Paper sizes are a pain to remember. I think we’re all familiar with A4, we can picture that as we use it more regularly than the others. I often get asked about paper sizes – queries like ‘I think I want a really big poster, A5 size’ or ‘Which one is the next size up from A4?’. It can be hard to picture a size that you’re not using regularly.

So what do we use these sizes for? Whatever you want to, really. Although you might want to think about:

• A0 – You may not ever use this format. If you’re working at this size, paper might not be the right material for large scale displays either. But it could be used for large displays, events or signage. Perhaps more suited to venues or retail use.
• A1 – wall calendars / planners, large posters, events or display use.
• A2 – wall calendars / planners, larger posters, signage or display
• A3 – posters, advertising in a smaller format. Seasonal signage at point of sale.
• A4 – Well you know what that’s typically used for! Documents, perhaps booklets, forms. Could also be used as posters or larger flyers or handouts.
• A5 – most commonly used in flyers, menus, sometimes larger postcard type applications.
• A6 – commonly used for postcards, mini flyers or vouchers, menus.
• A7 – about the size of a dinner money envelope, one for the mums! Could be used for vouchers, gift cards, thank you cards, larger business cards possibly (actual business cards are a bit smaller).

One way to think about these paper sizes – A4, A3 and all the rest – is to begin with a really big piece of paper. In this case, it’s A0. Think back to when you were a teenager and had a big poster that filled the back of your bedroom door… that big. If you were to fold this 2 times, it would end up A2 in size. Fold it again, and its A3. Once more and its A4, and so on. As the number increases, the size of the paper becomes smaller – not bigger.

In client meetings, I fold A4 when talking about projects that might require smaller size printing. It helps to have this visual guide as a reference point – try it yourself!