THE COMPLETE POSTER & FLYER SIZE GUIDE FOR DESIGN AND PRINT

BY Benjamin

June 13, 2022

poster and flyer design sizes
 
 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, knowing how to design and print posters and flyers is essential for marketing strategies.

Posters are one of the classic forms of visual marketing that have been around the block for ages. When it comes to visual communication, a good poster will grab the attention of your target audience and garner the desired response.

The key to a quality visual is the purpose and creativity behind it. An effective marketing strategy utilises visual aid to display the brand’s campaign objective creatively, leaving the message up for interpretation.

If you don’t choose the right size for your brand’s poster, your message might not reach your desired audience owing to lesser viewership. The right size will get all the work done with clarity and intention.

At 55knots, we continue to stay abreast with the latest poster and flyer design sizes and deploy a team of design experts skilled at running digital campaigns for brand growth.

 
 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, knowing how to design and print posters and flyers is essential for marketing strategies.

Posters are one of the classic forms of visual marketing that have been around the block for ages. When it comes to visual communication, a good poster will grab the attention of your target audience and garner the desired response.

The key to a quality visual is the purpose and creativity behind it. An effective marketing strategy utilises visual aid to display the brand’s campaign objective creatively, leaving the message up for interpretation.

If you don’t choose the right size for your brand’s poster, your message might not reach your desired audience owing to lesser viewership. The right size will get all the work done with clarity and intention.

At 55knots, we continue to stay abreast with the latest poster and flyer design sizes and deploy a team of design experts skilled at running digital campaigns for brand growth.

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, knowing how to design and print posters and flyers is essential for marketing strategies.

Posters are one of the classic forms of visual marketing that have been around the block for ages. When it comes to visual communication, a good poster will grab the attention of your target audience and garner the desired response.

The key to a quality visual is the purpose and creativity behind it. An effective marketing strategy utilises visual aid to display the brand’s campaign objective creatively, leaving the message up for interpretation.

If you don’t choose the right size for your brand’s poster, your message might not reach your desired audience owing to lesser viewership. The right size will get all the work done with clarity and intention.

At 55knots, we continue to stay abreast with the latest poster and flyer design sizes and deploy a team of design experts skilled at running digital campaigns for brand growth.

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, knowing how to design and print posters and flyers is essential for marketing strategies.

Posters are one of the classic forms of visual marketing that have been around the block for ages. When it comes to visual communication, a good poster will grab the attention of your target audience and garner the desired response.

The key to a quality visual is the purpose and creativity behind it. An effective marketing strategy utilises visual aid to display the brand’s campaign objective creatively, leaving the message up for interpretation.

If you don’t choose the right size for your brand’s poster, your message might not reach your desired audience owing to lesser viewership. The right size will get all the work done with clarity and intention.

At 55knots, we continue to stay abreast with the latest poster and flyer design sizes and deploy a team of design experts skilled at running digital campaigns for brand growth.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, knowing how to design and print posters and flyers is essential for marketing strategies.

Posters are one of the classic forms of visual marketing that have been around the block for ages. When it comes to visual communication, a good poster will grab the attention of your target audience and garner the desired response.

The key to a quality visual is the purpose and creativity behind it. An effective marketing strategy utilises visual aid to display the brand’s campaign objective creatively, leaving the message up for interpretation.

If you don’t choose the right size for your brand’s poster, your message might not reach your desired audience owing to lesser viewership. The right size will get all the work done with clarity and intention.

At 55knots, we continue to stay abreast with the latest poster and flyer design sizes and deploy a team of design experts skilled at running digital campaigns for brand growth.

 

Poster Size Series

Poster Size Series
Poster Size Series

Poster Size Series

All the information about poster sizes on the internet can get overwhelming. But with a helpful guide, you can find what you’re looking for without sifting through tons of data.

To understand poster sizes, let’s start with the poster size series. Most of us are familiar with the A3, A4, and A5 sizes used for paper. Poster sizes follow the same trend. Based on your resolution, you can choose your poster size. 

Posters come in A and B series, and depending on the purpose of your campaign or project, you can choose the size accordingly. 

Remember, the dimensions of posters are decided as per the ISO 216 or the International Standard of Paper.

 

  • A series
  • A series
  • A series

    A series
    A series

    A series

    Great for promotional marketing of any kind. Coming in sizes A10 through A0, the A-series is widely used and easy to work with, thanks to their incredible versatility.

    A series of poster sizes include:

    1. A4: One of the standard sizes of posters and papers used across the globe. The compact size lets you set a crisp and clear message without unnecessary noise.

    1. A4:

    2. A3: Slightly larger in size and perfect for display windows, A3 sizes fit the mould if you want your message displayed in a store or restaurant.

    2. A3:

    3. A2: If you’re planning an event or concert, then A2-sized posters are the right choice. With the ample space provided for you to work with, you can not only up the ante but splash enticing colour tones and provide a richer, more visual thematic experience.

    3. A2:

    4. A1: When you want to display art or look forward to promoting an exhibition, the A1 size is a great choice. Even better, you can display big, bold letters to emphasise your message.

    4. A1:

    5. A0: Perfect for museums and art exhibitions, with A0-sized posters, there’s just an extravagant amount of space to play around with. You can feature artist portraits or keep the optics subtle – there are no limitations.

    5. A0:

    6. 2A0: Commonly used on billboards, significant events, and in academic and conference marketing material, 2A0 sizes have a lot of room to fit in all the relevant information you want to display. Keep in mind that their print quality can be lower because of the material’s texture.

    6. 2A0

     

    • B Series
  • B Series
  • B Series

    B Series
    B Series

    B Series

    Let’s look at the B series poster sizes:

    1. B2: Ideal for product reveals, B2 posters take product launches to the next level. Create a grand event promotion poster in B2, and don’t hold back on being extra.

    1. B2:

    2. B1: Iconic ads live forever through their creativity. You can achieve that by making an eye-catching advertisement with B1 posters and showcasing your creativity to your heart’s content. 

    2. B1:

    3. B0: Why pass on the opportunity to put your ideas out there? With B0, you have all the space and more to create and design your objective with more freedom.

    3. B0:

     

    Standard Poster Size Guide

    Standard Poster Size Guide
    Standard Poster Size Guide

    Standard Poster Size Guide

    Numerous industries use standard poster sizes for multiple purposes. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to posters. Choosing the right size and form for your posters is a safe way to begin your campaign marketing. Apart from proficiently navigating your message across, planning also lets you save up on finances lost because of posters with wrong dimensions.

    What is the standard poster size, you might ask? Simply put, there is no standard poster size. Your poster aims to be visible and relatable to your audience. To attain that, think of the intent behind your poster. Is it an invitation, a campaign or a concert? Once you understand the intent, you can determine the exposure required.

    For instance, concert or campaign posters must be massive to be visible from a distance. In contrast, wedding or birthday invitations can be smaller as they are sent out to a small group of people instead of grabbing the attention of a larger audience.

    Poster size guides are a gist of the poster size series. It provides dimensions to make a concrete sense of what you are working with or what you might need for your project.

    With this, let’s explore some standard poster formats that have been behind many successful campaigns and projects.

     

    Smallest Poster Size, Legal-Size, (8.5 x 11 in, 215.9 x 279.4 mm)

    Smallest Poster Size, Legal-Size, (8.5 x 11 in, 215.9 x 279.4 mm)
    Smallest Poster Size, Legal-Size, (8.5 x 11 in, 215.9 x 279.4 mm)

    where to buy
    Smallest Poster Size, Legal-Size, (8.5 x 11 in, 215.9 x 279.4 mm)

    “A4” or “poster flyer” posters are the smallest in size and can be used as flyers in different settings. Usually designed for smaller spaces, A4 posters are fit as indoor promotional materials. Whether in a hallway or any concealed establishment, chances are you will gather views.

    Poster/picture Resolution: 2550 x 3300 px
    Used For: A4 posters are suitable for sharing clear-cut information in small spaces such as bulletin/community boards, classrooms, office spaces, information desks, street posts and advertisements, announcements and schedules.

    Poster/picture Resolution: 

    Used For: 

     

    Small Poster Size

    Small Poster Size
    Small Poster Size

    Small Poster Size

    Since small poster sizes are split into four categories, marketers are brand owners can choose a sizing most appropriate to their campaign’s goals.

    • Ledger-Size (11 x 17 in, 279 x 432 mm): Ledger-size posters can get your message across concisely without taking up much space and costing a fortune. Ideal for indoor displays, they are planted in waiting rooms or lounging areas.
  • Ledger-Size (11 x 17 in, 279 x 432 mm): Ledger-size posters can get your message across concisely without taking up much space and costing a fortune. Ideal for indoor displays, they are planted in waiting rooms or lounging areas.
  • Ledger-Size (11 x 17 in, 279 x 432 mm):

    • Poster/picture Resolution: 3300 x 5100 px.
  • Poster/picture Resolution: 3300 x 5100 px.
  • Poster/picture Resolution: 

    • Mini Posters (12 x 18 in, 304.8 x 457.2 mm): Mini-posters may be small but adequate for retail and in-store poster marketing. Above this, they’re also used for designing and printing calendars and other decorative projects.
  • Mini Posters (12 x 18 in, 304.8 x 457.2 mm): Mini-posters may be small but adequate for retail and in-store poster marketing. Above this, they’re also used for designing and printing calendars and other decorative projects.
  • Mini Posters (12 x 18 in, 304.8 x 457.2 mm):

    • Half Sheet Posters (16 x 20 in, 406.4 x 508 mm): Half sheet posters are ideal for households or if you want to display artwork in your store. Often used by companies to showcase their logo to garner attention, half-sheet posters are attention-grabbing when the design and text placement is in sync.
  • Half Sheet Posters (16 x 20 in, 406.4 x 508 mm): Half sheet posters are ideal for households or if you want to display artwork in your store. Often used by companies to showcase their logo to garner attention, half-sheet posters are attention-grabbing when the design and text placement is in sync.
  • Half Sheet Posters (16 x 20 in, 406.4 x 508 mm):

     

    Medium Poster Size (18 x 24 in, 457.2 x 609.6 mm)

    Medium Poster Size (18 x 24 in, 457.2 x 609.6 mm)
    Medium Poster Size (18 x 24 in, 457.2 x 609.6 mm)

    Medium Poster Size (18 x 24 in, 457.2 x 609.6 mm)

    Also known as Architectural C size, medium poster sizes can be displayed inside or outside. They are large enough to fit the necessary information and small enough so that you don’t find the need to bombard your poster with details.

    When it comes to displaying, medium-sized posters have many options you can choose from. They also come in sizes 19 x 27 in, 22 x 28 in, 20 x 30 in, and 22 x 34 in and can be used in retail posters that have done the phenomenal job of sparking an interest in viewers for ages.

    Poster/picture Resolution: 2250 x 3000 px
    Used For: Displaying information in clinics, doctor’s offices, common rooms and menus.

    Poster/picture Resolution: 

    Used For: 

     

    Large (24 x 36 in, 609.6 x 914.4 mm)

    Large (24 x 36 in, 609.6 x 914.4 mm)
    Large (24 x 36 in, 609.6 x 914.4 mm)

    Large (24 x 36 in, 609.6 x 914.4 mm)

    Large posters or Architectural D sizes are great for generating easy traffic through crowded places, such as bus stops or metro stations, where people can consume the information at a glance.

    Being large, they can be on the expensive end of the spectrum. But on the bright side, with the ample space provided, there is a lot of freedom to be creative and stand out amongst competitors. 

    Poster/picture Resolution: 5400 x 3600 px
    Used For: Bus stands, event promotion at malls, theatres, sales, public awareness campaigns, conventions and exhibitions.

    Poster/picture Resolution: 

    Used For: 
    Bonus Read: 

     

    Movie Poster Size Guide

    Movie Poster Size Guide
    Movie Poster Size Guide

    Movie Poster Size Guide

    Posters are heavily used in movie promotions and advertisements. A good movie poster creates an appeal with attention-grabbing imagery and creative use of iconography. The intent behind the movie poster size guide lies in where it’s being displayed. 

    Big spaces require big posters to be seen from a distance, whereas small posters are suitable for small areas where consumers have a closer vantage point.

    Typically, a one-sheet poster size is the industry standard due to its popularity. But we’ve listed some frequently used movie poster sizes:

    Lobby Card (11 x 14 in, 279.4 x 355.6 mm)

    Lobby Card (11 x 14 in, 279.4 x 355.6 mm)

    Before the first movie trailer made its debut, lobby card posters were all the jazz. Located in the lobbies of movie theatres, they aimed to showcase the central elements of the film and the stars through a set of freeze frames. 

    Available in sets of 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 cards, they were used in previewing the movies but have significantly declined in use over time.

    Daybill (26 x 30 in, 660.4 x 762 mm)

    One-of-a-kind, Daybill posters are renowned and much relied upon in the Australian film industry. With textured artwork and designs common among the Australian public, Daybill posters are highly sought after amongst collectors. 

    One Sheet (27 x 41 in, 685.8 x 1016 mm)

    One Sheet (27 x 41 in, 685.8 x 1016 mm)

    One of the most recognisable and collected poster sizes, one-sheet posters, are commonly used for official teasers and advertisements. Studios often printed different posters for one movie to display illustrations, artist portraits and featured scenes.

    One sheet movie posters are printed for huge billboards and other promotional activities, sometimes also aimed at introducing upcoming artists and film releases. Thus, they contain elements such as logos, artist photographs and cover art.

    Three Sheet (41 x 81 in, 1041.4 x 2057.4 mm)

    Three Sheet (41 x 81 in, 1041.4 x 2057.4 mm)

    Peaking between the early 70s through early 80s, three-sheet posters were thrice the size of a one-sheet poster. Displayed in lobbies and foyers of movie theatres, they came in two or three pieces with the artwork aligned across the pieces.

    Bonus Read: Examine a few essential design elements for premium branding and apply your learnings when briefing designers for your business’s posters and flyers.

    Bonus Read: 

     

    Typical Flyer Size Guide

    Typical Flyer Size Guide
    Typical Flyer Size Guide

    Typical Flyer Size Guide

    Flyers have ever since been a successful marketing tool for generating leads and promoting events. A staple in the advertisement industry, and despite the prevalence of digital marketing, companies continue to design and print flyers. 

    While printing flyers, choose designers who stay mindful of the bleeds, margins and folds. 

    • Bleed in printing are portions of paper/sheet that are trimmed post-printing 
    • Margin is the area inside which your print is situated.
    • Folds are regions where your flyers will fold.
  • Bleed in printing are portions of paper/sheet that are trimmed post-printing 
  • Margin is the area inside which your print is situated.
  • Folds are regions where your flyers will fold.
  • Noting that, let’s look at some typical flyer sizes:

    1. A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in, 210 x 297 mm): A4-sized flyers are known for their versatility, as they can switch between a flyer and poster (hence, the name poster-flyer). They are easy to carry and can include all the relevant information for your enterprise. 
  • A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in, 210 x 297 mm): A4-sized flyers are known for their versatility, as they can switch between a flyer and poster (hence, the name poster-flyer). They are easy to carry and can include all the relevant information for your enterprise. 
  • A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in, 210 x 297 mm): 

    Available in portrait and landscape orientations, A4 flyer sizes are easy to design, print and read.

    1. A5 (5.8 x 8.3 in, 148 x 210 mm): For small businesses looking to promote their business on a budget, A5 is a handy size that gets the job done for a limited space. Apart from business promotions, A5 flyers can be used as leaflets in offices or schools.
  • A5 (5.8 x 8.3 in, 148 x 210 mm): For small businesses looking to promote their business on a budget, A5 is a handy size that gets the job done for a limited space. Apart from business promotions, A5 flyers can be used as leaflets in offices or schools.
  • A5 (5.8 x 8.3 in, 148 x 210 mm): 

    1. A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in, 105 x 148 mm): Folding an A5 flyer in two halves is equivalent to an A6. You get the idea, the dimensions are smaller, but they’re great if you want to hand them out to a large number of prospects. Moreover, they are compact, which luckily forces you to print only the relevant material.
  • A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in, 105 x 148 mm): Folding an A5 flyer in two halves is equivalent to an A6. You get the idea, the dimensions are smaller, but they’re great if you want to hand them out to a large number of prospects. Moreover, they are compact, which luckily forces you to print only the relevant material.
  • A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in, 105 x 148 mm): 

    1. A7 (2.9 x 4.1 in, 74 x 105 mm): A7 flyers are a cost-effective way to attract an audience to your business. Their compact sizing makes them suitable for tickets, concert passes, offers and discounts.
  • A7 (2.9 x 4.1 in, 74 x 105 mm): A7 flyers are a cost-effective way to attract an audience to your business. Their compact sizing makes them suitable for tickets, concert passes, offers and discounts.
  • A7 (2.9 x 4.1 in, 74 x 105 mm): 

    1. Square (4.1 x 4.1 in, 105 x 105 mm): With square-sized flyers, designers have the opportunity to shower intricate aesthetics and execute unique designs despite little room for creativity. Modern designs with brief content can be displayed using a square flyer as it helps to create a special buzz about the brand.
  • Square (4.1 x 4.1 in, 105 x 105 mm): With square-sized flyers, designers have the opportunity to shower intricate aesthetics and execute unique designs despite little room for creativity. Modern designs with brief content can be displayed using a square flyer as it helps to create a special buzz about the brand.
  • Square (4.1 x 4.1 in, 105 x 105 mm): 

    DL (3.9 x 8.3 in, 99 x 210 mm): DL or dimension lengthwise are generally made to fit on an envelope. Being one-third of an A4 sheet, they are perfect for concise bite-sized information that can be mailed.

    DL (3.9 x 8.3 in, 99 x 210 mm): 
    Bonus Read: 

     

     
     

    Verdict

    Dimensions matter whether you design a movie poster or flyer for business promotion. When you choose the right frame concerning your campaign and the location, it can have a successful outcome.

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Captain of ships and commander to a crew of designers. Benjamin Williams is a creative director with over 20 years of experience working with the world’s largest brands.