Paper Size Guide – Paper Sizes for Printed Products
Paper sizes for printed products – A4, A5, A6, A3 and poster sizes
The right paper size shapes how your printed product works, how it looks and how easy it is to distribute. This guide covers all the common sizes – from the A-series to special formats and envelopes – with practical recommendations for each.
⚡ Quick answer – which size for what?
- A4 (210 × 297 mm) – corporate brochures, documents, formal material
- A5 (148 × 210 mm) – popular brochure, price list, programme leaflet
- A6 (105 × 148 mm) – flyers, promo cards, hand-out marketing
- A3 (297 × 420 mm) – indoor posters, larger brochures
- A2–A0 – large-format posters and campaign material
- DL (99 × 210 mm) – flyers that fit into a standard envelope
Paper sizes compared visually
A-series paper sizes relate systematically to each other: fold an A4 in half and you get A5 – and so on.
How the A-series paper sizes work
In Finland and across Europe, paper sizes are defined by the ISO 216 standard. The A-series logic is simple and elegant:
- A0 is the starting size – surface area of exactly 1 m²
- Each following size is half of the previous one (A1 = half of A0, A2 = half of A1…)
- The aspect ratio stays the same – artwork can be scaled up or down without breaking the layout
- Pages fit neatly inside each other – two A4s make one A3, two A5s make one A4
💡 Good to know: A4 (210 × 297 mm) is the standard office printer size – the one you see every day.
Brochures, flyers and cards – A-series sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| A6 | 105 × 148 mm | Flyers, promo cards, invitations, hand-out marketing |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | Brochures, price lists, programmes, menus |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | Corporate brochures, documents, proposals |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | Large brochures, indoor posters, maps |
Size recommendations by use
Flyer size – small but effective
Ideal for campaign distribution, postbox marketing and hand-out promotions at events. Also works well as an invitation card.
105 × 148 mmThe most popular brochure size
The best balance between size and content. Fits in a handbag, looks high-quality and suits most brochure needs.
148 × 210 mmFormal corporate material
When there's a lot of content, or when the material represents a company in a formal context. Also works folded as a brochure.
210 × 297 mmHigher visibility
Larger brochures, wall-mounted posters, noticeboard announcements. Naturally more noticeable than A4.
297 × 420 mmPoster sizes – from A3 to A0
Choose the poster size based on viewing distance and the environment. The further away people need to see it, the bigger it should be.
| Size | Dimensions | Viewing distance | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 1–2 m | Noticeboards, corridors, indoor spaces |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 2–4 m | Retail spaces, events, campaigns |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 4–6 m | Shop windows, exhibition stands, main signage |
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 6+ m | Large campaigns, façades, exhibitions |
Business cards and special sizes
Not every printed product needs to be an A-series size. Special formats give a product its own character and can work better for certain use cases.
| Size | Dimensions | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 90 × 50 mm | Most common business card size in Finland |
| EU business card | 85 × 55 mm | International standard, fits into a wallet |
| DL | 99 × 210 mm | Flyers and invitations that fit into standard envelopes |
| Square | 210 × 210 mm | Modern brochures, invitations, special cards |
| Postcard | 105 × 148 mm (A6) | Direct mail, campaign mailings |
Envelopes – which envelope for which content?
Choosing the right envelope keeps mailings clean and avoids folding marks.
| Content | Matching envelope | Envelope dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| A4 unfolded | C4 | 229 × 324 mm |
| A4 folded in half | C5 | 162 × 229 mm |
| A4 folded in three (tri-fold) | DL | 110 × 220 mm |
| A5 unfolded | C5 | 162 × 229 mm |
| A6 card or flyer | C6 | 114 × 162 mm |
Paper thickness – what to choose?
Paper thickness is measured in grams per square metre (g/m² or GSM). It has a decisive effect on how the printed product feels in hand and how it holds up in use.
| Thickness | Feel | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100 g/m² | Thin, light | Office paper, forms, large print runs |
| 120–170 g/m² | Quality brochure paper | Flyers, brochures, campaign material |
| 200–250 g/m² | Sturdy, premium | Premium brochures, menus, folded cards |
| 300–400 g/m² | Card-like, firm | Business cards, postcards, invitations |
How to order a printed product in the right size
1. Choose the size
Use the tables on this page – or ask us if you're unsure. We're happy to help you decide.
2. Prepare the artwork correctly
Remember 3 mm bleed on every edge, 300 dpi resolution and embedded fonts in the PDF.
3. Order online
Choose the product, size and quantity. Send your print-ready PDF – we check every file personally.
📄 Read the full artwork guidelines – with software-specific tips for preparing print-ready PDFs.
Frequently asked questions about paper sizes
What's the most popular paper size for brochures?
The most common brochure sizes are A5 (148 × 210 mm) and A4 (210 × 297 mm). A5 is a practical hand-out brochure, while A4 suits content-heavy material or more formal use.
Which paper size is best for flyers?
A6 (105 × 148 mm) is the most common flyer size – cost-effective and easy to distribute. A5 works better when you need more room for offers or schedules. A DL-size flyer fits directly into a standard envelope.
What poster size works indoors?
A3 (297 × 420 mm) is a solid default choice for indoor posters. If the poster needs to be read from further away, A2 (420 × 594 mm) works better.
What's the most common business card size in Finland?
In Finland the standard business card is 90 × 50 mm. The international EU standard is 85 × 55 mm – it fits better into international wallets.
Which envelope fits an A4?
An unfolded A4 fits into a C4 envelope (229 × 324 mm). Folded in half, use a C5 (162 × 229 mm). Tri-folded, the right choice is a DL envelope (110 × 220 mm).
Can I order a printed product in a custom size?
Yes. Digital printing can handle custom sizes easily. Keep in mind that non-standard sizes may increase costs due to paper waste – get in touch and we'll help you choose.
What paper thickness is recommended for business cards?
Business cards are usually printed on 300–400 g/m² card stock. The most common choice is 350 g/m², which is sturdy enough to hold up in a wallet without bending.
Why do A-series papers all look "the same shape"?
All A-series sizes share the same aspect ratio (1:√2, roughly 1:1.414). This means artwork can be scaled between sizes without breaking the layout or cropping images.
