Public safety campaigns aren’t just fought online or over the airwaves; they also take place on community bulletin boards, street corners, and office lobbies. Printed materials like posters, flyers, brochures, and banners play a tremendous role in spreading awareness about safety and security issues. 

Let’s talk about how these printed materials for law enforcement support public safety campaigns and share some tips to make them effective.

Why Print Still Matters in Public Safety Campaigns

It’s easy to assume TV and social media do all the heavy lifting when it comes to generating awareness. However, print materials still have some unique advantages that complement those forms of electronic media nicely:

  • Visibility: 

Printed posters and signs literally put the message in people’s line of sight as they go about their day. Public safety agencies often distribute free posters, yard signs, and brochures to saturate the community with the campaign message. 

For example, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign provides printable materials and encourages organizations to place them in transportation hubs, on bulletin boards, and in common areas. 

This kind of omnipresence keeps important tips (like reporting suspicious activity) at the forefront of people’s minds.

  • Reaching Offline Audiences: 

Not everyone is active on social media or tuning into the local news. Printed materials can reach segments of the population that may miss digital messages. This might be seniors at a community center or residents in rural areas with limited internet access. 

They also offer translations and accessibility that some digital formats struggle with. A flyer can be handed out in multiple languages at a community event, so everyone gets the info in a language they understand.

  • Tangible Engagement: 

There’s something about holding information in your hand that can make it more memorable. A safety coloring book for kids about bike helmets, or a pamphlet from the police about starting a Neighborhood Watch, invites interaction. People might put a fridge magnet (with emergency numbers and safety tips) on display at home, serving as a lasting prompt. 

These tangible items often stick around longer than a fleeting online post. In fact, safety agencies still print millions of documents and publications annually, underscoring the continued importance of physical materials in outreach.

  • Support for Enforcement and Action: 

Printed campaign materials often go hand-in-hand with enforcement efforts. 

During a “Click It or Ticket” campaign, for instance, you’ll see roadside signs and billboards warning about seatbelt laws at the same time police are conducting extra patrols. The print messaging prepares and educates the public, while the enforcement drives the point home. 

Research has shown that comprehensive campaigns do have tangible results – a broad analysis of road safety campaigns found they can increase seat belt use by ~25% and reduce accidents by around 9%, among other benefits. 

That’s a consequential impact, and it comes from using all channels (print, media, enforcement) to shift public behavior.

5 Types of Printed Materials in Public Safety Drives

Public safety organizations use a variety of print formats, each suited to different settings:

  • Posters: 

Perhaps the most iconic, posters are used for everything from drunk driving prevention to anti-drug campaigns to emergency preparedness. A well-placed poster at eye level in a library, grocery store, or school can spark conversations. 

For example, a dramatic poster featuring a texting driver with the caption “Drive Now, Text Later” might prompt teens to discuss it…which is exactly what you want!

Posters also have a long exposure time; once up, they passively reach everyone who walks by.

  • Flyers and Brochures: 

These are ideal for providing detailed information and distributing personal handouts. A brochure on hurricane readiness can be distributed at a town hall meeting, providing attendees with step-by-step tips to take home. 

A flyer about a free self-defense workshop hosted by the police can be left on community center counters. 

Because people can take them, they serve as a takeaway reminder to follow up (e.g., visit a website, join a program, or simply remember the advice given).

  • Banners and Billboards: 

Larger-format prints, such as street banners or billboards, are used for major campaigns (e.g., highway safety, anti-DUI messages around holidays). They grab attention from afar. A banner across Main Street, reading “School’s Open – Drive Safely” in bold letters, for instance, sends a clear cue to every driver in the area. 

Billboards can carry compelling statistics or slogans. Thanks to their sheer size, they lend a certain gravitas to the campaign message.

  • Stickers, Decals, and Signs: 

Smaller print items, such as window decals (e.g., “This home is gun-safe” or alarm system signs) and stickers, all contribute to spreading awareness. Law enforcement often hands out stickers and fridge magnets during community fairs because they’re fun and tend to get kept. 

Yard signs, as mentioned, are common in neighborhood watch or anti-crime campaigns (“We call the police on suspicious activity”). 

  • Printed Pledges or Cards: 

Some campaigns use print in interactive ways. For example, a fire department might distribute wallet cards that list how to create a family escape plan, or a school might have students sign a printed pledge to stay drug-free and then post those pledge cards in the hallway. Printed commitments like this can reinforce personal responsibility in safety.

6 Design Tips for Effective Safety Materials

Not all posters and flyers are created equal. To truly support the campaign, the design and messaging must be on point. 

Here are some tips to maximize the impact of your graphics:

  • Keep the Message Focused: 

Each printed piece should convey a single, clear message or call to action. If you’re creating a poster about seat belt safety, stick to that topic alone. Research and marketing wisdom say that anything more can confuse or dilute the impact of the website. 

A focused message with a single compelling image will stick better than a poster trying to address seatbelts, speeding, and child seats all in one.

  • Use Striking Visuals but Minimal Text: 

You have only a moment to grab attention. A powerful image can draw people in. For instance, a vivid graphic of cracked glasses can effectively warn “Wear eye protection” as a safety poster, prompting discussion among viewers. 

Keep text short and punchy: slogans, a statistic in large font, or a brief tagline work well. 

If more explanation is needed, a small paragraph or a QR code linking to details is okay, but the overall layout should be easily digestible at a glance. Most people won’t stop to read long blocks of text on a poster or flyer.

  • Ensure High Readability: 

High readability on printed materials means there’s a good contrast of light vs. dark and readable fonts. Large font sizes for key points are also important. 

A safety flyer isn’t the place for fancy cursive or cluttered text effects. 

Test your design by squinting or viewing from a few steps back. Can you still capture the main point?

  • Add a Call to Action: 

Effective awareness materials often tell the reader what to do next. 

It could be: 

  • Behavioral: “Always lock your car.”
  • Informational: “Visit our website for free CPR training.”
  • Interactive: “Attend National Night Out on Aug 3 at 7pm.”

This call to action should be prominent. If it’s an event, print the date/time clearly. If it’s a statistic-driven campaign, maybe the call is implied (“Know the facts, make a change”). 

  • Leverage Local Branding: 

Include logos of sponsoring agencies (such as police departments, fire departments, or health agencies) so that people know the source and can trust the content. 

Sometimes, partnership logos (such as MADD for a drunk driving campaign or the Red Cross for an emergency preparedness campaign) can also be included. 

Just don’t clutter the piece with too many logos! One or two main ones are usually enough to establish credibility.

  • Print Quality and Placement: 

Use good-quality printing, especially for outdoor materials. For example, use UV-resistant ink for posters that will be in the sun, waterproof paper, or lamination if they might get wet. A faded, tattered poster can undermine the message or be overlooked altogether. 

And finally, place materials strategically. A fantastic flyer is useless if it sits in a stack where no one picks it up. 

Distribute these materials to community boards, hand them out at events, and partner with local businesses to display them, among other strategies.

Print and Digital Law Enforcement Graphics Go Hand-in-Hand

You’ll get the best results with your public safety campaigns when you utilize multiple media channels in harmony. Your print materials will reinforce your digital messages, and vice versa. 

To ensure your message makes the impact you intend, work with graphic designers who specialize in law enforcement and security designs. Contact the pros at GDI Graphics for hands-on help.