Poster printing: sizes, paper types and where to use them

Posters are one of the most flexible things a print shop makes. A band announces a show, a school promotes a fundraiser, a real estate team shows a neighbourhood map, a café lists its seasonal menu. The same file can look sharp at one size and lost at another, so it pays to decide the size first.

The three sizes most people ask about

Most poster orders land on one of a handful of sizes. Here is how they tend to be used.

Beyond those, we can quote other sizes, including bigger formats. Just ask when you request a quote.

Match the size to the reading distance

A simple test helps. Tape a sheet of paper where the poster will hang, step back to where a passerby would be, and see what you can read. If the main headline is hard to read from there, you need a larger poster or a shorter message.

• Up close (counter, notice board): 11 x 17 is enough, and smaller text is fine.
• Across a room: 18 x 24 or 24 x 36, with a headline readable at a glance.
• Down a hallway or across a lobby: go large, use fewer words and make the key detail the biggest thing on the page.

A strong poster usually has one dominant message, one image and one line telling people what to do next, such as a date, a web address or a phone number.

Paper finishes and what they do

Paper affects mood as much as colour does. Finishes you will usually hear about are gloss, satin and matte, and exact stocks vary, so ask us what is available for your size.

1. Gloss: Colours look rich and punchy, which suits photography and bold graphics. It reflects light, so it can show glare under bright bulbs.
2. Matte: Softer, with little glare, so text is easy to read from any angle. It suits art prints, black and white work and rooms with strong windows.
3. Satin or semi-gloss: A middle ground between the two, with some depth and less reflection.

If your poster is photographic and will hang in a brightly lit hall, matte or satin can look calmer than gloss. If it needs to stand out in a window display, gloss often wins.

Indoor display is the sweet spot

Standard poster paper is made for indoor use. It does not like damp, rain or sustained direct sun. For anything outdoors, consider a coroplast sign or a vinyl banner instead, and read our guide to foam board vs coroplast signs for help choosing.

Mounting and framing ideas

A bare poster can curl or tear, so think about how it will hang.

• Frames: Standard frame sizes are a good starting point, so pick your poster size with the frame in mind. A frame with a mat adds a gallery look to 18 x 24 and 24 x 36 prints.
• Poster rails: Two thin clip-on rails, top and bottom, give a clean hanging look without a full frame.
• Foam board mounting: Mounting a poster on rigid board keeps it flat for easels and stands. See our foam board printing page for printed-on-board options.
• Tape and putty: Fine for temporary notices. Use removable products to protect painted walls.

Preparing the file

Poster files should be built at the final size or in the same proportions. Images should be sharp at the size you plan to print, though large posters viewed from a distance can use a lower effective resolution than small ones. Our print-ready files guide covers bleed, colour mode and export settings, and a poster headed for an event will also benefit from our trade show printing checklist.

Planning your order

If you are not sure which size or finish suits your project, tell us where it will hang and who will see it. We will suggest a combination and quote it. You can start on our poster printing page or send your details through the quote form. We print for customers in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and the wider GTA, and we ship across Canada and the USA.