A fridge magnet has to win a small daily contest. The fridge door is crowded with photos, school notes and appointment cards, and anything that doesn't earn its place gets moved on. The magnets that survive tend to have one thing in common: they're useful. This guide covers what to put on your custom fridge magnet, how to lay it out, and how to get the artwork done.
Give people a reason to keep it
A magnet that simply advertises your business is easy to remove. A magnet that helps someone run their week is not. Before you think about colours or fonts, decide what job the magnet will do on the fridge. Your branding then sits alongside that job, where it's seen every time someone checks the date or looks up a number.
Useful content that earns a spot
Calendars
A year-at-a-glance calendar is the classic keeper. People check it constantly, and it stays relevant for twelve months. Leave room for public holidays or school terms if they suit your audience, and keep the dates large enough to read from across the kitchen.
Emergency and important numbers
A short list of numbers a household might need in a hurry, with space to write in their own (the doctor, the vet, a neighbour), gives your magnet a serious purpose. Put your own number on it too, naturally.
Conversion charts
Cooking measurements, oven temperatures and cup-to-gram conversions live comfortably on the fridge. They suit food businesses, health professionals and anyone whose audience cooks at home.
Term dates and fixtures
Schools, kindies and sports clubs can print term dates, training nights or the season draw. Families keep these because they need them, and every glance is a reminder of who sent it.
Notepads
A notepad holder magnet turns your magnet into the place where the shopping list gets written. It's used weekly, often daily.
Layout: one job, one focal point
Good magnet design is about hierarchy. Decide what people should see first, second and third, and size things accordingly:
- The useful content gets the most space.
- Your logo or name is clear and recognisable, but doesn't compete.
- Your contact details are easy to find and easy to read.
Leave white space. A crowded magnet is tiring to look at, and the important parts get lost. Use strong contrast between text and background, and avoid small, thin fonts that are hard to read at a distance. Keep key text away from the edges so nothing important sits near the cut line.
Contact details that actually get used
Pick the one or two ways you most want people to reach you and make them prominent. For most businesses, that's a phone number and a website. A long row of social media icons usually adds clutter rather than calls.
A short call to action helps, too: "Call for a free quote", "Book online" or "Ask about a free appraisal". Keep it to a few words. If your face is part of your brand, as it often is for agents and local trades, a clear photo can build recognition. Our real estate magnets page has more ideas for agents.
Match the design to the size and shape
Content and size go hand in hand. A calendar needs at least A6, and a business card magnet suits a name and number. Shapes can carry meaning, like a house for property or a tooth for a dental practice. Our guide to choosing the right fridge magnet size covers every option in the range, and the calendar magnets collection is a good place to start for year-long designs.
Free artwork from our designers
You don't need a designer of your own. Choose free artwork when you get your price, and once you order, our designer will contact you within 24 hours. Send through your logo, your details and a rough idea of what you'd like, and they'll put a design together.
You can ask for as many changes as you need. Our designer works with you until you're 100% happy, and you don't pay until you approve your design. There are no cancellation fees.
Supplying your own artwork
If you'd rather design it yourself, download the PDF print template from the product page you've chosen. It shows the exact size and shape, so you can place your content with confidence. Follow the guides in the template, keep important text well inside the edges, and send your finished file when you order.
A quick design checklist
- Does the magnet do a useful job on the fridge?
- Is the useful content the biggest thing on it?
- Can you read the key text from a metre or two away?
- Is your phone number clear and easy to find?
- Is there enough white space?
- Have you checked spelling, numbers and dates twice?
Pair a well-designed magnet with recycled paper and a plastic-free laminate, and you've got a promotional magnet that's both useful and lower-impact. Learn more about our eco-friendly fridge magnets.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for the design?
No. Artwork is free. Our designer contacts you within 24 hours of ordering and works with you until you're happy with the result.
How many changes can I make?
As many as you need. Changes are unlimited, and you approve the final design before anything is printed or paid for.
Can I use my own artwork?
Yes. Download the PDF print template from the product page, design to it, and supply your file when you order.
What should go on a promotional magnet?
Something useful first, such as a calendar, key numbers or a chart, then your logo and one or two clear ways to contact you. Keep it simple and easy to read.