How to Make a Flyer on Word (Template or From Scratch)

The fastest way to make a flyer on Word is to start from a template: go to File > New, search for flyer, pick a design, and replace its text and pictures with your own. If you want full control, start with a blank document, set narrow margins, and build the flyer from a large headline, a photo, and a few text boxes. Both approaches work in Word for Windows and Mac; Word for the web has flyer templates too but fewer layout tools.

Before you start: plan the content

A flyer has a few seconds to get its point across, so decide on these pieces first:

• Headline: the event, offer, or announcement in a few words.
• Key details: date, time, place, price, or what’s included.
• One strong image: a clear photo or logo, not several small ones.
• Next step: a phone number, web address, QR code, or “Register by Friday” line.

Option 1: Make a flyer from a Word template

1. Open Word and go to File > New. On a Mac, choose File > New from Template.
2. Type flyer in the search box and press Enter. You’ll see designs for events, sales, notices, and more.
3. Click a design to preview it, then click Create. The flyer opens as a new document.
4. Click any placeholder text and type over it. Keep the template’s fonts unless they don’t suit your message.
5. To swap a picture, right-click it and choose Change Picture, then pick a file from your device or an online source.
6. Delete any sections you don’t need. Click the border of a text box or shape and press Delete.
7. Save the file with File > Save As so the original template stays untouched.

Many templates place text and pictures in tables or grouped shapes. If you can’t select something, click its outer edge or check whether it’s inside a table cell. Microsoft also hosts a library of free flyer templates for Word that open in Word for the web or desktop Word.

The same template approach works for special occasions, too, if you want to make a greeting card in Word.

Option 2: Make a flyer from a blank document

Set up the page

1. Open a blank document.
2. Go to Layout > Size and choose your paper, such as Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) or A4.
3. Go to Layout > Orientation and choose Portrait or Landscape.
4. Go to Layout > Margins and choose Narrow (0.5 inch) to give yourself more room. Most home printers can’t print to the very edge, so don’t go much smaller.

Add a headline

1. Type the headline on the first line.
2. Select it and set a bold font at a large size, such as 48 to 72 points. You can type a size into the Font Size box if the list doesn’t go high enough.
3. Center it with Ctrl+E (Command+E on a Mac).

For a stylized title, use Insert > WordArt instead, but keep it readable from a distance.

Insert and position a picture

1. Click where the picture should go and choose Insert > Pictures.
2. Choose This Device, Stock Images, or Online Pictures, and insert the image.
3. Drag a corner handle to resize it without stretching.
4. Click the Layout Options button next to the picture and choose Square or In Front of Text so you can drag it anywhere.

Our guides on inserting a photo in Word and moving a picture in Word cover wrapping and positioning in more detail.

Add text boxes and shapes

1. Go to Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box.
2. Drag to draw the box, then type the details.
3. On the Shape Format tab, set Shape Fill and Shape Outline. Choose No Outline for a clean look.
4. For colored bands or badges, use Insert > Shapes, draw the shape, and right-click it to Add Text.

Line things up

Select several objects with Shift+click, then use Align on the Shape Format or Picture Format tab to line them up or space them evenly. Turning on View > Gridlines also helps. Once the layout is right, select the pieces and choose Group so they move together.

Add a background color

Go to Design > Page Color and pick a color. Page color doesn’t print by default, so turn on Print background colors and images in File > Options > Display. Another way is to draw a rectangle over the whole page, then set its wrapping to Behind Text. Either way, remember the unprinted edge most printers leave.

Add tear-off tabs at the bottom

1. Click at the bottom of the flyer and choose Insert > Table. Pick one row with 8 to 10 columns.
2. Drag the bottom border of the row down to make it about 2 inches tall.
3. Type your name and phone number or web address in the first cell.
4. With the cursor in that cell, go to the Table Layout tab (Layout in some versions) and click Text Direction until the text runs sideways.
5. Copy the cell’s text into every other cell. After printing, cut along the column lines.

Fit more than one flyer on a page

For half-page or quarter-page flyers, insert a table with 2 rows (and 2 columns for quarters), design one cell, and copy its contents into the others. Remove the table borders, or keep light ones as cutting guides. For larger folded designs, see how to make a brochure on Word.

Print or share your flyer

• Print: go to File > Print, check the preview for anything cut off near the edges, and choose the number of copies. For double-sided flyers, choose Print on Both Sides if your printer supports it.
• Save as PDF: go to File > Save As and choose PDF as the file type. A PDF keeps fonts and layout intact for email, websites, or a print shop.
• Reuse the design: save it as a template so you can make the next flyer in minutes. Here’s how to make a template in Word.

Design tips that make flyers work

• Use no more than two fonts: one for the headline and one for details.
• Pick two or three colors and use them consistently. Dark text on a light background is easiest to read.
• Leave empty space around the headline and image; crowded flyers get skipped.
• Use high-resolution photos, since small web images look blurry when printed large.
• Proofread the date, time, and contact details twice before printing copies.

Common questions

What size is a standard flyer?

In the US, most flyers are letter size, 8.5 x 11 inches. Half-page (5.5 x 8.5 inches) flyers are popular for handouts. Outside North America, A4 and A5 are standard.

Can I make a flyer in Word for the web or on my phone?

Yes, you can open and edit flyer templates in Word for the web and in the mobile app. Desktop Word gives you finer control over text boxes, wrapping, and alignment, so use it for designs built from scratch.