Flyers are often used as handouts at conventions and trade shows, as bulletins posted around the neighborhood, to reach an internal audience at a business or organization, or even as part of a direct mail package. Other uses include product spec sheets or demo sheets.

If there’s one in your future, here are a few suggestions to make sure it gives your message the maximum boost.

They are generally printed on one or two sides of an unfolded piece of paper, usually a standard 8.5″ x 11″ sheet.

There’s no reason why you can’t create a half-page piece, simply by dividing the page the tall way. At 4.25″ x 11″, this size stands out and demands attention.

Regardless of size, most effective flyers have something in common - large, colorful, eye-catching visuals. Visuals are especially important when designing flyers without much text.

A short message adrift in an ocean of space looks lost.

What you need to do is anchor the text with art. Make the art as big as possible - go right off the margins if you want.

A gradient background also works, as do bars of color. Smaller graphic elements can also break up the white space and help lead readers’ eyes to the text.

Even when you’re working with a lot of text, you can make the art the focal point. Enlarge the image, screen it back, and run text right over it, or inside a semi-transparent white box laid over the visual.

Another way to handle a lot of text is to break it up with several smaller images sprinkled through the copy.

Borders are also effective design techniques.

Whether you choose a ready-made border, build one yourself by placing a full-image in the background, or combine images for a custom look, a graphic border gives you the impact of a large-scale image and leaves room for your message.

If possible, add color to important information to draw readers’ attention.