Leaflet Sizes, Folds and Paper Stocks Explained: What to Know Before You Order

Why the Size and Format of Your Leaflet Actually Matters

A leaflet that’s the wrong size for its purpose can undermine otherwise good design. Something too large is awkward to hand out or post through doors. Something too small might not have room for the content you need. Getting the format right from the start saves money on print and means your leaflet does its job properly.

The three things to get right before you order are the size, the fold style (if any), and the paper stock. Each affects the feel, the cost, and how the leaflet will be used.

The Most Common Leaflet Sizes

DL (99mm × 210mm) — The Classic Leaflet Size

DL stands for “dimension lengthwise” and is one-third of an A4 sheet. It’s the most widely used leaflet size in the UK and fits neatly into a standard DL envelope or display rack. This makes it ideal for reception desks, waiting rooms, point-of-sale displays, and direct mail campaigns.

Because it’s tall and narrow, DL leaflets work well for services, menus, introductory offers, and anything where you want a clean, slim format people will actually pick up and keep.

A5 (148mm × 210mm) — Versatile and Practical

A5 is exactly half an A4 sheet and is one of the most popular formats for flyers and promotional leaflets. It gives you more room than DL without feeling oversized. A5 works well for event flyers, promotional offers, menu inserts, and anything designed to be handed directly to people.

It’s also an easy size to handle for street distribution, door-to-door drops, or display alongside larger printed materials. If you’re not sure which size to go with, A5 is usually a safe starting point.

A4 (210mm × 297mm) — Room for Detail

A4 leaflets give you the most space for content. They’re a good choice for price lists, product catalogues, event programmes, or anything that needs diagrams, maps, or substantial written content.

Keep in mind that A4 is harder to carry around casually, so it works better for handouts at events or countertop display rather than street distribution. If your leaflet is more of a reference document than a quick read, A4 is likely the right call.

Other Sizes to Consider

Less common but still useful options include A6 (roughly postcard-sized), which works well for discount vouchers and short promotions, and A3, which is usually folded down for larger menus or information sheets. Square formats are also available and can work well for creative or lifestyle brands wanting something different.

Leaflet Fold Options Explained

Many leaflets are ordered flat, but adding a fold changes how the piece is used, how it reads, and how much content you can include. Here are the most common fold types.

Choosing the Right Paper Weight

Paper weight is measured in grams per square metre (gsm). The higher the number, the thicker and more substantial the paper feels. Here’s a quick guide to the most common weights used for leaflets.

90gsm–100gsm — Lightweight paper similar to standard office printing. It’s the most economical option but can feel thin for promotional material. Suitable for high-volume, single-use flyers where cost per unit matters most.

115gsm–130gsm — A popular middle-ground weight for leaflets and flyers. It feels noticeably more substantial than office paper without being too thick. Most everyday leaflet runs land in this range.

170gsm–200gsm — A heavier, quality feel that’s suitable for premium leaflets, menus, and brochures. This weight works well when you want the printed piece to feel considered and worth keeping.

300gsm–350gsm — Very thick, closer to card than paper. Used for business cards and very premium materials rather than standard leaflets. At this weight, folding is usually not practical unless scored first.

Paper Finishes: Gloss, Silk or Matte?

As well as the weight, the surface finish affects how the final leaflet looks and feels. The three most common options for leaflet printing are gloss, silk, and matte.

Gloss

Gloss paper has a shiny, reflective surface that makes colours appear bright and vivid. It’s a good choice for image-heavy leaflets — promotions, food menus, event flyers — where visual impact matters. The downside is that it can cause glare and isn’t easy to write on if you need to add anything by hand.

Silk

Silk is a coated paper with less sheen than gloss, sitting between the two extremes. It still reproduces colours well but without the reflective finish. Many people find silk the most versatile option because it looks smart without being overpowering. It’s a popular choice for business leaflets and service brochures.

Matte

Matte paper has no coating and a flat, non-reflective surface. It gives a clean, contemporary look and is easier to write on. Matte is commonly used for more understated, design-led material, or leaflets where text readability takes priority over vivid colour reproduction.

Matching the Format to the Purpose

The best leaflet format depends on what you need it to do and how it’ll be distributed. Here are a few common scenarios to help you decide.

Door-to-door or street distribution: A5 or DL flat, 115gsm–130gsm gloss or silk. Lightweight enough to post easily but substantial enough to survive handling.

Reception desk or display stand: DL tri-fold or A5 folded. Slim enough to sit in a display rack neatly. 130gsm–170gsm works well here.

Trade show or exhibition: A5 or A4 folded, 150gsm–170gsm silk. Something people will put in a bag and read later, rather than discard immediately.

Restaurant or café menu: A4 folded or DL folded, 170gsm–200gsm silk or matte. A heavier stock that holds up to repeated handling.

Premium brochure or capability document: A4 or A5, 200gsm+, matte or silk. If you want it to feel like a professional document rather than a promotional flyer, heavier stock and a restrained finish make the difference.

Getting Your Artwork Ready

Once you know your size and format, you need to supply artwork that’s set up correctly for print. This means working to the right dimensions (including bleed), saving files in the right format, and making sure your colours are set to CMYK rather than RGB.

If you’re unsure how to prepare artwork for print, it’s worth reading up on print-ready file requirements before you get to the design stage. Getting it right means fewer delays and no unexpected changes to colours or cropping when the leaflet comes off press.

The Printscene team can advise on artwork requirements and can also help with design if needed. Contact us before you start to avoid problems later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a leaflet and a flyer?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Generally, a flyer is a single unfolded sheet (usually A5 or A6) designed for quick distribution, while a leaflet may be folded or contain more detailed information. In practice, most printers use the terms to describe the same product range.

Can I mix sizes in one print run?

No — each print run uses the same sheet and setup, so all items in a single order need to be the same size. If you need different sizes, these would be separate print jobs.

How many leaflets should I order?

Print costs per unit fall significantly as quantities increase. If you’re planning a local distribution campaign, 1,000–5,000 copies is a common starting range. For trade show handouts, 250–500 may be sufficient depending on the event size. We can advise on quantities and pricing based on your intended use.

Can I get a folded leaflet in a size other than DL?

Yes. Folds can be applied to A4 and A3 sheets to produce a range of finished sizes. The most common folded formats are DL (A4 tri-folded), A5 (A4 half-folded), and A4 (A3 half-folded). If you need something less standard, the team can discuss options with you.

How long does leaflet printing take?

Turnaround depends on the print run and specification. Contact us with your requirements and we’ll confirm lead times based on current workload.