For many people, buying print feels harder than it should be.

You're presented with terminology you've never used before.
Paper weights, finishes, sizes, coatings, formats.
You're under pressure to make decisions quickly — and there's a sense that getting it wrong will be obvious.

The truth is: most print problems don't come from poor quality.
They come from choosing the wrong product for the environment it's meant to live in.

This guide is designed to help inexperienced buyers understand what common printed products are actually best suited for — without the jargon.

 Start With the Environment, Not the Product

Before deciding what to print, it helps to think about where that print will be used.

Ask yourself:

Will this be used indoors or outdoors?

Will it be handled once or many times?

Is it informational or promotional?

Does it need to last minutes, days, or months?

Once the environment is clear, the right product choice becomes much easier.

 Leaflets & Flyers — And Where They Work Best

Leaflets & Flyers -  Best suited to:

Events

Promotions

Handouts

Short-lived campaigns

Leaflets are designed for quick consumption. They work best when the message is simple and time-sensitive.

They're ideal for:

Event promotion

In-store offers

Awareness campaigns

They are not suited to long-term reference or heavy handling. If a leaflet needs to be kept, referred to, or survive multiple uses, it's probably the wrong format.

 Brochures — And Where They Work Best

Brochures - Best suited to:

Explaining products or services

Client-facing environments

Reception areas

Sales conversations

Brochures allow more space and structure than leaflets. They're useful when information needs to be absorbed, not skimmed.

They work well indoors and in controlled environments. They're less suitable for outdoor use or situations where durability is critical.

 Business Cards — And Where They Work Best

Business Cards - Best suited to:

One-to-one introductions

Networking

Relationship building

Business cards are not advertising. They're a personal handover.

They should:

Be easy to carry

Feel appropriate to your brand

Be legible above all else

Overcomplicating business cards rarely improves them. Their job is simple: help someone remember you and contact you later.

 Posters — And Where They Work Best

Posters - Best suited to:

Visibility

Wayfinding

Promotion

Information display

Size matters here.

A4 / A3: Indoor notices, offices, staff areas, close viewing

A2 / A1: Retail, events, windows, medium-distance viewing

Large format: Outdoor, distance viewing, high impact

Posters should be designed for how far away they'll be read from. Too much information is one of the most common mistakes.

 Internal Printed Materials — And Where They Work Best

Internal Printed Materials - Best suited to:

Training documents

Process guides

Internal communications

Internal print prioritises clarity and usability over appearance.

It should:

Be easy to read

Be durable enough for repeated handling

Avoid unnecessary finishes

Internal print doesn't need to impress — it needs to work.

 Outdoor Printed Products — And Where They Work Best

Outdoor Printed Products - Best suited to:

Signage

Event branding

Temporary promotions

Outdoor environments are unforgiving. Weather, handling, and exposure matter more than aesthetics.

Outdoor print needs:

Appropriate materials

Clear messaging

Realistic expectations about lifespan

Using indoor products outdoors is one of the fastest ways to waste budget.

 Why Buyers Feel Overwhelmed - Print buying can feel intimidating because:

Decisions feel permanent

Terminology isn't explained

There's pressure to “get it right”

Capabilities are discussed before needs

The best print outcomes happen when buyers feel comfortable asking simple questions — and when suppliers explain why something is or isn't suitable.

A Simple Rule to Remember

If you're unsure, ask:

Where will this live, and how will it be used?

That single question removes most of the confusion.

At Sustainable Print Nexus, we help buyers cut through terminology and focus on what actually matters — so print choices are made with confidence, not pressure.

Because the right printed product isn't the most complex one.
It's the one that fits its environment.