Choosing a poster size comes down to one practical question: how far away will people be standing when they read it? Get that right and the rest, paper choice and design, is much easier to decide.
The standard sizes
- A3 (297 x 420mm) — suited to close viewing: a noticeboard, a shop counter, a small window display where someone stands within a metre or two.
- A2 (420 x 594mm) — a step up, still suited to indoor use at a moderate distance, such as a retail window or a corridor.
- A1 (594 x 841mm) — a common choice for events, presentations and larger retail displays, readable from several metres away.
- A0 (841 x 1189mm) — the largest standard size, used where a poster needs to be seen from across a room or further, such as an exhibition stand or a large shop window.
Match the design to the size, not just the size to the wall
A common mistake is choosing a size based on available wall space rather than reading distance, then cramming in the same amount of detail regardless of size. A poster meant to be read from a distance needs a bolder, simpler design with larger text; fine detail and small text are wasted at that distance and just make the poster look cluttered up close.
Paper choice affects more than looks
A semi-gloss finish gives punchier colour for an indoor display; a matte finish reduces glare under bright lighting. If a poster is likely to be touched, handled, or exposed to any damp, a non-tearable stock lasts considerably longer than standard paper.
Ordering the same design at multiple sizes
If you need the same poster for a shop window at A0 and a smaller in-store version at A3, tell us both sizes upfront. Not every design that works at full size still reads clearly once scaled down, and it's easier to check that before printing than after.
Browse our
poster printing options or
contact us with your size, quantity and where the poster will be displayed for practical advice.
Beyond A0: when you need something bigger
For displays larger than A0, such as a shopfront or exhibition backdrop, large format printing on a roll rather than a standard sheet size becomes the practical option, letting you print at a genuinely custom size rather than being limited to the A-series. This is common for banners and large signage rather than traditional "posters" as such.
Quantity and cost
Printing multiple posters of the same design brings the per-poster cost down significantly compared with a single print, so if you know you'll need posters for several locations or repeat use, ordering together is usually more cost-effective than reordering small batches as needed.
Framing and mounting
If your poster will be framed or mounted rather than simply pinned up, check the frame or mount size before ordering, a poster cut to a standard A-size won't always match a frame bought separately, and it's easier to confirm sizing before printing than to trim afterward.
