What Should You Use Instead of Publisher for Flyers?
Short answer: Canva. Flyers are exactly what its template library and one-click resizing were built for, whether you're printing, posting on social, or both.
Here's the fast path for your flyer
Canva is built for exactly this
A huge flyer template library, drag-and-drop editing, and a finished design in minutes, not hours.
One flyer, multiple sizes, one click
Resize the same design for print, Instagram, and Facebook without redesigning it three times.
Your old .pub flyer is a fast rebuild
Export to PDF, then recreate the layout in Canva using it as reference — most flyers take 15–20 minutes.
Word isn't a good fit here
Flyers are visual by nature, and Word wasn't built for precise image and text placement.
Three tools that can replace Publisher for flyers
Canva
A huge flyer template library, one-click resize between print and social, and the easiest to hand off to anyone on your team.
Compare Canva to PublisherLibreOffice
Opens old .pub flyers directly via Draw, and it's free forever — just more manual than Canva's ready-made templates.
Compare LibreOffice to PublisherWord
If you're set on using it, expect to fight image and text placement more than you would in Canva or Publisher itself.
Compare Word to PublisherHow to actually make the switch
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Export your current flyer to PDF today
Do this from Publisher while you still have access — it's your reference no matter which tool you switch to.
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Find a Canva template close to your existing style
Starting from something similar is faster than building your layout from a blank canvas.
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Rebuild your text and images using your PDF as reference
Most flyers take 15–20 minutes to rebuild once you've picked a template.
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Resize for any other formats you need
If the same flyer needs to work for print and social media, use Canva's resize feature rather than rebuilding it separately.
Flyer questions people actually ask
What's the fastest way to make a flyer without Publisher?
Canva, hands down. Search its flyer template library for something close to your existing design and swap in your own text and photos.
Can I use the same flyer for print and social media?
Yes — Canva's resize feature lets you reformat one design for different dimensions without rebuilding it from scratch.
Do I need special software for print-ready flyers?
No — Canva's free plan exports a print-ready PDF. Just confirm bleed and margin requirements with your specific print shop before a large run.
Is Word ever the right choice for a flyer?
Rarely. Flyers are inherently visual, and Word's text-first design makes precise image and text placement more frustrating than it needs to be.
What if my flyer has a lot of small text, like an event schedule?
Canva still works fine for this — just size your text carefully and preview at actual print size before finalizing.
Not sure Canva alone covers what you need?
The Publisher Retirement Kit includes a decision guide made for exactly this kind of call — no guessing required.
Get the Retirement Kit