What should I pay attention to when ordering a poster?

When you order a poster, you have two make two decisions: the size and the paper type. The right decision is made based on the distance at which people will see the poster and the location where you will hang up your poster: outside, inside or maybe behind glass. In this blog you will read about different poster sizes and suitable paper types.

Which poster size should I choose?

The poster might be the printing product with the largest difference between the smallest and largest size. Think of the difference in size between a small poster that hangs above the urinal in the pub and the huge posters you find outside to promote festivals. The choice of the right poster size depends on where the poster is presented and the distance from which your poster is viewed.

When do I choose a small poster?

The man at the urinal stands only 40 centimetres away from your poster, so a small A4-size poster is sufficient. These sizes are often ordered as the product type 'flyer', as of course you can also use a flyer as a poster!

Medium size and the use of large poster sizes

The A3 size (297x420 mm) is normally the smallest poster size. This is the same size as two landscape sheets of A4 paper on top of each other. A3 is followed by the sizes A2, A1, and A0. These posters are generally used for indoor advertisements behind glass, such as in shop windows and showrooms. Then there are two other large sizes: B1 and B0. These B-sizes are often used for advertisements that should stand out to passers-by: hikers, cyclers and motorists on local roads. The largest poster size is often referred to as 'Abri'. This type of poster is found in waiting areas such as bus stops, and has a width of 1185 mm and a height of 1750 mm.

What paper type do I choose for printing my poster?

In general, posters are printed on slightly heavier paper, as this is more sturdy. But there are exceptions. For example, if you want to print a blueprint in a poster size you can choose 80-grams paper as this is writeable and easy to roll up or fold.

What paperweight is necessary for a poster?

When it comes to poster paper, it varies between approximately 150 and 350 grams. Do you want to hang up your poster using adhesive tape? Then consider that a large poster on thicker paper might become too heavy for the tape. It would be a waste if your advertisement falls off after a few hours!

TIP: Check our poster hangers to present your prints in a professional manner!

Another factor to consider is the place where you hang the poster: when you place the poster behind a window, the light shining on it can cause the text on the paper to become harder to read. A thicker paper type prevents this from happening.

Paper types for posters

Does your poster include a beautiful, large photo? Then it is sometimes nice to choose glossy paper. Will you hang up the poster behind glass in a shop window, or in a frame behind glass? Then a matt paper type might be a better choice, as the glass already has a glossy effect. If the poster will be in a place with a lot of (sun)light then a matt finish is also the better choice. Are you curious about the paper types and prefer to see them before ordering? Then you can order a sample book with all our paper types! You can pick this up for free at our location in Amsterdam, or we can send it to you for only the postage costs.