A nonprofit director handed me a brochure at an event once, beaming with pride.

It was a tri-fold, packed with text, squeezed between some clip-art-style graphics. The fonts clashed, the colors felt like they came from an early PowerPoint template, and the stock photos looked like they belonged on a “Family Internet Safety” pamphlet from 2005.

The organization’s mission was powerful. Their work was Impactful. But their print materials? Outdated, cluttered, and completely unmemorable.

And that’s a problem.

Whether it’s brochures, event programs, flyers, or impact reports, your print materials represent your brand just as much as your website or social media does. If they look generic, amateur, or outdated, people will assume your organization is outdated, too.

Good design isn’t about making something “pretty”—it’s about making an impact. In an era where nonprofits compete for attention both online and offline, your nonprofit print design needs to work harder than ever.

So how do you modernize your print materials without losing your nonprofit’s identity? It comes down to clarity, strategy, and a little less clutter.

Less Clutter, More Impact

One of the biggest mistakes nonprofits make with print collateral is trying to say everything at once.

A flyer shouldn’t feel like a Wikipedia page. A brochure shouldn’t look like a dense textbook.

Modern design is about simplifying without watering down your message:

• Use short, bold headlines rather than long paragraphs.

• Break up information with clear sections and bullet points.

• Leave white space—it’s not wasted space; it’s a design tool that makes content easier to absorb.

If your print materials feel crowded, take a step back. Trim 30% of the content. What remains is likely what people will actually read.

Upgrade Your Fonts and Colors

Nothing dates a piece of collateral faster than old-school fonts and tired color palettes.

Still using:
🚨 Times New Roman
🚨 Arial
🚨 Comic Sans (please, just no)

Swap them for modern, brand-appropriate fonts from Google Fonts like:
✅ Montserrat
✅ Lora
✅ Open Sans

Your color choices matter too. Muted, dusty tones can feel lifeless. Instead, pick bold, emotion-evoking palettes:

• Blues and greens → Trust and action

• Oranges and yellows → Optimism and warmth

• Purples and reds → Boldness and urgency

And remember: your print materials should match your online presence. If your digital assets are sleek, but your brochures still look like Microsoft Word 2007, you’re losing brand consistency—and credibility.

Use Photos That Feel Real (Not Staged)

Avoid cheesy stock photography. If your images feel fake, your message does too.

Instead:

• Use photos of real impact from your programs and events.

• Choose authentic nonprofit-style stock if needed—nothing overly staged.

• Let full-bleed images make a bold, modern statement.

People connect with people. Let your visuals show real humans, real stories, and real outcomes.

Modernize Your Layouts

Yes, the tri-fold still exists. But is it really the best layout for your message?

Probably not.

Consider:
✔️ One-pagers – great for handouts or mailers
✔️ Magazine-style booklets – perfect for donor reports or event programs
✔️ Postcards with QR codes – easy, visual, and action-oriented

The right format should complement your content, not force it into awkward, outdated containers.

Make Your Call to Action Crystal Clear

You’re not printing for fun—you’re printing to drive action.

Your CTAs shouldn’t be vague like:
🛑 “Learn more at our website.”

Instead, be bold:
✅ “Give a meal today: [QR code or short URL]”
✅ “Join us—text ‘ACTION’ to 70707.”

Need help? Use a QR code generator that’s made for nonprofits.

Don’t hide the CTA in the fine print. Make it so clear that readers can’t miss it.

Your Nonprofit’s Mission Deserves Better Design

Print is still relevant—but only when it’s well-executed.

Modern nonprofit print design should feel clean, engaging, and actionable. Here’s your checklist:

✔️ Trim the clutter—say more with less.
✔️ Upgrade your fonts and colors.
✔️ Use real, relatable imagery.
✔️ Choose layouts that serve your message—not tradition.
✔️ Give people a clear next step—and make it easy to act.

Want help transforming outdated collateral into tools that actually get results? HOLY SH*FT! can help.

Let’s bring your print into the present—and make sure it works as hard as your mission does.