Flyer and Brochure Design

**Ferros** · 03-02-2011 08:03 PM

Hey guys, I've got a question I hope you all can help me out with.

As something to do on the side, I've offered to help my father out with his business. Business is good, however, it can always be doing better. We are an OBC, offering virtual / physical offices, in addition to professional office services.

We recently concluded that we wanted to make some brochures or flyers. Something to put around the local Starbucks and etc. for entrepreneurs that can't afford, or aren't aware of, virtual and physical offices and try to hold meetings with clients or partners in a coffee shop.
In short: Pretty focused campaign, relatively small.

In order to make his life easier and be economical, I've been trying to find programs to make our little advertisement. I'm a pretty capable guy on the computer, and have experience with the whole Microsoft Office Suite and various Adobe products, though not much with graphical design.

Given that most amateur (Microsoft Publisher - Though I haven't used the latest version) programs come out looking.. well. Amateur. Does anyone have suggestions for programs? I've borrowed Quark Express from a friend, though this seems like something that would take me a month to learn correctly, and doesn't supply any kind of graphical design. We have plenty of stock photo and design accounts, so that's not a horrible issue. Just need something intuitive that won't cause my brain to go into seizure.

Alternatively - If you guys think this is a poor route to go, feel free to suggest alternatives that you have either used, or as a professional, think would be better suited.

Thanks!

**siryellow1** · 03-24-2011 05:07 PM

While it may sound like an odd recommendation, forget trying to make it look good.

Use a big bold powerful headline (this will grab their attention better than anything else) that's targeted to your audience, and an editorial format (think newspaper article) for the information. You can easily put a single picture in think newspaper with a caption to add some visual element if it will help.

**tisvlad** · 03-27-2011 11:44 AM

Ferros, I own a graphic design and printing company. I strongly recommend that you don't take on the design yourself. First, as you mention, it will most likely look amateur. Second, if you use the wrong software or technically design wrong for print output, then printing your marketing collateral will cost you more.

A simple flier for handing out should not be expensive even with a professional designer. I couldn't imagine that this would cost you more than a couple hundred dollars. You should be able to get this investment back rather quickly.

Also, maybe your local printing company will offer you a discount on printing and designing if you order both at once. In this economy, everyone is working hard on ideas to keep business coming in. For example, my company is currently developing a startup business package including most everything you may need to promote your business: 1) Stationery Kit 2) Marketing Package consisting of fliers and mailers 3) Signs consisting of banners and posters 4) Forms consisting of simple b&w printing.

I would guesstimate that we could design your flier in the $100 range, and offer discounted printing on top of it. I'm not at work this moment, so don't recall exact printing pricing, but do know that I have have online printing specials for full color fliers 250 for $75 (single sided 8.5x11. We can also do smaller more convenient fliers for handout, such as 4x9, 4x6, 5.5x8.5, etc.

If you don't have a good local print and design company that you work with, please let me know. We have customers all across the U.S., and I would think shipping would be in the $10-$20 range for something this small. My company is AngelPrint.com. We are not just an online printing platform, but do have offices in CA w/ professional customer service reps waiting to help you. Our motto is "If you succeed, we succeed!"

**marketingquotes** · 04-07-2011 10:10 AM

Hey There,

Just something to add on - is do not try to tackle this yourself. A design agency will almost certainly be able to come up with a better cleaner product for you (and when you factor in the time you would put in) cheaper.

Have you got quotes from any local designers?

Regards,

Marketing Quotes Support.

**fthom** · 04-11-2011 09:23 AM

I have to agree with the above... don't try and make it yourself if you don't believe you can make it look good.
Most likely, the programmes that are required to make a good looking leaflet will take time and investment to get to grips with so you are better off hiring someone who can do it for you.