Start with the distribution plan, not the price break
The most common flyer mistake is ordering 5,000 because the per-piece price looks great, then recycling 3,500 of them a year later. Work backward instead. Ask three questions: where will each flyer physically go (a counter, a door, a table, a bulletin board), how many can you hand out per week at that spot, and how long the offer stays true. Multiply weekly reach by the number of weeks the design is good for, then add about 10% for spares, local bulletin boards and the flyers that walk out in a customer's bag. If the design has a hard date on it, your window is short and your quantity should be too. If it's evergreen — your services, your hours, a standing offer — you can safely order for a full season.
Flyer quantities by use
| Use | Typical reach | Suggested quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Counter or checkout handout | 5–20 taken per day | 250 for 1–2 months, 500 for a season |
| Bulletin boards and community spots | 10–30 locations, refreshed monthly | 100–250 |
| Single event, fair or open house | 25–50% of expected attendees | Attendance × 0.5, minimum 250 |
| Door-to-door neighborhood drop | 60–100 doors per walker per hour | 500–1,000 per weekend push |
| Inserts in orders or bags | Every order for the season | Monthly orders × months, plus 10% |
| Every home on a mail route (EDDM) | ~400–800 homes per USPS route | Use EDDM mailers, priced per route |
Counter handouts, events and door-to-door
Counter handouts move slower than people expect. Even a busy shop usually sees a handful taken per day, so 250 is often a two-month supply. Events are the opposite: people grab flyers fast, but only a fraction of attendees will stop at your table, so plan on roughly half of expected attendance and never fewer than 250 if you'll be there all day. Door-to-door is the most predictable. One person walking a compact neighborhood can typically cover 60–100 doors an hour, so a two-person team working a Saturday morning can place 500 without much trouble. A quick note for door drops: tuck the flyer in a door, screen or handle — never inside a mailbox. Mailboxes are for postage-paid mail only. For door drops, a sturdier door hanger usually stays put better than a loose flyer.
When mailbox delivery beats flyers: EDDM
If the goal is “every home in this area,” walking flyers door to door stops making sense past a few hundred houses. Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) lets you target whole USPS carrier routes, and the mail carrier delivers a piece to every address on the route — no mailing list needed. A single route is typically around 400–800 homes. EDDM pieces have to meet USPS flat-size rules, so a standard 8.5×11 letter-style flyer isn't the right format; it's printed as a larger postcard-style mailer with the EDDM indicia. Our EDDM neighborhood mailers start at $398 per route, and that price includes printing and mailing prep. See the EDDM guide for how routes work.
Flyer price tiers (all-in)
| Quantity | Price (all-in) | Per flyer | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $89 | $0.89 | Bulletin boards, a test run |
| 250 | $129 | $0.52 | Counter supply, one event |
| 500 | $189 | $0.38 | A season of handouts or a door push |
| 1,000 | $229 | $0.23 | Multiple events or neighborhood drops |
| 2,500 | $349 | $0.14 | Ongoing inserts, multi-location |
| 5,000 | $449 | $0.09 | High-volume distribution with an evergreen design |
Use the quantity calculator before you order
If you're still unsure, our Quantity Advisor walks through flyers, door hangers, EDDM routes and more, and points you to the matching all-in price tier. A good rule of thumb: if you can't name where flyer number 400 is going, order 250. Reordering is easy, every order includes a free pro file check and a free digital proof, and nothing is charged until you approve the proof. Standard production is 2–4 business days and we ship anywhere in the US, so a smaller first run rarely leaves you stuck. If you need them sooner, rush is a flat $9 for 2-day press or $19 for next-day production.
All-in pricing. Free proof. No checkout surprises.
Full-color 8.5×11 flyers from $89 for 100 — shipping, file check and proof included.
Full-color 8.5×11 flyers from $89 for 100 — shipping, file check and proof included. ⚡ Or build a full kitFrequently asked questions
How many flyers should a small business print?
Most small businesses should start with 250 to 500 flyers. That covers a counter supply or a single event without leftovers going stale. Order more only when you have a specific plan for where each flyer will go.
How many flyers can one person hand out door to door in an hour?
In a compact neighborhood, one person can typically place flyers or door hangers on 60 to 100 doors per hour. Spread-out or rural areas will be slower. Never place flyers inside mailboxes, which are reserved for postage-paid mail.
How many flyers do I need for an event?
Plan on about half of the expected attendance, with a minimum of 250 if you'll staff a table all day. Not everyone will visit your table, but people who do tend to take one. Bring a few extra for other vendors and organizers.
Is it cheaper to print 1,000 flyers than 500?
Per flyer, yes: 500 flyers are $189 all-in (about 38 cents each) and 1,000 are $229 (about 23 cents each). In total dollars, 500 is cheaper, so the bigger run only saves money if you'll actually use the extra flyers.
Should I use flyers or EDDM to reach every home in a neighborhood?
For a few hundred homes you can walk, flyers or door hangers work well. For whole neighborhoods, EDDM is usually better because the mail carrier delivers to every address on a route of roughly 400 to 800 homes. Our EDDM mailers start at $398 per route, including printing and mailing prep.