Printing for new UK businesses

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Printed materials are still one of the quickest ways to look established and win local trust. The trick is to order the right things in small quantities, get the details right first time, and avoid paying for boxes of leaflets you never hand out.

What to order first

Item	Who it suits	Tip
Business cards	Almost everyone who meets customers face to face	Order a small run first. Put a QR code to your website or booking page on the back.
Leaflets or flyers	Local services: cleaners, trades, beauty, food	One clear offer, your service area and one way to contact you. Test a small batch in one area first.
Vehicle signs or magnets	Trades and mobile businesses	Your name, what you do and your phone number, readable from a distance.
Pull-up banner or table cloth	Market stalls, events, fairs	Make sure it says what you sell in under five words.
Stickers, labels and packaging inserts	Product and online sellers	A thank-you card with a request for a review or a discount on the next order.
Price lists and menus	Salons, cafés, food vans	Laminate or use a wipe-clean finish; keep a digital version up to date too.

Getting the design right

Use your one-sentence description (who you help, with what, where) and keep wording consistent with your website and Google profile.
Readable text: big enough for older eyes, with strong contrast. Avoid putting text over busy photos.
One call to action: call, scan, book or visit.
Bleed and safe area: printers need artwork that extends past the trim line, with important text kept inside a safe margin. Download your printer's template before you design.
Proofread twice, and ask someone else to check the phone number, web address and spelling. Scan any QR code from the proof before you approve it.
Free design tools such as Canva have print-ready templates. Most online printers also let you upload a PDF.

What limited companies must show

If you are a limited company, you must include the company's name on all company documents, publicity and letters. On business letters, order forms and websites you must also show the registered number, registered office address, where the company is registered and that it is a limited company. If you show directors' names on letters, you must list all of them. There are different rules for invoices. Source: GOV.UK: Signs, stationery and promotional material. You must also display a sign with the company name at your registered address and wherever the business operates, though not at your home if you run the business from there (same source).

Making honest claims

Printed adverts are covered by the same advertising rules as online ads. Claims must be accurate and you must be able to back them up: ASA: The CAP Code. If you put "best", "cheapest" or "5-star" on a leaflet, make sure it's true and can be shown to be true.

Leafleting and the law

Handing out leaflets in some public places may need permission from your local council, and some councils have designated areas where it is controlled. Check with your council before you hand out flyers in the street. Posting leaflets through doors is generally allowed, but respect "no junk mail" signs. For any licence you might need for your business activity, use the GOV.UK: Licence finder.

Choosing a printer

You can use a local printer, which is good for advice, proofs you can hold, quick turnaround and supporting local business, or an online printer, which is often cheaper for standard sizes. Online printers include Vistaprint, Solopress and instantprint. These are plain links; we don't earn from them. Prices change constantly with quantity, paper and delivery speed, so get quotes for the exact job.

Questions to ask before you order

What's the price for a smaller quantity, and what's the delivery time and cost?
Can I see a printed proof, or at least a PDF proof?
What paper weight and finish do you recommend for this use?
Do you offer recycled or FSC-certified paper?
What happens if there is a printing fault?

Track what works

Use a different QR code, web address or offer code on each leaflet run so you know which area or design brought customers. Stop what doesn't work. For more low-cost ideas, read marketing on a small budget and our marketing page.

Keep receipts

Printing for your business is a normal business expense. Keep invoices with your records: GOV.UK: Business records if you're self-employed.

Thinking about sustainability

Order smaller quantities more often rather than one huge run that goes out of date. Ask for recycled stock and vegetable-based inks, and use digital versions (a QR code to your price list, a PDF menu) where print isn't needed.

Official sources

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Last checked 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.