Billboard Sizes & Large Format Print Specifications
Complete guide to billboard and outdoor advertising sizes. Standard dimensions, DPI requirements, viewing distance calculations, and design best practices for large format printing.
Quick Reference - Standard Billboard Sizes
| Type | Dimensions (feet) | Dimensions (inches) | Pixels @ 30 DPI | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletin (Standard) | 14×48 ft | 168×576" | 5040×17280 px | Highways, major roads |
| 30-Sheet Poster | 12×25 ft | 144×300" | 4320×9000 px | Urban areas, busy streets |
| 8-Sheet Poster | 6×12 ft | 72×144" | 2160×4320 px | Bus stops, retail |
| Junior Poster | 6×12 ft | 72×144" | 2160×4320 px | Local advertising |
Standard Billboard Sizes
Bulletin (14×48 ft)
30-Sheet Poster (12×25 ft)
8-Sheet Poster (6×12 ft)
Junior Poster (6×12 ft)
Digital & Specialty Billboards
Digital Billboard (LED)
Spectacular / Wallscape
Transit / Bus Advertising
DPI Guidelines by Viewing Distance
Understanding Viewing Distance & DPI
The farther away a billboard is viewed, the LOWER the DPI requirement. This is because the human eye can't resolve fine details at a distance.
DPI by Viewing Distance:
| Viewing Distance | Required DPI | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 feet | 200-300 DPI | Handheld prints, magazines |
| 5-10 feet | 100-150 DPI | Posters, retail displays |
| 10-50 feet | 50-100 DPI | Bus stops, small billboards |
| 50-150 feet | 25-50 DPI | 30-sheet posters, local boards |
| 150-500 feet | 15-30 DPI | Highway billboards |
| 500+ feet | 10-20 DPI | Large spectaculars, building wraps |
Calculating Optimal DPI
Formula: Optimal DPI = (Visual Acuity × 12) / Viewing Distance in feet
For average visual acuity (1.0), the formula simplifies to: DPI = 12 / Viewing Distance (feet)
Example: Billboard viewed at 400 feet → 12 / 400 = 0.03 inches per pixel = ~30 DPI
Why This Matters for File Size
A 14×48 ft bulletin at different DPIs:
- 300 DPI: 50,400×172,800 pixels = 8.7 BILLION pixels (impractical)
- 30 DPI: 5,040×17,280 pixels = 87 million pixels (manageable)
- 15 DPI: 2,520×8,640 pixels = 21.8 million pixels (often sufficient)
Using appropriate DPI saves storage space, upload time, and printing costs without sacrificing perceived quality.
Design Best Practices for Billboards
7-Word Rule
Viewers have 5-10 seconds to read your billboard. Limit messaging to 7 words or fewer. "Got Milk?" (2 words) is the gold standard. Simple beats clever.
High Contrast Colors
Use bold, contrasting colors. Black text on yellow is most readable. Avoid light text on light backgrounds or dark on dark. Remember billboards compete with sky glare.
Large, Bold Typography
Minimum 18-inch tall letters for highway viewing. Use sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Futura) for better legibility at distance. Avoid script fonts and thin strokes.
Single Focus
One message, one image, one call-to-action. Don't try to communicate multiple ideas. Billboard viewers don't have time for complexity.
Avoid Fine Details
Small details disappear at distance. Use bold shapes, solid colors, and simple graphics. Photos should have clear subjects and high contrast.
Test at Distance
Print a small mockup (8×11") and view it from 20 feet away. If it's readable, your billboard will work at highway distances. Adjust until it passes this test.
Include Branding
Logo should occupy 10-15% of total billboard area. Place in lower right or left corner for optimal recall. Make it large enough to recognize from highway speeds.
Bleed & Safe Zones
Extend design 2-3 feet beyond trim on all sides (bleed). Keep critical elements 2 feet from edges (safe zone). Allows for installation tolerances and wind movement.
Color Mode: CMYK
Always design in CMYK, never RGB. Outdoor prints use CMYK inks. Colors will shift if designed in RGB. Proof prints before final production to verify colors.
File Preparation Checklist
Before Sending to Production:
- ✓ Check dimensions: Verify exact specifications with billboard company (sizes vary)
- ✓ Correct DPI: Use appropriate DPI for viewing distance (15-30 DPI typical)
- ✓ Color mode: Convert to CMYK (not RGB)
- ✓ Add bleed: Extend design 2-3 feet beyond trim on all sides
- ✓ Safe zones: Keep text/logos 2+ feet from edges
- ✓ Flatten layers: Merge all layers or provide layered PSD
- ✓ Outline fonts: Convert text to outlines/curves to avoid font issues
- ✓ File format: PDF (preferred), PSD, or TIFF with layers
- ✓ Proof approval: Get printed proof at scale before full production
- ✓ Link images: Embed or include all linked images at correct resolution
Common File Formats
- PDF: Best for final delivery (include bleed, outline fonts)
- PSD (Photoshop): Good for photo-heavy designs
- AI (Illustrator): Best for vector graphics and typography
- TIFF: Acceptable but creates huge files at billboard sizes
Typical File Sizes
For a standard 14×48 ft bulletin at 30 DPI:
- Uncompressed TIFF: ~250-500 MB
- Layered PSD: ~100-300 MB
- Compressed PDF: ~50-150 MB
Production Methods
Vinyl (Most Common)
Large format inkjet printing on vinyl sheets, then assembled into panels and installed. Durable, weather-resistant, lasts 1-3 years outdoors.
Paper Posters
Traditional method for 30-sheet and 8-sheet posters. Printed sections pasted to board surface. Less durable than vinyl but cheaper for short campaigns.
Digital LED
Electronic displays with rotating content. Low native resolution but vibrant colors. Design for provided pixel dimensions, not physical size.
Painted Billboards
Hand-painted murals for spectaculars and wallscapes. Extremely expensive but unique. Often combined with 3D elements for maximum impact.
Backlit Displays
Translucent vinyl with internal lighting for bus stops and mall displays. Requires adjusting colors for illumination—colors appear more vibrant when backlit.