So… do you know the difference between flyers and leaflets? Are there any technical distinctions between these two widely used printed goods? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple solution. Both users and printing businesses frequently use the two words to refer to the same sort of product. Both of these printed items share a number of physical traits, including the following, which is one of the reasons the two words are interchangeable:
- Flyers and leaflets are both single, unbound sheets of printed paper.
- A printed sheet that contains information of an advertising character, such as events, product sheets, special offers or promotions, etc., is referred to by both terms.
- Both flyers and leaflets are inexpensive printed materials that are typically produced in greater quantities and given away for free.
- Both are referred to as “throw aways” since the information they contain is typically transient and not intended to be stored.
The difference in use may distinguish the two if there is little physical variation between them. Flyers used to be printed papers that were distributed to promote events, club nights, concerts, etc. At one point, the phrase “Club Flyer” was widely used. In the past, a leaflet was typically used to disseminate information or advertisements for political parties or charitable organisations. However, these terms are now not solely used in this way.
Flyers
- A single unfolded sheet of paper with a single or double-sided print design and any advertising-related content.
- Board weight paper should be used, such as 300gsm or 350gsm.
Leaflets
- A single sheet of paper with printing on one or both sides that can be delivered folded or flat. The flyer should include marketing or advertising data.
- A paper weight of 130gsm, 150gsm, or 170gsm should be utilised.
Making sure printed products are properly titled may seem irrelevant, but in the UK, doing so could result in additional costs. Flyers and leaflets are both VAT-free, however data capture cards, for instance, are subject to VAT at 20%. Despite sharing the same physical attributes as a flyer—a single printed sheet—data capture cards may nevertheless be subject to VAT.