Many people wrongly assume that the terms ‘flyer’ and ‘poster’ mean basically the same thing. However, there are several differences between them, as the best commercial printer in UAE, Sheer Print Solutions, will soon point out! Therefore, be sure you know what type of printout you actually need before you place and receive an order that doesn’t match what you had in your head.
A poster comes in a large-size format and is typically 18” x 24” or 36” x 48” big. Meanwhile, a flyer, which is sometimes referred to as a mini-poster, tends to be closer to 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17”.
Additionally, a flyer often uses more text than a poster, whereas a poster relies more on graphics to get its message across. Finally, flyers are generally used to advertise an event, while posters either advertise something or are used for informational purposes.
Posters tend to have eye-catching designs, bold text, and bright colors. These advertisements are typically displayed on a wall or in a store window. They can be used for everything from promoting a movie to promoting a specific political candidate. Due to their large size and colorful imagery, posters evoke an instant response in people, whether they’re aware of this or not.
Flyers typically have compelling text, graphics, and bright colors. They often come in the mail but can also be hung in a public space. The point of a flyer is to grab someone’s attention and give them details about a specific event within a matter of seconds. For the most part, flyers are used for three distinct purposes: Events, coupons, or promotional flyers.
Again, the size format between flyers and posters helps decide how they’ll be designed. The large-format size of a poster would not be well-suited to getting a lot of text across. Instead, they’re usually designed to highlight a graphic. Think of your favorite movie poster, and you’ll easily get the idea.
There are a few basic components that almost every poster will have, including a graphic and a tagline or slogan. A poster typically won’t need contact information, although it may advertise a specific date.
When it comes to distribution, flyers just might have the advantage. That’s due to their smaller size, which makes them ideal for being directly mailed, handed directly to a passerby, posted to a bulletin board, or simply left in stacks for people to peruse.
On the other hand, posters aren’t typically handed out. Instead, their purpose is to be hung up on a wall, in a window, etc. They get their message across without having to be handed out. Again, think of a movie poster and how it would be hanging up at your local theater.
Flyers and posters are both relatively inexpensive. However, a poster needs to be professionally printed, whereas a flyer can be designed and even printed in-house. The average cost of a poster can range anywhere from approximately $0.50 to $20, depending on the printing method, color options, and paper quality.
It is possible to bring this price down by purchasing posters in bulk quantities. Meanwhile, if you were to purchase 1,000 flyers, they would usually range from $0.19 to $0.55 per flyer.
Posters are good to use when you need to capture long-term attention. Rather than simply telling people about one event, they can be used to advertise something that will be available for weeks, months, or even years. They’re especially effective if you have a hanging display to place them in.
Flyers work best for short-term advertising or to reinforce your poster advertising. They can be sent through the mail or handed directly to people. They’re ideal for doing one last advertising campaign right before an event.