On this page 8 sections
Good leaflet artwork goes straight to print. Every file you upload gets an automatic check for size, resolution and bleed; add File check for £4.99 and a person looks at it too and fixes small problems. Setting it up right first saves you a day.
Leaflet artwork: the 60-second check
- Right size: the finished size you ordered, for example A5 at 148 x 210 mm.
- Bleed: 3 mm extra on every edge.
- Safe area: words and logos at least 4 mm inside the trim, and clear of folds and staples.
- Sharp enough: photos at 300 dpi at the printed size.
- Colour: CMYK, with rich black for large dark areas.
- Fonts: embedded or outlined; booklets as one PDF of single pages in reading order.
Which file to send
A PDF is best, with fonts embedded or converted to outlines. AI, EPS and SVG are fine, and so are high-resolution JPG, PNG and TIFF files. Made it in Word, PowerPoint or Canva? Export a full-quality print PDF with bleed rather than sending the original document.
Document sizes for flyers and leaflets
Set the page to the finished size, then add 3 mm bleed on every edge.
| Size | Finished | With bleed |
|---|---|---|
| A7 | 74 x 105 mm | 80 x 111 mm |
| A6 | 105 x 148 mm | 111 x 154 mm |
| DL | 99 x 210 mm | 105 x 216 mm |
| A5 | 148 x 210 mm | 154 x 216 mm |
| A4 | 210 x 297 mm | 216 x 303 mm |
| A3 | 297 x 420 mm | 303 x 426 mm |
Folded leaflets: panel order and widths
Supply folded and creased leaflets as flat artwork, outside pages on page one and inside pages on page two. For a roll fold (tri fold), the panel that tucks inside should be 2 to 3 mm narrower than the other two so the leaflet closes flat; a Z fold uses three equal panels. Keep text a few millimetres away from every fold line.
Booklets and brochures
Send one PDF of single pages in reading order (not printer spreads), each with 3 mm bleed, and a page count that matches your order: stapled booklets go up in fours. Keep text at least 5 mm from the spine edge, more for wiro booklets where the holes are punched. Perfect bound covers need a spine; its width depends on the page count and paper.
Foil, door hangers and rounded corners
For metallic foil flyers, put the foil areas on a separate page or layer in solid 100% black, as vector shapes, and avoid very fine lines. On door hangers, keep text clear of the hanger hole. On rounded corner flyers, keep anything important away from the corners.
Resolution and colour
Leaflets are read in the hand, so photos need about 300 dpi at the printed size. A logo copied from a website is usually too small; ask for the original or choose a logo redraw. Printers use CMYK inks, so very bright RGB greens, blues and oranges can look a little flatter on paper. Uncoated and kraft stocks soften colours further.
No artwork yet?
Every product has an Artwork choice. Upload your own file, design it in the online designer, or add a fixed-fee option from our leaflet design service: typesetting, design from your brief, a logo redraw or a new logo. If the automatic check rejects a file for low resolution, you can upload a better file, send it later, add File check for £4.99, or hand it to our designers. Not sure? Ask us.