The Complete Print Size Guide: Choosing the Right Dimensions

Creating memorable marketing materials requires using a print size guide. A print size guide can help you make the right choice, whether you’re starting a new business project or refreshing your signage. 

Signage, from large-format printing to eye-catching banners, plays a crucial role in branding and marketing. Imagine walking past a sign that’s advertising garden furniture. 

Would you really notice it on an A5 board?

Probably not! 

However, an A2 or A1 poster would certainly catch your eye. 

Popular print sizes include A3, A5, and A2, but there are many more to explore. Although aesthetics might draw you to a particular size, other factors like functionality and visibility are essential to consider. Different sizes can significantly impact your project’s effectiveness.

At Fantasy Prints, we offer a range of printing options to meet your business needs. From murals to A0 posters, A5 flyers, and more, we provide high-quality products and an in-depth printing experience. 

Are you ready to dive into the complete print size guide and find the perfect fit for your project? 

Let’s get started!

The Print Size Chart: Understanding Standard Print Sizes

First thing’s first, understanding the print sizes available. 

Knowing the different print size options can help you choose the best fit for your project. Whether your goal is to convey a message or make an impact, strategically sized surfaces are key.

Here’s a print size chart breakdown of standard print sizes and their ideal uses:

Print size	Dimensions (mm)	Dimensions (cm)	Inches (in)	Ideal uses
DL	99 x 210 mm	9.9 x 21 cm	3.9 × 8.3 in	Stationary items like envelopes and brochures
A6	105 x 148.5 mm	10.5 x 14.85 cm	4.1 × 5.8 in	Invitations and postcards
A5	148 x 210 mm	14.85 x 21 cm	5.8 × 8.3 in	Brochures and flyers
A4	210 x 297 mm	21 x 29.7 cm	8.3 × 11.7 in	Signs and small posters
A3	297 x 420 mm	29.7 x 42 cm	11.7 × 16.5 in	Event banners and promotional posters
A2	420 x 594 mm	42 x 59.4 cm	16.5 × 23.4 in	Large posters at events or exhibitions
A1	594 x 841 mm	59.4 x 84.1 cm	23.4 × 33.1 in	Trade shows and marketing campaigns
A0	841 x 1189 mm	84.1 x 118.9 cm	33.1 × 46.8 in	Event backdrops, large format posters

Let’s take a closer look:

DL

• DL in mm is 99 x 210 mm
• DL in cm is 9.9x 21 cm
• DL in inches is 3.9 × 8.2 in

DL (Dimension Lengthwise) is a versatile and compact print size that works well for various stationery items, like envelopes and notepads, and is a common choice for flyers, folded leaflets, and brochures. Its slim, convenient shape makes it perfect for bulk printing. This allows businesses to share materials widely without taking up too much space. 

A6 Print

• A6 in mm is 105 x 148.5 mm
• A6 in cm is 14.85 x 21 cm
• A6 in inches is 5.8 x 8.3 in

A6 is the smallest standard print size, typically used for postcards and invitations. Its compact size is ideal for cost-effective, bulk printing and easy distribution. If you’re delivering short, impactful messages, A6 is a smart choice.

A5 Print

• A5 in mm is 148.5 x 210 mm
• A5 in cm is 29.7 x 42 cm
• A5 in inches is 5.8 × 8.3 in

A5 offers a compact option for brochures and flyers, making it popular for promotional materials. It’s easy to hand out, store, and carry around, so you can use it to spread the word about your business or the services you offer. With effective design, A5 print materials can be just as impactful as a large poster on a building.

A4 Print

• A4 in mm is 210 x 297 mm
• A4 in cm is 21 x 29.7 cm
• A4 in inches is 8.3 × 11.7 in

A4 is one of the most common sizes on a print size guide for brochures, handouts, signs, and small posters. It’s versatile and works well for quick, concise information, maintaining a compact yet impactful presence.

A3 Print  

• A3 in mm is 297 x 420 mm
• A3 in cm is 29.7 x 42 cm
• A3 in inches is 11.7 × 16.5 in

The A3 poster size is a popular choice for larger signs. It provides a good balance between being concise and attention-grabbing, offering enough space to make an impact without overwhelming viewers. Event banners and promotional posters are often on A3 signs.

A2 Print  

• A2 in mm is 420 x 594 mm
• A2 in cm is 42 x 59.4 cm
• A2 in inches is 16.5 × 23.4 in

A2 is ideal for making a strong impression with larger posters. This size emphasises visibility, which is why it’s commonly used at events and exhibitions for pop up banners. These signs are often made from Foamex or Correx. These materials are both durable and waterproof, making them a great choice for high-quality signage.

A1 Print

• A1 in mm is 594 x 841 mm
• A1 in cm is 59.4cm x 84.1cm
• A1 in inches is 23.4 × 33.1 in

For events or trade shows, A1 is an effective size for attracting attention. Its larger scale increases visibility, making it ideal for public announcements, festival signage, and campaigns in crowded spaces. LinkedIn discuss a FedEx office survey that found “68% of consumers said they have purchased a product or service because a sign caught their eye.”

A0 Print

• A0 in mm is 841mm x 1189mm
• A0 in cm is 84.1cm x 118.9cm
• A0 in inches is 33.1 × 46.8 in

A0 is the largest standard size, perfect for billboards and large-scale marketing. It’s a great choice for projects that require maximum visibility, like mesh material event backdrops or advertising campaigns featuring bold graphics or large typography.

By understanding the poster print sizes, you can make an informed decision and make your project more effective and impactful as a result. 

If you’re struggling to remember the differences, don’t worry. An easy way to remember them is that each size is half the size as the one before. For example, if you fold an A0 piece of paper in half it would become A1. If you fold that in half, it’ll become A2. If you fold that, it’s then A3. Folding A3 in half gives you A4. 

You get the picture! 

The Different Print Sizes: The Pros and Cons

Choosing the right poster print sizes for a project can make or break the effectiveness of your marketing materials. We’ve looked at the different options available and it’s time to turn our attention to the pros and cons of opting for specific ones. 

To help with the print size guide, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:

DL

The DL print size is a compact and cost-effective option ideal for flyers, and brochures. Its small, professional format makes it easy to distribute and store while delivering information efficiently.

Pros:

• Compact and convenient for direct mail campaigns and in-office displays
• Cost-effective for bulk printing and high-volume orders 
• Easy to distribute and store

Cons:

• Limited space for visuals or complex designs 
• Not great for visual presence 
• Too big for business cards

A6

A6 is the smallest of the options and it’s usually used for postcards, invitations, and small flyers. 

Pros:

• Cost-effective for bulk buying 
• Portable and easy to distribute 
• Effective for concise messages or designs 

Cons:

• Limited space
• Not very attention-grabbing 

A5  

A5 print sizes are usually used for flyers and leaflets. They’re slightly larger than A6 posters, but they are still commonly used for smaller and more concise promotional materials. 

Pros:

• Easy to distribute because of size 
• Cost-effective to buy in bulk 
• Ideal for handouts or greetings cards

Cons:

• Small in size, small in impact 
• Won’t stand out in crowded spaces 

A4

A4 is the most common size as it reflects a standard piece of paper. You’ll usually see it for informational sheets, small posters, and sign boards for shops.

Pros:

• Good balance between space and portability 
• Affordable and easy to print in large quantities
• Ideal for compact designs

Cons:

• Limited design space
• Might struggle to stand out 

A3

A3 posters are bigger in a print size guide, but aren’t overpowering or overwhelming. You’ll often see A3 posters for shop front signage, at events or for advertising purposes. 

Pros:

• More space to allow for creativity 
• Works well on a notice board to grab attention or for wayfinding signage
• Mid-range visibility 

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive when bulk-buying 
• Not large enough to stand out in crowded spaces 

A2

A2 posters do a great job of catching people’s attention as they allow space for creativity and eye-catching features. 

Pros: 

• Great for maximum visibility for innovative designs
• Ideal for larger displays 
• Room for creativity 

Cons:

• More expensive to print 
• Not portable or easy to distribute

A1 

If you need to make a statement, an A1 poster is the way to go. These posters are large and are commonly used for event signage or large displays. 

Pros:

• Large-scale to make an impact 
• Ideal for exhibitions or outdoor signage
• Attention-grabbing in busy areas

Cons:

• High printing costs 
• Needs a significant amount of wall space

A0 

A0 is the largest standard size, making it a great option for event backdrops or billboards. Do you want to make the maximum impact with your signage? Opt for an A0 print size. 

Pros:

• Large space for displaying information and allowing creativity 
• Maximum visibility
• Impactful promotion

Cons:

• Costly printing 
• Substantial space is necessary 

With this breakdown, you should have a better idea of the right size printing to opt for. Essentially, it all comes down to your specific project and what your goals are. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Print Size

When it comes to choosing the right print size for your project, you need to consider the purpose, the design, and the audience. 

To help you make the right decision, consider:

The Poster’s Purpose

The purpose of a poster or banner can help you determine which size is the right one for you. Ask yourself, “What is the goal of my poster?” If the goal is to stand out and attract attention, an A0 or A1 poster is a good option. With their larger size, there’s more room for you to use bold colours and strong, eye-catching designs. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking to promote your business through business cards or promotional materials, an A6 or A5 flyer is the better choice. You can buy the smaller ones in bulk, which is more cost-effective. 

The Design and Viewing Distance

You need to consider the design and viewing distance, as this can impact your choice of print size. Think how close your audience will be to your poster and use this to guide your decision. This is especially important if you’re considering one of the larger sizes, as you’ll need materials and colours that people can see from a distance. 

Content Layout 

The poster print size you opt for will have a direct impact on the content layout and amount. The smaller the design, the less content you’ll be able to fit. However, depending on the purpose of the poster, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You might want to purely attract attention and, if so, not much content will be necessary. 

How Print Size Impacts Design

It wouldn’t be a print size guide without discussing the design aspect of it. When it comes to design, print size can have a large impact. 

Here’s how different sizes can affect design elements:

Text Readability 

Size plays a large role when it comes to print. The smaller the size, the smaller the text will be. A1, A0, and A2 posters give you room to have large text that dominates the space. A4 posters and A3 signs give you less space but still allow for some creativity to flow. If you decide on smaller sizes, it’s important that your content is as concise as possible. 

The smaller size will limit the amount of space you have. Therefore a more simple and clear style is necessary. Opting for smaller print sizes will require a dedicated approach to being as minimalistic as possible. However, that’s not to say it can’t be eye-catching and attention-grabbing. 

Image Resolution 

If you’re using a print size chart, keeping the image resolution outcome in mind is necessary. High-quality images give off a professional and sleek look, which most businesses often strive for. Choosing an A0, A1, and A2 poster size will require a high-resolution image, and lower ones will appear pixelated and blurry. 

Consider DPI (dots per image) to get the best outcome possible, no matter what size you choose. Opt for at least 150-300 DPI for A2 signs and bigger, and 300 DPI for smaller prints, like A5 and A4 posters. By doing this, you’ll keep your images looking clear and crisp at all times. If people are passing by your poster, this will benefit your brand perception. 

Design Balance

Poster print sizes can impact the design thought process. Imagine seeing A2 or A3 signs that are sparse and full of space; it just doesn’t look right. Alternatively, seeing A5 or A4 print full of large logos and text looks cluttered and chaotic. Design balance is important, and careful consideration is required for each size available. 

With larger poster sizes, you have room for creative decisions like overlapping images or typography. Usually, you can experiment without the risk of it looking too cluttered. However, the smaller sizes of a print size guide require a more strategic approach, as they need to be more streamlined and thought-out. The best way to avoid the chaotic look is to create a focal point and limit the amount of elements filling up the space. 

The Print Size Guide in Action: Industry-Specific Uses 

In our print size guide, we’ve looked at the pros and cons of specific print sizes and design aspects to keep in mind. But what about some real-world examples? The fact of the matter is that certain sizes work well for certain industries and circumstances.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all all type of situation. Instead, it all comes down to the specific use case. 

Here are some use examples:

The Retail Industry 

In the world of retail, there are always sales or promotions to shout about. 

Shoppers love a bargain! 

Due to this, A2 signs, and A1 and A0 poster print sizes are popular choices as they can display discounts and capture attention in places of high foot traffic. Opting for a large, eye-catching design can go a long way and attract people to a shop. 

Furthermore, you’ll often notice a lot of A3 posters and signs surrounding a shop. You’ll generally see product prices or smaller displays plastered onto A3 signs, as they’re less overwhelming but still big enough to provide all the necessary important details. In-store navigation is a common usage for A3, and it’s just a big enough size to make an impact. 

Events 

Events are very common places where people use signage heavily. Generally, people and businesses use events to raise awareness and grab attention. Because of this, A2 signs and banners are a very popular choice. They’re not too big and overwhelming for people walking past, but they do allow for creativity and well-thought-out design choices. 

Whether you want to guide foot traffic or use the poster as a promotional tool for your business, A2 is great as people can see it from a distance. A3 posters can have a similar impact and present key messages for people to see as they walk past. Their size effectively strikes a balance between visibility and portability, which is perfect for marketing events as you can temporarily remove or present them. 

Office Spaces 

In offices, it’s more common for A4 print to take priority over larger sizes. Generally, offices aim to look sleek and sophisticated, and the lack of overpowering signs can help with this. A4 print is big enough for essential communication, like the number of office rooms or displaying announcements. 

In some instances, you might need to hand out or display posters around an office to spread important information. A4 size is ideal in this instance, as you can print it in bulk and distribute it. If there are any more significant messages or displays you need to raise awareness around, A3 signs will do an effective job of drawing attention. 

The Healthcare Industry 

In healthcare settings accessibility and clarity are highly necessary. Therefore, A1 posters are often the go-to choice for waiting rooms or health campaigns. Visibility is important for signs like this, so a large print size is a good option. 

However, the healthcare industry is often responsible for handing out flyers and leaflets with crucial information on them. These are generally in an A6 or A5 print size, making them easy for people to handle and store, as well as be created in bulk. Furthermore, certain departments might use A3 posters to capture attention and ensure visibility. 

Hospitality and Restaurants 

Similarly to the retail industry, hospitality is another sector that’s constantly looking to promote new dishes or deals. A2 size eye-catching posters work well for menu boards in cafes and restaurants, as they have a size that allows for excellent visibility. 

A4 poster and A5 print sizes are commonly used for menus, as they’re easy to handle and offer great compactness and readability. You can get a lot of information onto them at this size, as they’re subtle and won’t overwhelm unless they’re jam-packed!  

The Complete Print Size Guide: Choosing the Right Dimensions

Whatever message you want to convey, the different poster print sizes can do this effectively. 

Whether you want a bold and vibrant shop front poster or a compact and concise leaflet with vital information, knowing the right size can work wonders. Using a print size guide can transform your marketing and advertising efforts, and get you the results you’re striving for. 

From A3 posters to A0 billboards, A5 flyers, and A4 advertisements and more, knowing the right size to use in specific contexts is vital. In this print size guide, we’ve explored the pros and cons of each size. We’ve looked at the contextual examples of the varying sizes, and the impact each one can have. 

At Fantasy Prints, we have in-depth knowledge of all the print sizes and the best use cases for each one. Whatever your project, we offer and deliver high-quality printing services. Whether you’re seeking an A1 large format eye-catching poster, or a concise and engaging A5 flyer, you can count on us for exceptional quality at all times. 

Now you’ve read our in-depth print size guide, explore our collection. If you’re seeking more information, don’t hesitate to contact us today.