ISO Paper Size Guide: A Series, B Series & Print Artwork
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Image Magic Printing Size Guide
Choose the Correct Finished Size Before Preparing Your Artwork
This guide explains ISO A-series and B-series paper dimensions, how the sizes relate to one another, and the difference between a product’s finished size and the larger artwork size required when bleed is added.
Quick Paper Size Guide
All dimensions in this guide are shown as short edge × long edge. The same sheet can be used in portrait or landscape orientation.
What Does ISO 216 Cover?
ISO 216 defines trimmed paper dimensions for the main A series and the subsidiary B series. These formats are widely used for writing paper, office documents, forms, catalogues and many commercial printed products.
A Series
The A series is the main system. A0 is the starting format, and each following size is created by dividing the previous sheet in half parallel to its shorter edge.
B Series
The B series provides dimensions between adjacent A-series sizes. It can be useful when an A format is either too small or too large for the intended printed product.
Standards correction: ISO 216 covers the A and B series. C-series names are commonly associated with envelope formats, but they are outside the scope of ISO 216.
How the ISO Paper Size System Works
Consistent proportions
A-series and B-series sheets use an aspect ratio of approximately 1:√2, allowing documents to be enlarged or reduced while retaining the same proportions.
Each A size is halved
Folding or cutting an A-series sheet in half produces the next smaller A size, subject to the standard rounded dimensions.
Orientation does not change size
A4 remains 210 × 297 mm whether the artwork is arranged vertically as portrait or horizontally as landscape.
ISO A-Series Paper Sizes: A0 to A10
The A series is commonly used for documents, forms, flyers, brochures, booklets, presentation sheets and office printing.
| ISO size | Dimensions in millimetres | Dimensions in centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 84.1 × 118.9 cm |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 59.4 × 84.1 cm |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 42.0 × 59.4 cm |
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 29.7 × 42.0 cm |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 21.0 × 29.7 cm |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 14.8 × 21.0 cm |
| A6 | 105 × 148 mm | 10.5 × 14.8 cm |
| A7 | 74 × 105 mm | 7.4 × 10.5 cm |
| A8 | 52 × 74 mm | 5.2 × 7.4 cm |
| A9 | 37 × 52 mm | 3.7 × 5.2 cm |
| A10 | 26 × 37 mm | 2.6 × 3.7 cm |
ISO B-Series Paper Sizes: B0 to B10
B-series dimensions fall between adjacent A-series sizes. They can be selected for certain books, posters, display sheets and printed formats when a standard A size is not suitable.
| ISO size | Dimensions in millimetres | Dimensions in centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| B0 | 1000 × 1414 mm | 100.0 × 141.4 cm |
| B1 | 707 × 1000 mm | 70.7 × 100.0 cm |
| B2 | 500 × 707 mm | 50.0 × 70.7 cm |
| B3 | 353 × 500 mm | 35.3 × 50.0 cm |
| B4 | 250 × 353 mm | 25.0 × 35.3 cm |
| B5 | 176 × 250 mm | 17.6 × 25.0 cm |
| B6 | 125 × 176 mm | 12.5 × 17.6 cm |
| B7 | 88 × 125 mm | 8.8 × 12.5 cm |
| B8 | 62 × 88 mm | 6.2 × 8.8 cm |
| B9 | 44 × 62 mm | 4.4 × 6.2 cm |
| B10 | 31 × 44 mm | 3.1 × 4.4 cm |
Important: Do not choose a product using only the name “B5” or “B4”. Confirm the exact finished dimensions shown on the product page or template before preparing artwork.
Common Printing Size Examples
These are common examples rather than fixed rules. The most suitable size depends on the content, viewing distance, binding, folding and product use.
Finished Size vs Artwork Size
The dimensions in the ISO tables are normally the finished trimmed size. When a design has a background, photograph or colour extending to the edge, the supplied artwork must usually be larger so that bleed can be included.
Adding 3 mm to the left, right, top and bottom adds a total of 6 mm to both the width and height. Read the Bleed, Trim Line & Safe Area Guide for complete artwork instructions.
Do not enlarge the finished product accidentally. Select the ordered finished size first, then add the required bleed outside its trim line.
Portrait and Landscape Orientation
Portrait and landscape describe the direction in which the same size is used. They do not create a different paper size.
A4 Portrait
210 mm wide × 297 mm high. Common for letters, reports, forms and vertically arranged documents.
A4 Landscape
297 mm wide × 210 mm high. Common for charts, menus, presentations and horizontally arranged layouts.
Finished Sizes and Production Sheet Sizes Are Different
ISO 216 describes trimmed finished dimensions. Printing companies may use larger untrimmed or production sheets so that bleed, registration, colour bars, cutting margins and several imposed copies can fit on one sheet.
Formats such as RA, SRA or other machine sheet sizes should not be treated as the customer’s final product size unless the product specifically says so.
Customers should normally prepare artwork according to the finished product size and product template. Image Magic will arrange the production sheet and imposition according to the selected printing process.
Before Preparing Your Artwork
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact size of A4?
A4 is 210 × 297 mm. With 3 mm bleed on every edge, the supplied artwork would normally be 216 × 303 mm.
What is the exact size of A5?
A5 is 148 × 210 mm. It is one half of an A4 sheet when A4 is divided parallel to its shorter edge.
What is the ISO size of B5?
ISO B5 is 176 × 250 mm. Confirm the exact size because other B-series conventions may appear in some software and imported products.
Does ISO 216 include C-series sizes?
No. ISO 216 covers trimmed A-series and B-series paper sizes. C-series names are generally associated with envelope formats.
Is the listed size before or after trimming?
The ISO dimensions shown are finished trimmed sizes. Bleed is added outside these dimensions when required.
Can I order a custom size?
Custom sizes are available for selected products. Availability, pricing and minimum quantities depend on the material, machine, finishing method and production layout.
Not Sure Which Printing Size to Select?
Send us the product type, intended use, required quantity and approximate dimensions. Our team can help identify a suitable finished size and confirm the artwork dimensions required before production.