Common Posters and Their Sizes in CM and Pixels
Common Poster Sizes in CM and Pixels
When it comes to poster printing, understanding poster sizes in CM and pixels is essential. Whether you’re creating marketing materials, artwork, or personal prints, the correct poster dimensions help ensure your design looks sharp and fits perfectly into frames. With GD Print’s 40+ years of experience, we have compiled this guide to explore the most common poster sizes used in the UK, covering everything from A0 posters to A4 prints and A3 prints.
Why Poster Sizes Matter
Choosing the right poster size isn’t just about aesthetics. It affects:
• Print quality and resolution (measured in pixels).
• The type of poster frames available, such as A1 poster frames, A2 poster frames or A3 poster frame size options.
• How your poster fits into display spaces like billboards, shop windows, or exhibitions.
• Product and brand visibility.
• Event advertising and impact.
From posters or prints used in advertising campaigns to art posters and prints for home décor, knowing the most common sizes ensures professional results.
Why do we measure in Pixels?
Pixels are a common measurement used by online editing and creating tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Pixels, according to Adobe, is the resolution of a digital image measured using its pixels; specifically in pixels per inch (PPI). [Adobe] Pixels are used as a measurement because it gives accurate and consistent control when resizing an image across all screens, working seamlessly with DPI when printing, giving you the most approximate printing possible.
What is DPI and why is it important?
DPI (dots per inch) is what pixels are to a screen, the amount of droplets of ink used in a print, the higher the DPI the higher quality the print. You may assume that files should be the highest DPI possible, but printers usually use around 300 DPI for print, but why is this?
300 DPI is the perfect size for small to moderate prints as it provides the perfect balance between visual clarity and file size on your computer, as a larger DPI can drastically increase file sizes. Additionally, according to Jeff Stein from Real Thread, 300 DPI is scientifically the perfect DPI as resolution is based on the human eye's limitations, which can generally, only distinguish individual ink dots up to a certain point. [Jeff Stein, Real Thread] However, some times 600 DPI and higher is necessary for niche cases such as large-format prints like billboards or exhibitions prints, where quality and detail is crucial, or is designed to be viewed up close.
DPI however is not a saviour, simply making your document 300 or 600 DPI does not ensure that the final print product will be high quality. Working in applications like Adobe Illustrator, using vector formats and importing in high quality images are only some of the steps you need to take to ensure your design is print ready. To find out more about how to design your artwork to be print ready based on GD Print's 40+ years of experience, discover our article here.
Common Poster Sizes in the UK
A0 Poster Size
• CM: 84.1 × 118.9 cm
• Pixels (at 300dpi): 9933 × 14043
• Best for: Large-format advertising, exhibitions, and large prints for maximum impact.
A1 Poster Size
• CM: 59.4 × 84.1 cm
• Pixels (at 300dpi): 7016 × 9933
• Use cases: A1 posters are a popular choice for retail displays, events, and promotional campaigns. Many businesses opt for A1 poster printing to get high-quality A1 prints.
• Frames: Pair with an A1 poster frame for a polished look on your A1 printing.
A2 Poster Size
• CM: 42 × 59.4 cm
• Pixels (at 300dpi): 4960 × 7016
• Use cases: A2 printing is a common option for indoor displays and advertising small to medium scale events.
• Frames: Works perfectly with an A2 poster frame.
A3 Poster Size
• CM: 29.7 × 42 cm
• Pixels (at 300dpi): 3508 × 4960
• Use cases: Great for smaller adverts, A3 posters, menus, or promotions. Many choose A3 printing or look for affordable A3 prints.
• Frames: Fits into A3 poster frames or A3 poster frame size options.
A4 Poster Printing
• CM: 21 × 29.7 cm
• Pixels (at 300dpi): 2480 × 3508
• Use cases: Often used for flyers, notices, A4 printed artwork, or small A4 poster printing for events. Customers also look for A4 printing and A4 print services for convenience.
A5 Printing
Although not as common as larger posters, A5 printing is great for compact promotional material, flyers, or handouts. They complement larger posters and are widely used alongside A4 prints or A3 poster printing.
Poster Sizes Conversion Chart
Poster Size | Dimensions (CM) | Dimensions (Pixels at 300dpi) | Common Uses |
A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 9933 x 14043 | Billboards, exhibitions |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 7016 x 9933 | Retail, events, advertising |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 4960 x 7016 | Posters for shops, schools |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 3508 x 4960 | Menus, promotions |
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 2480 x 3508 | Flyers, small poster prints |
This chart highlights the most common poster sizes in both CM and pixels.
Custom Poster Sizes
Not every design fits the standard A-series. That’s where custom posters come in. Businesses can request custom poster printing to create unique poster prints tailored to their needs. From oversized large prints to smaller A4 printed posters, GD Print offers a wide range of solutions. Learn more about whether your posters fit standard sizing here.
Poster Printing Near Me in the UK
Searching for poster printing near me? GD Print provides fast delivery across the UK, including New Milton, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Dorset. Whether you want A1 poster printing, A2 poster printing, A3 poster printing, A4 poster printing, or bespoke custom posters, we ensure sharp, high-quality results every time.
Final Thoughts on Poster Measurements
From A0 poster dimensions to A4 printing, knowing your poster lengths ensures professional results. Whether you’re printing UK posters for events, exhibitions, or promotions, choosing the right poster sizes in CM and pixels makes all the difference.
Looking to print posters professionally? Explore GD Print’s full range of poster prints UK services today.
FAQ: Common Poster Sizes in CM and Pixels
Q1: What are the most common poster sizes in the UK?
The most common poster sizes in the UK follow the ISO A-series format: A0, A1, A2, A3, and A4. Each size halves as you move down the series, with A0 being the largest and A4 the smallest.
Q2: What is the size of an A1 poster in CM and pixels?
An A1 poster size is 59.4 × 84.1 cm. In pixels, this is approximately 7016 × 9933 px at 300 dpi, which is ideal for high-quality poster printing.
Q3: What are A2 poster dimensions?
An A2 poster measures 42 × 59.4 cm (420 × 594 mm). In pixels, this is around 4961 × 7016 px at 300 dpi.
Q4: What size is an A0 poster?
An A0 poster is the largest in the A-series, measuring 84.1 × 118.9 cm. At 300 dpi for professional printing, this is about 9933 × 14043 px.
Q5: What size is an A3 poster in CM and pixels?
An A3 poster measures 29.7 × 42 cm, which translates to roughly 3508 × 4961 px at 300 dpi. A3 is often used for indoor displays and poster frames.
Q6: Which poster size is best for outdoor advertising?
For maximum visibility outdoors, larger formats like A0 and A1 posters are the most effective. Smaller sizes such as A2 or A3 are better for indoor displays or smaller poster frames.
Q7: Can I order custom poster sizes in the UK?
Yes, at GD Print you can order custom posters tailored to your specific dimensions. This allows you to create poster prints that perfectly fit unique frames, marketing campaigns, or display areas.
Q8: Where can I get poster printing near me?
If you’re searching for poster printing near me in the UK, GD Print offers nationwide delivery with high-quality poster printing in all common sizes, plus custom options.
Bringing 40+ years of print expertise to businesses across the UK. GD Print is a professional print company based in New Milton, serving customers across Bournemouth, Southampton, and the UK. We specialise in custom vinyl stickers, wall decals, and eco-conscious printing solutions.
