How to Make a Leaflet on Word: Complete Guide + Free Template
Microsoft Word is a practical starting point for leaflet design — especially if you are working on a tight budget or need something quickly. This guide covers every step from page setup to export, plus advice on when it makes more sense to hand the job to a professional printer.
Quick Answer
To make a leaflet in Word:
- Open Word and search for a brochure or flyer template
- Set your page size — A4, A5 or DL are most common for UK leaflets
- Add your headline, content, images and contact details
- Export as a PDF at 300 DPI when ready to print
What you will need:
- Microsoft Word 2016 or later
- High-quality images (300 DPI minimum for print)
- Your text, contact details and logo
- A clear idea of what you want readers to do next
Step-by-Step Guide: Making a Leaflet in Word
Step 1: Choose a Template
- Open Microsoft Word
- Click File → New
- In the search bar, type Brochure, Flyer or Leaflet
- Browse available templates and choose one that suits your purpose:
- Tri-fold — good for service menus, guides or information-heavy content
- Single-page — best for events, promotions or announcements
- Bi-fold — works well for product overviews or portfolios
- Click your chosen template to open it
Tip: If no template fits, start from a blank document and use text boxes to build a custom layout. This gives you full control over where each element sits.
Step 2: Set Up Your Page Layout
- Go to the Layout tab
- Click Orientation — portrait for most leaflets, landscape for wide designs or tri-folds
- Click Size and select your format:
- A4 (210 x 297mm) — the most common UK leaflet size
- A5 (148 x 210mm) — compact and cost-effective to print
- DL (99 x 210mm) — fits standard envelopes, good for direct mail
- Set your margins — use Narrow for more content space, but leave at least 5mm clear if printing professionally
Important for professional printing: If you are planning to have your leaflet printed rather than running it from a home printer, check with your printer about bleed requirements before you finalise the layout. Getting this wrong means reprinting.
Step 3: Add Your Content
The six elements every leaflet needs:
- Headline — large, bold and benefit-led. Keep it under ten words. "Save 20% This Month" works harder than "Our Current Sale".
- Subheadings — break content into scannable sections so readers can find what matters to them quickly
- Body text — short paragraphs, plain language, 10–12pt font. Write like you are talking to the reader directly
- Images — insert via Insert → Pictures. Use images at 300 DPI minimum. Right-click the image and set text wrap to Square or Tight for flexible positioning
- Call to action — tell the reader exactly what to do next. Make it stand out visually
- Contact details — phone number, website, address and any relevant social handles
Step 4: Choose Your Fonts and Colours
Fonts:
- Use two or three fonts at most — one for headlines, one for body text
- Bold sans-serif fonts (Arial Black, Helvetica Bold) work well for headlines
- Clean serif or sans-serif fonts (Georgia, Calibri) work well for body text
- Avoid decorative or novelty fonts — they reduce readability when printed
Colours:
- Stick to your brand colours — two or three plus white or black is enough
- Always check contrast — dark text on a light background is easiest to read
- Save your brand colours via Design → Colors → Customize Colors to keep everything consistent
- Print a draft copy before committing — screen colours and printed colours often look different
Step 5: Refine Your Layout
Using text boxes:
- Go to Insert → Text Box → Draw Text Box
- Click and drag to position a text box where you want it
- Right-click the border and choose Format Shape to adjust fill colour or remove the border
Layout tips:
- Use alignment guides — green lines appear when elements line up
- Keep spacing consistent between sections
- Do not fill every inch — white space makes a leaflet easier to read, not weaker
- Larger elements draw the eye first — use that to lead readers through your message
Step 6: Save and Export
To keep a working copy:
- Click File → Save As and save as .docx
To prepare for printing:
- Click File → Save As
- In the file type dropdown, select PDF
- Click Options and set to Optimize for: Standard for best print quality
- Click Save
Before sending to a printer: Always run a test print at home first. Check text size, colour accuracy, image quality and whether anything is being cut off near the edges.
Free Leaflet Template — Ready to Use in Word
Download our free professionally laid-out leaflet template. It includes an A4 format with pre-set text areas and image placeholders ready to customise with your own content.
Download Free Template (PDF)Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Too much text — cramming every detail onto the page | Aim for roughly 40% text and 60% images or white space |
| Low-resolution images — blurry or pixelated photos | Use images at 300 DPI minimum. Do not stretch small images larger than their natural size |
| Too many fonts — mixing five or more typefaces | Stick to two or three fonts throughout for a consistent, professional look |
| Poor contrast — light text on a light background | Always check that text is clearly readable against its background before printing |
| No clear call to action — the reader does not know what to do next | Include one clear, prominent call to action with your contact details nearby |
| Margins too tight — text runs too close to the edge | Leave at least 5–10mm margin. Content too close to the edge often gets trimmed off in print |
Alternatives to Word for Leaflet Design
Word is a practical option for most small business leaflets, but other tools may suit you better depending on your needs.
Canva — best for beginners
Free to use with a large template library and a drag-and-drop interface. Ideal if you want a polished result quickly without design experience. The free plan covers most basic leaflet needs. The main limitation is less precise control over layout than dedicated design software.
Adobe Express — best for ongoing brand consistency
A mid-level option between Canva and professional software. It offers brand kit features that help keep colours, fonts and logos consistent across multiple materials. There is a free basic plan, with more features available on paid tiers.
Adobe InDesign — best for complex or multi-page work
The industry standard for brochures, catalogues and detailed publications. It offers precise control over every design element but has a steeper learning curve and is a subscription product. Worth considering if you produce print materials regularly and want professional-grade output.
For most one-off leaflets, Word or Canva will do the job well. If you are producing regular marketing materials and want a consistent look across everything, it may be worth investing in better software or asking a designer to set up a template you can reuse.
DIY in Word vs. Professional Printing: Which Is Right for You?
| Situation | DIY in Word | Professional printing |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Small runs — up to around 50 copies | Larger runs where cost per copy matters |
| Use | Internal notices, community flyers, draft testing | Client-facing, trade shows, direct mail campaigns |
| Quality | Standard home or office printer output | Premium paper stocks, finishes and consistent colour |
| Design confidence | You have brand assets and are comfortable with basic layout | You need design help or want a professional result |
| Finish options | Limited to what your printer supports | Gloss, matt, silk, folding, spot UV and more |
When DIY makes sense:
- Testing different designs before committing to a print run
- Internal company notices or staff communications
- Community or school group leaflets with small distribution
- Last-minute updates that need to be printed immediately
When professional printing is worth it:
- The leaflet represents your business at a first meeting, event or trade show
- You are sending direct mail and quality affects response rates
- You need a large quantity and want consistent results throughout
- You want a specific finish — gloss, silk or heavy card — that a home printer cannot produce
If you have already designed your leaflet in Word and want it printed professionally, our flyer and leaflet printing service can take your PDF file and produce it on quality stock with a range of finishes.
Leaflet Printing from Printscene
Based in Somercotes, Alfreton, Printscene is a family-run print and signage company with over 30 years of experience. If you have a leaflet design ready to go — whether created in Word or elsewhere — we can handle the printing and supply it on the paper stock and finish that suits your campaign.
What we offer
- A4, A5, A6, DL and custom sizes
- Paper weights from 130gsm to 400gsm
- Gloss, matt, silk and uncoated finishes
- Single fold, tri-fold, z-fold and gate-fold options
- In-house design help if you need it
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a leaflet in Microsoft Word?
Open Word and go to File then New. Search for brochure or flyer templates, choose one, then customise the text, images and layout. Use text boxes for precise positioning and export as a PDF when you are ready to print.
What size should a leaflet be in Word?
The most common UK sizes are A4 (210 x 297mm), A5 (148 x 210mm) and DL (99 x 210mm). Set the page size in the Layout tab before you start. If you plan to print professionally, confirm bleed and margin requirements with your printer first.
What file format should I use when sending a leaflet to a printer?
PDF is the standard. Save via File then Save As and select PDF. For professional print, ensure your image resolution is 300 DPI, colours are in CMYK mode and you have a 5mm bleed area around the edges.
Can I print a leaflet I designed in Word professionally?
Yes. Export as a PDF with the correct settings and supply the file to a professional printer. If you are unsure whether your file is print-ready, the team at Printscene can advise before you send artwork — get in touch and we will take a look.
Is there a free leaflet template available to download?
Yes — you can download our free leaflet template above. It is a pre-formatted A4 layout with placeholder text and image areas ready to customise with your own content.
When is professional printing worth it instead of printing at home?
Professional printing is worth considering when you need more than around 50 copies, when quality matters for a client-facing or event situation, or when you need a specific finish such as gloss, silk or heavy card. Home printing works well for drafts, internal use and small runs.
Ready to Print Your Leaflet?
Once your design is ready, we can take care of the printing. Bring us your PDF or talk to us about design help — we will make sure you get a professional result.
