical aspects: truthfulness of claims, copyright, and local rules governing street distribution or door-to-door campaigns may apply. Privacy and consent concerns arise when collecting data via digital flyers.

In modern use, flyers remain common for events, promotions, and community notices; their effectiveness depends on targeting, quality of design, and distribution reach.