Whether you’re promoting an event around town, directing customers through your space or spreading the word about something special, posters can get your message across. Posters are a classic marketing tool for a reason – they can turn any wall, window or blank space into an opportunity to get noticed. Creating a visually striking poster design and using the right paper type can make all the difference. But it all starts with choosing the right poster size. So, let’s break down all the different poster dimensions out there to help you find the best fit for your business.
What are the common poster sizes in Australia?
The normal poster dimensions used in Australia generally fall between A0 and A3 – with the A0 poster size being the largest. The A1 poster size is the most popular in Australia because of its dimensions (59.4 x 84.1 cm), perfect for getting noticed in busy, outdoor spaces. A2 poster sizes and A3 poster sizes are a little smaller, so they’re more frequently used for in store promotions and displays.
Check out our table below for a full breakdown of standard poster sizes in cm and inches:
| Size | Poster size in mm | Poster size in cm | Poster size in inches |
| A0 | 841 x 1189 mm | 84.1 x 118.9 cm | 33.1 x 46.8 inches |
| A1 | 594 x 841 mm | 59.4 x 84.1 cm | 23.4 x 33.1 inches |
| A2 | 420 x 594 mm | 42 x 59.4 cm | 16.5 x 23.4 inches |
| A3 | 297 x 420 mm | 29.7 x 42 cm | 11.7 x 16.5 inches |
| A4 | 210 x 297 mm | 21 x 29.7 cm | 8.3 x 11.7 inches |
| A5 | 148.5 x 210 mm | 14.85 x 210 cm | 5.8 x 8.3 inches |
| A6 | 105 x 148.5 mm | 10.5 x 14.85 cm | 4.1 x 5.8 inches |
| A7 | 74 x 105 mm | 7.4 x 10.5 cm | 2.9 x 4.1 inches |
| A8 | 52 x 74 mm | 5.2 x 7.4 cm | 2.0 x 2.9 inches |
| A9 | 37 x 52 mm | 3.7 x 5.2 cm | 1.5 x 2.0 inches |
| A10 | 26 x 37 mm | 2.6 x 3.7 cm | 1.0 x 1.5 inches |
Not quite sure which poster size to pick? We’re here to make life easier. Let’s talk about which size works best for you, according to their recommended uses and ideal placements.
Go big and get noticed: A0 and A1 poster sizes
If you want to grab attention from afar, A1 or A0 poster sizes are the way to go. With plenty of space for eye-catching visuals, large poster printing is commonly used to promote major offerings, like big sales, limited events and other key information. They’re a popular choice for exhibitions, outdoor areas, events and concerts. The extra space also makes them great for informative content, like educational posters, guides and more – but remember, some universities and academic institutions have specific guidelines on poster size. For reference, these large posters are about the size of a modern movie poster.
Fun fact: Historically, the standard movie poster size in Australia was about 33.0 x 76.2 cm, also known as a Daybill Poster, which you might still find in antique or retro stores or cinemas. Today, you’re more likely to see a standard movie poster size of 68 x 100 cm and 101.6 x 205.7 cm, known respectively as One Sheet and Three Sheet posters.
An attention-grabbing alternative: A2 poster size
Want extra visibility, without breaking the bank? A2 posters are big enough to get you noticed, but are generally more cost-effective and require less space than its larger counterparts. A2 posters are typically used to promote events, as they offer enough room for important info like locations and prices and visually striking imagery and artwork. A2 poster sizes are commonly used in retail stores, schools or public spaces like waiting areas and bus stops. They’re also a good choice for promotional displays, event announcements and informative content.
Share your message, minimise distractions: A3 poster size
For slightly larger indoor settings like your bar, café or restaurant, you’ll want a poster that can turn heads without affecting the aesthetic you’re going for – and an A3 poster size can do just that. Commonly placed on doors and windows, A3 posters can get your message across, without taking up too much space or being distracting. They’re a great option for promoting specials, featured items or providing directional signage.
When should you use small poster sizes?
We’ve covered the crowd favourites, but what about the more underrated sizes of the bunch? Among smaller posters, you might be most familiar with A4 posters, which are as big as a classic sheet of paper. While they’re a lot more compact than the popular sizes, they’re a great option for street marketing, offices or in small stores and spaces.
Smaller poster sizes ranging from A5 to A10 are best used indoors, or in spaces where customers would see them up close. Think store countertops, office hallways, community boards and more. And because you’ll have less space to work with, small posters are more commonly used for targeted messaging, like announcing new products or services.
Now that you have a better idea of which poster size suits your needs, you can focus on creating a design that’ll maximise your visibility.
Design guidelines
We’ve got thousands of templates you can pick from to create your poster – thanks to our amazing designers. But you can upload your own design, too; it’s as simple as selecting an image or file on your computer! When you do upload your own design, it’s important to keep some guidelines in mind to guarantee the best print possible.
Bleed Area: 598 x 424 mm
If you’ve got a background colour or pattern, make sure it extends a bit beyond the actual size of the poster. That way, you’ll never end up with white borders, even if the cards are cut slightly off centre.
Trim Size: 594 x 420 mm
Just like the name says, this is where we cut your poster. We do our absolute best to make sure your poster is centred and uniform, but be sure to check the safe printing area when completing your design.
Safe Printing Area: 590 x 416 mm
Make sure you have any important text or design elements within this area, which isn’t much smaller than the actual size of the poster. To guarantee nothing gets cut off, keep everything inside this box.
Note: These measurements are for our standard poster size (A2). Our other options, have similar bleed and safe printing areas in relation to their actual size. You can always check the details on our poster product page.
