Participation level:

Low (Information only)

Innovation level:

Low (Traditional)

Facilitator skill level, and other support required:

Medium (Computer & other expertise)

Can be used for:

Showcase product, plan, policy
Communicate an issue

Printed information aims to provide easily scanned details, in words and drawings, to inform a community about an issue or proposal. Printed information can be easily handed out and carried away.

Printed material, whether handed out, dropped into letterboxes, distributed by mail, or mailed out with other material, is one of the easiest and most familiar methods for increasing awareness of an issue and/or soliciting responses to an issue or proposal.

Printed public information materials can combine the needs of publicity with information and allow for minor public input
They can reach a large amount of people through mailing or via the availability of the information to the public
If comment sheets or questionnaires are included the material can allow for limited public input to a project
Can facilitate the documentation of the public participation process
Can be a low-cost means of publicity
Can be economically distributed by doubling up with existing mail out lists.

The problem with most printed materials is the limited space available to communicate complicated concepts
Needs time to decide on text, visuals, proofread, print and fold.
There is no guarantee that the materials will be read.
If mailed, the guarantee of being read is only as good as the mailing list itself; mailing lists need regular updating to avoid wasted time, energy and paper.
Appearance of the material should be visually interesting but should avoid a 'sales' look
Can be lost if included with many other flyers and bill stuffers (consider using coloured paper and bold headlines if mailing as a bill stuffer, to ensure this is not just binned without reading).
Without visual elements, this can exclude those who are not print literate.

Organizing Printed Information

How many people to organize?

Large (> 12 people)
Medium (2-12 people)

Time required:

Medium (6 weeks-6 months)

Cost:

High (> AUD$10,000)
Medium (AUD$1,000-AUD$10,000)

Available budget, and the use of other publicity methods and tools for distributing project information, will determine just what type of printed material will best suit your need.
Plan your messages well. Provide regular updates, but do not bombard people with information.
Develop the material with the following considerations in mind:make it eye catching (colour, photos, cartoons).make it simple and easy to understandprovide points of contact, such as the name of a central information contact or details of the participation programavoid a 'sales' lookdo not overload with information
Limited public input can be sought through printed public information materials by the inclusion of surveys and questionnaires or comment/response sheets.
Enclosing a stamped, addressed envelope(or email address/website) with mail outs will improve the return of comments for posted materials
The material should be easily available to the public and be accessible from a number of locations.
It is critical that the information outlines the public's role in the participation process or opportunities for participation.
Keep mailing lists up to date and check for duplication to save money, time and paper.
If distributing as a bill stuffer:speak to agency/department which distributes bills and find out when they need the material in order to go out in the appropriate mail out, and in what format.check what else is being distributed with bills, and decide whether your flyer will have a good chance of being read.deliver/arrange for printer to deliver to agency/department who will stuff and distribute