Professional Flyer Printing: Same-Day London Guide

Sep 02, 2026

Professional Flyer Printing: Same-Day London Guide

Flyers remain one of the simplest ways to put a promotion, event, service or special offer directly in front of potential customers. Whether you are preparing for a last-minute event, launching a new business, advertising a local service or promoting an offer, professional A5 flyer printing can give you a practical physical marketing tool that is easy to distribute.

When the deadline is close, however, the printing process needs to be straightforward. Incorrect artwork dimensions, low-resolution images, missing bleed or choosing an unsuitable paper can all slow production down.

Printbox London (Same Day Printing London) provides flyer and leaflet printing from our Tottenham print shop at 52 West Green Road, London N15 5NR. Suitable flyer orders may be available with same-day turnaround, depending on quantity, paper stock, artwork readiness, payment confirmation, order time and current production capacity.

This guide covers everything you need to know about professional flyer printing, including A5 dimensions, paper choices, matt versus gloss, single and double-sided printing, artwork preparation, bleed, resolution, QR codes, same-day production and collection in North London.

Key Takeaways

A5 measures 148 × 210mm and is a versatile size for promotions, events, menus, service advertising and local marketing.
A6 and A4 flyers are also available when you need a smaller or larger format.
Available small-format stocks include 120gsm Matt, 150gsm Gloss, 160gsm Matt, 160gsm Recycled Paper and heavier card options up to 400gsm Matt.
Matt paper is useful for text-heavy designs and generally easier to write on, while gloss works particularly well with colourful and photographic artwork.
Single and double-sided flyer printing is available.
A high-quality print-ready PDF is generally the preferred artwork format.
For edge-to-edge flyer designs, approximately 3mm bleed is recommended.
Images should ideally be around 300 DPI at their final printed size where practical.
Same-day flyer printing may be available, but turnaround depends on quantity, paper, artwork, payment confirmation and current workload.
Collection is available from our Tottenham print shop once your order has been confirmed as ready.

Why Use Printed Flyers?

A printed flyer gives you a physical space to communicate directly with your audience.

Unlike a social media post that may disappear quickly from a person's feed, a flyer can be handed directly to someone, displayed on a counter, included with an order or delivered to an appropriate location.

Flyers Can Be Used For:

Business promotions
Restaurant and takeaway offers
Events
Nightlife promotions
Beauty and salon promotions
Fitness classes
Property marketing
Local services
Retail sales
Product launches
Community events
Educational information
Price lists
Special offers

The effectiveness of a flyer depends on much more than simply printing something colourful. The design, message, offer, audience, distribution method and print quality all play a role.

Why Choose A5 Flyer Printing?

A5 flyer printing is popular because the format offers enough room for useful information while remaining compact and convenient to distribute.

The finished dimensions of A5 are:

148 × 210mm

A5 is exactly half the area of an A4 sheet.

What Can Fit on an A5 Flyer?

A well-designed A5 flyer can comfortably include:

Business logo
Headline
Product or service image
Short description
Promotional offer
Price
Phone number
Website
Social media information
Address
QR code
Call to action

The key is not to fill every available millimetre. Leaving appropriate space around the content can make the flyer easier to read.

A5, A6 or A4: Which Flyer Size Should You Choose?

There is no single flyer size that is best for every campaign.

A6 Flyers

A6 measures:

105 × 148mm

A6 works particularly well for:

Promotional cards
Discount vouchers
Invitations
Counter handouts
Simple offers

A5 Flyers

A5 measures:

148 × 210mm

It provides more room for:

Images
Offers
Service information
Menus
QR codes
Contact details

A4 Flyers

A4 measures:

210 × 297mm

A4 can be useful when you need:

More detailed information
Large images
Multiple offers
Price lists
Information sheets

Which Size Should You Choose?

Think about where the flyer will be used and how much information needs to be communicated.

If the message is simple, A6 may be sufficient. For general promotional use, A5 offers a useful balance between space and portability. When considerably more information is required, A4 may be more suitable.

Flyers vs Leaflets

The terms “flyer” and “leaflet” are often used interchangeably.

In practical printing terms, a flyer is commonly a flat printed sheet. A leaflet can also be a flat sheet, although the term is sometimes used for folded promotional material.

Flat Flyers Are Useful For:

Promotions
Events
Announcements
Simple menus
Discount offers

Folded Material Can Be Useful When:

You have more information
You need separate content sections
You want to create a compact brochure-style layout

If your deadline is extremely tight, a standard flat flyer can also involve fewer finishing stages than a more complicated folded product.

Choosing the Right Flyer Paper

The paper you choose affects how your flyer looks, feels and handles.

For small-format flyer printing, suitable stocks can include:

120gsm Matt
150gsm Gloss
160gsm Matt
160gsm Recycled Paper
250gsm Gloss
250gsm Matt
300gsm Gloss
300gsm Matt
350gsm Gloss
350gsm Matt
400gsm Matt

Stock availability can depend on the product and current inventory, particularly for urgent same-day orders.

Understanding Flyer GSM

GSM stands for grams per square metre.

It is commonly used to describe the weight of paper and card.

Lower GSM

Lower GSM papers are generally lighter and more flexible.

They can be suitable for:

High-volume promotions
General handouts
Information sheets

Higher GSM

Higher GSM stocks generally feel heavier and more substantial.

They can be suitable for:

Premium promotional cards
Menus
Invitations
Vouchers
Marketing cards

GSM Is Not the Whole Story

Two papers with the same GSM can feel different because of differences in coating, composition and manufacturing.

This is why paper weight should be considered alongside the surface finish and intended application.

Matt vs Gloss Flyers

One of the most common decisions when ordering flyers is whether to choose matt or gloss.

Matt Flyers

Matt paper has a lower-shine appearance.

It is particularly useful for:

Text-heavy designs
Professional information
Price lists
Minimalist branding
Designs where reduced reflection is preferred

Matt stock is also generally easier to write on than glossy stock, although the result depends on the pen and specific paper.

Gloss Flyers

Gloss paper has a shinier surface that can work particularly well with:

Colourful graphics
Food photography
Fashion images
Beauty promotions
Product photographs
Event artwork

Gloss may be less convenient if recipients need to write on the flyer.

Is Gloss Always Better for Colour?

No. The best finish depends on the artwork and intended use.

A colourful design can look excellent on both matt and gloss paper, but the surface characteristics create a different visual impression.

Recycled Flyer Paper

160gsm Recycled Paper is available for suitable small-format printing.

Recycled stock can have a different base tone and surface character from standard matt or gloss paper.

This can affect the way colours appear.

If colour appearance is particularly important, remember that the same artwork can look slightly different when printed onto different papers.

Single-Sided vs Double-Sided Flyers

Flyers can be printed on one or both sides.

Single-Sided Flyers

Single-sided printing can be ideal when:

The message is simple
The flyer is being displayed against a wall or window
You only need one promotion
The reverse side does not add useful information

Double-Sided Flyers

Double-sided printing gives you more space without increasing the physical dimensions.

You could use:

Front: headline and offer
Back: detailed information and contact details

or:

Front: promotional message
Back: price list, menu or services

Do not add information simply because the space exists. Both sides should have a clear purpose.

How to Design an Effective Flyer

A professional flyer should communicate its main message quickly.

A simple visual hierarchy might be:

Headline
Main image or offer
Supporting information
Call to action
Contact information

Do Not Overcrowd the Design

Trying to include every detail about your business can make a flyer difficult to scan.

Focus on the information the recipient needs to take the next step.

Use Readable Text

Avoid making essential information excessively small simply to fit more words onto the page.

Use Contrast

Text should be easy to distinguish from its background.

For example, pale text over a very light photograph may be difficult to read even when the design looks attractive on screen.

Create a Clear Headline

Your headline should communicate the primary reason someone should continue reading.

Depending on the campaign, this could be:

Grand Opening
20% Off This Weekend
New Menu Available
Book Your Free Consultation
Join Us This Saturday
Local Delivery Available

The headline should usually be visually prominent and easy to understand.

Use a Strong Call to Action

A call to action tells the reader what to do next.

Examples include:

Visit Our Website
Call Today
Scan to Book
Order Online
Visit Our Store
Book Your Appointment
Bring This Flyer In Store

The appropriate CTA depends on the purpose of the campaign.

Adding QR Codes to Flyers

QR codes can connect printed flyers with online content.

A QR code can direct customers to:

Your website
An online booking page
A restaurant menu
A product page
A registration page
Social media
A promotional landing page

Test the QR Code Before Printing

Scan the final QR code from the exported artwork before approving the job.

If you are ordering a large quantity, testing this detail before production is especially important.

Do Not Make It Too Small

The QR code needs enough physical size and contrast to scan reliably.

Keep adequate clear space around it and avoid placing important graphics too close to the code.

Preparing Artwork for Flyer Printing

Correct artwork preparation can make an urgent printing job significantly easier to process.

For A5 Flyers

The final finished size is:

148 × 210mm

With 3mm bleed around all sides, the artwork size is typically:

154 × 216mm

Before Sending Your Artwork, Check:

Finished dimensions
Orientation
Bleed
Spelling
Dates
Prices
Phone numbers
Email addresses
Website addresses
QR codes
Image quality

Customers should carefully proofread their final artwork before confirming production.

Why PDF Is Recommended

A high-quality PDF is generally the preferred format for professional printing.

PDF can preserve:

Page dimensions
Fonts
Images
Vector artwork
Layout

Before submitting the artwork, open the final exported PDF and inspect it.

Do not rely only on the version visible inside your design application.

Understanding 3mm Bleed

If colour, photographs or graphics are intended to run all the way to the edge of the flyer, approximately 3mm bleed should generally be included.

Why Is Bleed Necessary?

Printed sheets are trimmed down to their final dimensions.

Small cutting tolerances are normal. Extending background artwork beyond the trim line helps prevent unwanted white edges after trimming.

Example

A finished A5 flyer measures:

148 × 210mm

With 3mm bleed on each edge, the complete artwork becomes:

154 × 216mm

Keep Important Content Inside the Safe Area

Bleed protects the outside of the design, while a safe margin protects important content inside it.

Keep essential elements such as:

Headlines
Phone numbers
Prices
Logos
QR codes
Email addresses

comfortably away from the cutting edge.

Avoid Thin Borders Near the Trim

Thin frames positioned very close to the edge can appear uneven after cutting because even a small normal trimming tolerance becomes visually noticeable.

If your design uses a border, either position it well inside the safe area or reconsider whether it is necessary.

Image Resolution and Print Quality

Where practical, raster images should be approximately 300 DPI at their final printed size.

What Happens with Low-Resolution Images?

They may appear:

Pixelated
Soft
Blurry
Less detailed

Use Original Images Where Possible

Original photographs and graphics are preferable to:

Screenshots
Images copied from messaging apps
Small website thumbnails
Heavily compressed social media images

Logos

Vector logos are particularly useful because they can generally be enlarged without becoming pixelated.

Changing the DPI Setting Is Not Enough

Simply changing a low-resolution image's metadata to “300 DPI” does not recreate detail that was not present in the original image.

RGB, CMYK and Printed Colour

One important difference between designing on a screen and printing onto paper is the way colour is produced.

RGB

Phones, tablets and computer monitors typically display colour using RGB light.

CMYK

Professional print production commonly uses CMYK inks or toner.

Will Printed Colours Look Exactly Like My Screen?

Not necessarily.

The appearance of printed colour can be influenced by:

Paper type
Paper colour
Surface finish
Printing process
Screen brightness
Monitor calibration
Ambient lighting

Preparing artwork appropriately for CMYK printing can help improve predictability, but an exact match to a backlit screen should not be assumed.

Preparing Flyers in Canva

Canva is widely used for flyer artwork and can produce suitable files when exported correctly.

Step 1: Use the Correct Size

Create your design at A5:

148 × 210mm

Step 2: Allow for Bleed

If your background runs to the edge, make sure it extends into the bleed area.

Step 3: Check Your Images

Avoid using visibly pixelated or very small images.

Step 4: Export as PDF Print

Use Canva's high-quality PDF Print option where appropriate.

Step 5: Review the PDF

Open the exported file and check every page before sending it for production.

If crop marks are included, make sure they do not interfere with the artwork itself.

Can You Design Flyers in Microsoft Word?

It is possible to create simple flyers in Microsoft Word, although dedicated design applications usually provide better control over bleed, positioning and print preparation.

If you are using Word:

Set the correct page dimensions
Use high-resolution images
Keep important text away from the edges
Export to PDF
Review the final PDF carefully

If edge-to-edge printing is required, pay particular attention to bleed because Word is not primarily designed for professional prepress work.

Professional A5 flyer printing in London

Same-Day Flyer Printing in London

When a promotion or event is approaching quickly, waiting several working days for printed materials may not be practical.

Printbox London (Same Day Printing London) offers rapid flyer production for suitable orders from our Tottenham print shop.

Many standard products can be completed within approximately 3–4 hours after payment and artwork approval, depending on the product, quantity, material, finishing requirements and current production schedule.

Is Every Flyer Order Available Same Day?

No.

Same-day availability depends on:

Quantity
Paper stock
Single or double-sided printing
Artwork readiness
Cutting requirements
Order time
Payment confirmation
Current production workload

Send Your Exact Deadline

If your flyers are required urgently, tell us the actual deadline when requesting your quotation.

For example:

“I need 250 A5 double-sided flyers ready for collection by 6 PM today.”

This is much more useful than simply saying the job is urgent.

What Affects Flyer Printing Turnaround?

Quantity

A short run and a large-volume flyer order naturally require different production times.

Paper Stock

Urgent production depends partly on whether the requested stock is currently available.

Single or Double-Sided Printing

Double-sided printing involves printing both sides and ensuring the artwork is correctly positioned.

Artwork Preparation

A correctly prepared PDF can normally enter production more quickly than a file that needs significant resizing or correction.

Current Production Schedule

Same-day capacity can change during the day as other orders enter production.

Payment

The production turnaround begins after the final specification, artwork and payment have been confirmed.

Collecting Your Flyers in Tottenham

For urgent London orders, store collection can remove the uncertainty associated with postal delivery times.

Our print shop is located at:

52 West Green Road, London N15 5NR

Once your flyers are ready, you can collect them directly from the shop.

Wait for Ready Confirmation

Please do not travel to collect an urgent order until it has been confirmed as ready.

Production estimates can change depending on the specifications and workload.

Flyer Delivery Options

If collection is not convenient, delivery may be available.

Standard Delivery

Royal Mail Tracked 24 is commonly used for suitable standard deliveries and usually takes approximately 1–2 working days.

This is not the best choice when a specific delivery time is critical unless an appropriate guaranteed service has been arranged.

Same-Day Courier

A same-day courier may be arranged for suitable urgent London orders.

Courier pricing depends on factors including:

Delivery postcode
Distance
Parcel dimensions
Collection time
Courier availability

If you need an urgent courier quote, provide the full delivery address and postcode.

Planning Your Flyer Distribution

Printing is only one part of a flyer campaign. You also need a practical distribution plan.

Potential Distribution Methods

Hand-to-hand distribution
Appropriate letterbox distribution
In-store handouts
Event handouts
Including flyers with customer orders
Displaying flyers at participating businesses or venues

Target the Right Audience

Rather than distributing flyers as widely as possible without a plan, consider where your potential customers are most likely to be.

A local restaurant, for example, may focus on nearby neighbourhoods, while an event organiser may focus on people attending related venues or activities.

Check Local Rules

Rules for distributing printed promotional material can vary depending on the location and method of distribution.

If you intend to hand out flyers in public spaces, check the requirements of the relevant local authority or venue before beginning your campaign.

Respect Distribution Restrictions

Respect private property, venue rules and requests not to receive unsolicited promotional material.

Common Flyer Printing Mistakes

1. Too Much Information

A flyer should not look like a page from a report.

Prioritise the most important message.

2. Text That Is Too Small

If readers struggle to see the offer or contact details, the flyer becomes less useful.

3. Low-Resolution Images

A beautiful design can still look poor when printed if the source images do not contain enough detail.

4. Missing Bleed

For full-bleed designs, missing bleed can create problems during trimming.

5. Important Content Too Close to the Edge

Keep essential information comfortably inside the finished size.

6. Thin Borders Near the Trim

Small cutting tolerances can make thin borders appear uneven.

7. Incorrect Phone Numbers or URLs

Proofread all contact information before approving the artwork.

8. QR Codes That Have Not Been Tested

Always scan the QR code in the final artwork.

9. Assuming Screen and Print Colours Will Match Exactly

Printed colour naturally behaves differently from light emitted by a screen.

10. Leaving the Order Until the Last Minute

Same-day production may be available, but ordering earlier gives you more options if artwork adjustments are required.

Why Choose Printbox London?

Printbox London (Same Day Printing London) provides local flyer printing for businesses, organisations, event organisers and individuals who need professional printed marketing materials.

Multiple Flyer Sizes

Choose from popular formats including:

Wide Selection of Paper and Card

Options range from lightweight promotional papers through to heavier card stocks.

Single and Double-Sided Printing

Choose the format that best suits your campaign and artwork.

Urgent Production

Suitable orders may be available with same-day turnaround, depending on specifications and current production capacity.

Local Collection

Collect your completed flyers directly from our Tottenham print shop once they have been confirmed as ready.

Other Marketing Materials

If your campaign requires more than flyers, we also offer suitable:

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is an A5 flyer?

A5 measures 148 × 210mm.

What size should A5 artwork be with 3mm bleed?

For edge-to-edge printing with 3mm bleed on every side, the artwork is typically 154 × 216mm.

Do you offer same-day A5 flyer printing?

Yes, suitable A5 flyer orders may be available with same-day turnaround. Availability depends on quantity, paper, artwork readiness, payment confirmation, order time and current production capacity.

How long does same-day flyer printing take?

Many suitable standard products can be completed within approximately 3–4 hours after payment and artwork approval. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed completion time for every order.

Is there a fixed 3 PM cut-off for same-day flyers?

No fixed cut-off should be assumed. Same-day availability depends on the current production schedule. Contact us with your quantity, specifications and exact deadline so availability can be checked.

What paper is available for A5 flyers?

Depending on the job, options can include 120gsm Matt, 150gsm Gloss, 160gsm Matt, 160gsm Recycled Paper, 250gsm Gloss, 250gsm Matt, 300gsm Gloss, 300gsm Matt, 350gsm Gloss, 350gsm Matt and 400gsm Matt.

What paper should I choose for general promotional flyers?

For general promotional material, lighter stocks such as 120gsm Matt, 150gsm Gloss or 160gsm Matt can be practical choices. The best option depends on your design, budget, distribution method and the impression you want to create.

Can I use heavier card for A5 flyers?

Yes. Suitable heavier stocks include 250gsm, 300gsm, 350gsm and 400gsm options depending on the required finish.

What is the difference between matt and gloss?

Matt has a lower-shine surface and works well for many text-heavy or understated designs. Gloss has a shinier surface that can complement colourful and photographic artwork.

Is matt paper easier to write on?

Generally, matt stock is easier to write on than glossy stock, although results vary depending on the paper and pen.

Do you offer recycled paper?

160gsm Recycled Paper is available for suitable small-format print products, subject to current stock availability.

Do you offer silk paper?

Our standard same-day flyer range focuses on the actual matt, gloss and recycled stocks currently offered rather than a separate silk-paper range.

Can flyers be printed double-sided?

Yes. Suitable flyers can be printed single or double-sided.

What file format should I send?

A high-quality print-ready PDF is generally recommended.

Can I send a JPEG?

A sufficiently high-resolution JPEG may sometimes be usable, but PDF is generally preferable because it provides better control over dimensions, layout, fonts and vector artwork.

Do my images have to be exactly 300 DPI?

300 DPI at final print size is a good target where practical. The important factor is whether the source image contains enough real detail for the intended printed size.

Can you make a low-resolution image high resolution?

Simply changing its DPI setting does not recreate missing detail. Starting with the best-quality original image is recommended.

Should my artwork be CMYK?

CMYK artwork can help make printed colour more predictable. However, printed colours may still look different from a phone, tablet or monitor because screens and printed paper reproduce colour differently.

Do I need 3mm bleed?

If your background or images extend to the final edge of the flyer, approximately 3mm bleed is generally recommended.

Can I design my A5 flyer in Canva?

Yes. Canva can be used to create flyer artwork. Export a high-quality PDF Print file and review the exported PDF carefully before submitting it.

Can I design my flyer in Microsoft Word?

Yes, simple designs can be prepared in Word and exported to PDF, although dedicated design applications generally provide better control over professional print requirements such as bleed.

Can you print QR codes on flyers?

Yes. QR codes can be included as part of your artwork. Test the QR code before approving the final file.

Can I collect my flyers?

Yes. Collection is available from Printbox London (Same Day Printing London), 52 West Green Road, London N15 5NR, once the order has been confirmed as ready.

Can you deliver my flyers?

Yes, suitable delivery options may be available. Standard tracked delivery and same-day courier services can be discussed depending on your location and deadline.

Can you guarantee a particular delivery time?

Delivery timing depends on the service selected and courier availability. If your deadline is critical, discuss it with us before ordering rather than assuming a standard delivery service will arrive at a particular time.

When does my printing turnaround start?

The production turnaround begins after the final specifications, artwork and payment have been confirmed.

Can you help if my artwork is not print-ready?

Basic artwork preparation or resizing may be available depending on the file, changes required and current workload. Additional charges and production time may apply.

Get Your A5 Flyers Printed in London

A successful flyer combines a clear message, suitable paper and correctly prepared artwork.

For many campaigns, A5 flyer printing provides a practical balance: the 148 × 210mm format gives you enough room for a strong headline, images, promotional information, contact details and a QR code while remaining compact enough for convenient distribution.

Your paper choice should reflect how the flyer will be used. Matt works well for many professional and text-heavy designs, while gloss can complement colourful and photographic artwork. Heavier card stocks can create a more substantial promotional piece when required.

For urgent orders, preparation is particularly important. Supply the correct dimensions, approximately 3mm bleed for edge-to-edge artwork, good-quality images and a final print-ready PDF wherever possible.

Suitable same-day flyer orders may be available from Printbox London (Same Day Printing London), subject to quantity, paper stock, artwork readiness, payment confirmation, order time and current production capacity.

If you have an urgent deadline, send us your: