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Poster Sizes in Australia: Standard Dimensions and Reading Distance
Standard Australian poster sizes in mm and cm, with the distance each size reads from and the stock to print it on. A1 poster dimensions are 594 x 841 mm; A2 poster size is 420 x 594 mm.
Last updated: Written by the PALS production team, printing on the Gold Coast since 1985.
The short answer
Australian posters follow the A series. A2 (420 × 594 mm) suits in-store and window displays, A1 (594 × 841 mm) is the most popular retail poster size, while A0 (841 × 1189 mm) works best for viewing from several metres away. If you need one versatile size, A1 is the go-to choice for clear visibility and standard framing.
Key takeaways
- A1 poster dimensions are 594 x 841 mm (59.4 x 84.1 cm) — the default retail poster size in Australia.
- A2 poster size is 420 x 594 mm (42.0 x 59.4 cm), the usual choice for shop windows and in-store promotions.
- A0 at 841 x 1189 mm is the largest standard poster size and stays legible from roughly 6 metres.
- Headline text needs about 25 mm of cap height for every 3 metres of intended reading distance.
- Indoor posters print on 150 gsm satin poster paper; anything exposed to weather needs a synthetic, water-resistant stock instead.
Specifications at a glance
| Poster size | Millimetres | Centimetres | Reads clearly from | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | 84.1 x 118.9 | About 6 m | Foyers, event entries, high foot traffic |
| A1 | 594 x 841 | 59.4 x 84.1 | About 3 m | Retail walls, snap frames, light boxes |
| A2 | 420 x 594 | 42.0 x 59.4 | About 2 m | Shop windows, in-store promotions |
| A3 | 297 x 420 | 29.7 x 42.0 | About 1.5 m | Counters, noticeboards, lift lobbies |
| B1 | 707 x 1000 | 70.7 x 100.0 | About 4 m | Oversized poster sites and event bills |
| B2 | 500 x 707 | 50.0 x 70.7 | About 2.5 m | Gig posters and art prints |
What are A1 poster dimensions?
An A1 poster is 594 x 841 mm, which is 59.4 x 84.1 cm or 23.4 x 33.1 inches. It is the workhorse retail poster size in Australia: big enough to carry a headline readable from about 3 metres, small enough that standard A1 snap frames, light boxes and poster holders are stocked everywhere.
What size is an A2 poster?
An A2 poster measures 420 × 594 mm, or 42.0 × 59.4 cm. It is exactly half the size of A1 and twice the size of A3. A2 is a popular choice for shop windows, café displays and in-store promotions, where customers are typically viewing the poster from within about 2 metres.
Which poster size should I use indoors versus outdoors?
Indoors, choose the size based on viewing distance: A3 for counters, A2 for windows, A1 for walls and A0 for larger foyers or open spaces. Outdoors, stock is more important than size. Standard paper can absorb moisture, so exposed posters should use synthetic poster stock or Corflute when extra rigidity is needed.
What paper stock should a poster print on?
150 gsm satin poster paper is a reliable choice for indoor posters, offering good colour reproduction and a smooth finish. Choose 200 gsm for posters that will be handled, displayed without a frame or need a more substantial feel. For damp or outdoor environments, synthetic poster stock is a more durable option.
How long will a paper poster last outdoors?
Paper posters are not designed for prolonged exposure to weather. Rain can cause cockling and damage, wind can tear edges, and direct sunlight can fade colours over time. For outdoor applications, use synthetic stock or a rigid board such as Corflute for better durability.
How should poster artwork be supplied?
Supply a print-ready PDF at final size with 3 mm bleed on every edge. Keep important text at least 10 mm inside the trim for A2 and larger. Use 300 dpi for A3 and smaller and 150 dpi at final size for A2 and larger. Prepare artwork in CMYK to achieve more predictable colour results in print.
Posters
Posters printed to any A or B size, indoor or synthetic stock.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common poster size?
A1, at 594 x 841 mm. It is the size most Australian snap frames, light boxes and poster rails are built around.
Is A1 bigger than A2?
Yes. A1 (594 x 841 mm) is exactly twice the area of A2 (420 x 594 mm).
What size poster fits a standard snap frame?
Snap frames are sold to A-series sizes, so an A1 frame takes a 594 x 841 mm poster with no trimming. Print to the exact A size rather than oversizing, because the frame lip covers only a few millimetres of edge.
Can posters be printed double-sided?
On paper stock, only if the poster hangs free in a window and both sides need to read – and it needs a blockout stock or the reverse image will ghost through. For a genuinely double-sided display, a rigid board printed both sides is the better build.
What is the difference between A1 and B1 poster sizes?
B1 is 707 x 1000 mm and A1 is 594 x 841 mm, so B1 is noticeably larger in both directions without jumping the whole way to A0. B sizes suit event and gig poster sites where the frame was built to a B format.
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