Flyers are essential advertising tools, so it's important that they promote products effectively.

The key to making a flyer serve its purpose is to design it in such a way that makes it stand out. But sometimes time is tight, and you just don't have hours to spare to work up a wholly original design.

To help you out, we've gathered together a selection of cool flyer templates that can help you create a great looking flyer in half the time. You never know when you'll need them, so bookmark this page now!

• Also read: Eye-catching examples of flyer design

01. Bold typography flyer template

A flyer and poster template combination, this design will enable you to let your font skills speak for themselves. Bold, vibrant, colorful and fun, this is one of those handy flyer templates that can be used and applied for just about any purpose. The layers are specified into groups, so you'll have no problem editing this one.

02. Retro flyer template

One for the vintage lovers of design, these six retro-style and unique flyers templates are perfect for your next party or corporate event. The final package you download includes a fully layered, renamed, grouped PSD files and download links for free fonts in *.txt file.

03. Geometric flyer templates

Check out these modern and unique flyer templates for your next project. The final package you download includes nine flyer styles and nine business card styles. They're easy to modify and include bleeds, trims and guidelines.

04. Chill Out flyer template

Originally designed to promote a music event, this wood-textured flyer template can also be used for a new album promotion or other advertising purposes. It's print ready, simple to customise with well organised layers. The photos aren't included, but the effects and textures will be applied to any photo you use - the wood texture is also included. A gorgeous design and certainly worthy of inclusion on our list of the best flyer templates.

05. Alternative flyer template

Here's another of our flyer templates that's perfect for any gig, album or concert promotion.  Simple to customise, the effects and textures will be applied to any photo that you chose to include in the design. All the fonts used are free so you won't have any problems there!

06. Indie vintage flyer

This cool indie vintage flyer template, created by Moodboy, was designed to promote music events but would work well for any special occasion. The A4-size template will set you back just $6 for a regular license and is fully customiseable, with organized layers and paper textures included and free fonts used.

07. Photography services flyer

This free photography flyer template, offered by FlyerHeroes, is perfect for advertising photography and design services. With 20 predefined photo spots, this template is easily customiseable to quickly create an eye-catching flyer design. And, best of all, it's free! But be sure to check the file license for full details before use.

08. '80s flyer template

Looking for a retro flyer template? Look no further than this design, originally designed to promote an '80s revival party. From the colour palette to font choice, freelance graphic designer Roberto Perrino captures the style of the '80s perfectly. The design is a steal at $6 for a regular license and is fully customiseable.

09. Typography gig flyer

Designed like a gig poster, we love this typography flyer template from Romanian artist Augustin of ZiaroGraphics. At just $6 for a regular licence for the design, this flyer template is perfect for music festivals and concerts. The template features more than eight fonts and a grunge look, suitable for alternative, rock, indie, britpop and punk bands.

10. Newspaper flyer

Planning a special event? Why not advertise it with this brilliant newspaper flyer template. Be the hottest news in town by fully customising the design with your own images and text. The download costs $6 for a regular licence and comes complete with two colour versions, well organised layers and more.

11. Vintage flyer

If you're after a retro design for your event, then this cool vintage flyer template may be just the ticket. Designed by itscroma, the artist was inspired by psychedelic music when creating the piece. Featuring bright, vibrant colours, this template includes four PSD files in blue, blue 2, green-blue and red-green to choose from.

12. Event instruction template

This brilliant flyer template, designed by AgenceMe, lets the illustrations do all the talking. The retro style design is perfect for any special occasion and includes three different colour versions, red, blue and orange, and 14 icons for you to customise the design.

13. Gig flyer template

Are you organising a gig or festival? Or want to design a flyer to promote one? Then this cool vintage-style flyer template is a great place to start. Created by Moodboy, this free design is perfect for album promotions and advertising purposes too. 

14. Corporate flyer template

If you're looking for a more corporate design, then this flyer template bundle by Tony Huynh is just the ticket. There are five different layout variations and all elements can be edited easily using Adobe InDesign or Illustrator. At just $8 for a regular license, they're a total bargain.

15. Sky flyer template

This minimal, clean flyer template would act as a great starting point to promote an upcoming summer event. It comes in five different colours as a layered PSD file, so is easily editable. This design can also double as a voucher or invitation. Download the flyer from Graphic River, where a regular license for it will set you back just $6.

16. Contemporary flyer template

If you like to work with big, bold type then this contemporary flyer template is the one for you. It costs just $6 and comes as a layered PSD file, so you can easily change the the background and text. The example here showcases a music event but it can be adapted for many other purposes.

17. Photography flyer template

Photographers: why not put your work all over this simple, elegant photography flyer template? Created by designer Mike Bradshaw, the design is completely customisable, with the text, shape and images all easily modified. And it's a bargain at just $5.

18. Sketchbook flyer template

Check out this sketchbook flyer template, created initially to promote a music event but perfect for all kinds of advertising purposes. It comes as a PSD file, layers are well organised and with quick photo replacement, the design is easy to customise. A steal at just $6.

19. Minimal flyer template

This simple yet stylish minimal flyer template comes from designer Michele Angoloro. For just $6, you can access this PSD or AI file, which is completely customisable. Change the colors, positions and typefaces to suit your own design brief.

20. Cutout flyer template

This cutout flyer template is sure to grab people's attention. It sports bright colours and bold type, both of which you can edit to fully customise your design. Created in Adobe Photoshop, there are two layered PSD files in sizes 4x6 or A4, all for a mere $6.

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Have you seen any awesome flyer templates? Let us know about it in the comments box below...