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Your AI-Generated Flyer Is Hurting Your Reputation

  • Writer: Amy Weibley
    Amy Weibley
  • Aug 4
  • 6 min read

Why AI-Generated promotional graphics do more harm than good.


AI-generated flyer with too much info crammed together in multiple bright colors and too many font styles

If you’re like me, you have been unable to escape the deluge of AI-generated flyers and promotional graphics overtaking social media. From sports clubs to local restaurants to community nonprofits, it feels like everyone is hopping on the AI bandwagon for their flyers. To which I’ve continually asked myself, “What in the AI is going on here!?”


On the one hand, I get it, time is a scarce commodity. And when you don’t have graphic design skills or the money to pay a designer, it can be more than tempting to input a few prompts into ChatGPT and within minutes get a flyer. It is fast, easy, and can usually create something that meets your needs.


But if you think people can’t tell you used AI, you’re wrong.


So what? Does that matter? If everyone is doing it, that must mean it works, right? Let’s talk about it.


The Technical Case Against AI-Generated Flyers


You may want to reconsider using AI for your promotions for two important reasons: the technical design failures and how your message is received by audiences.

Without diving too deep into the technical design critiques, I’ll highlight some of the most obvious issues I’ve seen consistently across AI-generated flyers:


  • Overcrowded layouts and unnecessary content. White space is a fundamental design tool. What you leave out is often just as important as what you include. Proper spacing improves readability and guides viewers to the most important information.

  • Inconsistent typography. AI-generated flyers often use way too many fonts in a single design yet somehow produce graphics that all look remarkably similar no matter who they are created for.

  • Technical limitations. Most AI-generated graphics are low-resolution, RGB-based raster images rather than scalable vector files. I know, too much jargon! What it really means is they usually don't print well and are only suited for online use.. (This goes for logos, too!)

  • Frequent errors. AI-generated flyers are often packed with content, making mistakes easy to overlook. And when people appear in the design, the results can still be noticeably flawed. Extra body parts, wrong body parts, weird looking hands—it is all a little disturbing.

  • Screenshot of AI error showing a woman in a yoga pose with too many knee joints.

Real samples of graphics AI generated that someone used for work. They didn’t catch the …erm…abnormal human graphics!


How AI-Generated Flyers Harm Your Reputation


Okay, so you’re thinking “Amy, you’re a graphic designer, so of course the use of AI graphics upsets you!” Fair enough. I realize that I may not have an objective opinion, so I conducted a totally unscientific poll of my social media network to help gauge the average person’s perspective on AI graphics and share some perspectives other than mine.


The results were even more extreme than I anticipated. Out of 39 people, only 5% said they like AI-generated images, with 11% feeling neutral about them. Thirty percent reported not liking them and 54%—more than half!—said they “loathe them with the fiery passion of 1,000 burning suns.” That is a strong feeling. That means 84% do not like seeing AI graphics.


Like I stated before, this is not a scientific poll so don’t quote my “research,” but I do believe it reveals something that shouldn’t be ignored. Actual research does support my findings—keep reading!

People gave a variety of reasons for their response, but several common themes emerged:

Like:

Screenshot of a comment that reads: I like AI but it means media consumers should be more skeptical of content they see. Critical thinking. Which was also important before AI.

Neutral: 

“I think they have a lot of potential, but it seems like we’ve jumped in too fast. People who are knowledgeable about them use them well.”

Screenshot of a comment that reads: I’m neutral in the use of AI-generated graphics. They are a tool in the hands of someone who knows how to use them. The trick to me would be when the person using them puts it together in a creative and novel way to capture the tiny few seconds of attention a person is willing to give up.

Don’t Like:

“AI undermines trust, which is in small supply even now.”

“Feels too much like Big Brother.”

“They tend to be over the top…I and others in my circles seem to like the simpler graphics, clip art, and original photos.”

Screenshot of a comment that reads: I don't like them. I would rather someone just write the information down on paper honestly. I generally don't trust the authority of someone who uses AI in their graphics.

Loathe:

“I loathe them because they take away from artists and AI generated images hurt the planet by abusing fresh water sources.”

“I believe creativity is an essential part of being human and using AI-generated images is outsourcing a very deep and important part of ourselves…AI can be used to do a whole bunch of different things. Just stay away from this.”


Screenshot of a comment that reads: Despise. I don't want to go to an event if I see the ad is AI generated. haha.

It seems that while there is a mix of viewpoints, many people tend to think they are best used in moderation, or not at all. You know what this discussion reminds me of? The ease of stopping at the drive-thru for a burger on your way home from a busy day. Once in a while, it is a total lifesaver and can really get the job done. But stopping every day? That’s a recipe for problems.


Think of AI-generated flyers like fast food for your brand. Every time you use one, you’re serving your audience something quick and convenient. They may not mind occasionally, but if that’s all they see, they’ll start to associate your brand with content that feels cheap, generic, and mass-produced rather than thoughtful and high-quality.


Then there are the conscientious objectors to AI. Many people are deeply concerned about AI’s environmental impacts, the giant data centers disrupting local infrastructure, its effect on the economy through wealth inequality and job displacement, the theft of creativity, the threat to critical thinking skills, and so on.


All of this leads to my main point: when you use an AI-generated flyer, you risk people missing your message because all they are thinking about is the fact that you used AI. It may do more harm than good with your audience because how they feel about AI will transfer to how they feel about you.


Image shows someone pointing at a phone that says, "How someone feels about AI will transfer to how they feel about your organization." Beside this is text that reads, "Why be cautious with AI in your marketing?"

If someone has a negative opinion about AI, it will impact how they view your organization and turn them off to whatever you are promoting before they even read your messaging.


I don’t mean to discredit AI completely. I believe it can be a valuable tool when used in moderation to help in situations like brainstorming event names, developing SEO keywords, or compiling hashtags for social media posts.


But we must be careful that our use of AI isn’t eliminating the most important part of your marketing: the human factor.


In my opinion, you’re better off using Microsoft Paint to create a graphic for your promotion. It may not look as professional, but at least it will be authentic.


People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away and AI-generated flyers often feel generic and disconnected from a brand’s identity. Instead of reinforcing your organization’s personality, they can make it appear out of touch and inauthentic.


Image created with Canva showing, “Please DON’T use AI for your graphics!” in handwritten text with a praying hand emoji and a smiley face.

Why Authentic Marketing Still Wins


Of course, hiring a graphic designer would be ideal for your promotions, but that might not be something your organization can afford right now (it may not be as out of budget as you think, though!).


Authentic marketing is the key to a nonprofit’s success in connecting with its audience. Authentic marketing means swapping overly polished, scripted promotions for genuine, transparent, and relatable outreach by showing the human side of an organization and sharing honest, value-driven stories. Think mission-centered messaging!


And the best part: being authentic is free!


How to Create Better Flyers without AI


To tackle promotions on your own when you need a flyer, brochure, etc., in my opinion, the best tool out there for the amateur is Canva. For 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Canva Pro is free to use. Which means you can have access to thousands of templates to get you started.


All you need to do is select a template, add your own information, and adjust the design to match your brand. Plus, their media library is full of endless photos, videos, graphics, and more to ensure any graphics you create can represent what your organization does.


Want to try making your own graphics in Canva? Here’s a few graphic design tips to keep in mind:


  1. Ensure it’s easy to read by using high contrast colors between your font and background, keep the text at 12 points or higher, and use easy-to-read fonts (such as Georgia or Arial).

  2. Use negative space (aka white space)—don’t try to cram too much into one graphic.

  3. Limit your font types to two or three and your font sizes to two or three max.

  4. Use size, color, and placement to emphasize the most important information.

  5. Use high-quality, engaging images that match your message.

  6. Use AI (GASP!) to help you identify the must-have information to include on your flyer or promotion. Sometimes less is more!

  7. Look over your design and ask yourself, “Is this authentic to our organization?” If your answer is no, what is missing that would connect your mission to the message in your design?

  8. Does it give enough information to the reader to take action? What is the call to action and is it easy to find?


A key held by two fingers that reads, “Authenticity” in front of an open door.

BONUS Pro Tip: Canva has a feature called Brand Kit. This allows you to keep your logos, brand colors, and fonts all in one place and easily place them in your designs, allowing for greater consistency. If you don’t have set colors and fonts you use (and can’t afford to hire a graphic designer to help develop your brand), pick out ones that match your logo, or at least complement it.


Want to learn more about the basics of graphic design and Canva?


I will be partnering with Ghost Writer to put together some FREE virtual workshops later this year and we would love to have you join us! Fill out this form to let us know you’re interested.


If you want to talk with a designer about developing your brand, don’t hesitate to reach out. I love working with nonprofits and would be so happy to share more about the services offered by AW Designs.


In the meantime, I can’t wait to see what you make. I promise, whatever you create will be better for your organization than an AI-generated flyer.



 
 
 

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