Leaflets and Flyers

Usually not. HMRC zero-rates leaflets that meet the conditions in VAT Notice 701/10 (paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4): a single sheet no larger than A4, on paper that is limp rather than card, meant to be read and passed on, ordered in a quantity of at least 50, with any form or coupon area taking up no more than 25% of the page. Our leaflets are priced as zero-rated on that basis. If your leaflet is mostly a form to fill in and return, it may be standard-rated; see our VAT on printing page or ask us.

Nothing in print terms: both are a single printed sheet, and they are the same product here. People often say flyer for something handed out at an event or in the street, and leaflet for something posted through doors or left on a counter. Choose the size, paper and quantity you need; the name does not change the price or the VAT.

A5 (148 x 210mm) is a good all-rounder for door drops and handouts, with room for a headline, photos and an offer. DL (99 x 210mm) is a third of A4, fits a DL envelope and suits racks, menus and price lists. A6 (105 x 148mm), postcard size, works for counters, reception desks and parcel inserts. A4 (210 x 297mm) gives room for detailed information sheets and is the largest flat size that can be zero-rated.

gsm is the paper's weight: the higher the number, the thicker it feels. 135gsm gloss is a good everyday choice for large door drops. 170gsm gloss is thicker and feels more substantial, which suits leaflets people keep, such as price lists. Gloss makes photographs bright and punchy; 170gsm silk has a softer sheen, reads well under bright light and is easier to write on. All three are paper, not card.

The price per leaflet falls as the quantity rises, so larger runs cost less per copy. Change the quantity on this page to compare 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 and see the total for each, including any VAT due. The best value is the quantity you will actually use before the details go out of date: leaflets with old prices or dates are wasted however little each one cost.

Our smallest leaflet order is 100 per design, so you would receive 100. Check the price for 100 on this page; spares are useful for counters, noticeboards and reorders. Also note that HMRC's zero rate for leaflets needs a quantity of at least 50 copies, so a very small run of 30 would not normally be zero-rated, wherever it is printed.

Usually, yes. Under HMRC VAT Notice 701/10, paragraph 3.4, a leaflet still counts as zero-rated if the parts for filling in or detaching, such as an order form, reply slip or coupon, take up no more than 25% of its total area, added together. If the form takes up more than that, the leaflet is standard-rated at 20%. Please tell us before you order if your design is mainly a form.

We take PDF, JPG or PNG files rather than Word documents, but Word can make a PDF. Set the page size to the artwork size with bleed, for example 154 x 216mm for an A5 leaflet, run background colours and images to the edge of the page, keep text at least 8mm from the edge (3mm bleed plus the 5mm safe area), then save or export as PDF. The automatic check and on-screen proof show whether it is right.

Yes. Create a design with a custom size equal to the artwork size with bleed, for example 154 x 216mm for A5 or 105 x 216mm for DL. Run backgrounds to the edge of the page and keep text at least 8mm from the edge. Download it as PDF Print and upload it in your basket; the automatic check and on-screen proof show whether the bleed and safe area are right. Our Canva guide walks through the settings.

Yes. Upload your artwork in your basket and our automatic check looks at size, bleed, colour mode, resolution and fonts straight away, at no charge. You then see your leaflet on screen with the trim, bleed and safe area marked, and approve it before you pay. The check does not read your wording, so check names, numbers and dates yourself. For a second pair of eyes, add a manual proof (the fee is shown in your basket) and a person will check your file and send you a proof to approve.

Delivery is free to UK mainland addresses. Your order is dispatched in the number of working days shown for your options, counted from the day you approve your proof, and most mainland deliveries arrive 1 to 2 working days after dispatch (an estimate: the courier sets the final time). For Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and islands, the Isles of Scilly, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, please contact us for a quote before you order.

If your leaflets arrive faulty or do not match the proof you approved, tell us with your order number and photos. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you have 30 days from delivery to reject faulty goods for a refund, or we can reprint them.