Poster Print Sizes 2026
Complete poster print size guide for 2026. Find standard poster dimensions from small (11×17") to movie posters (27×40"), with pixel requirements at 300 DPI and professional printing specifications.
Quick Reference
| Size Name | Inches | Centimeters | Pixels @ 300 DPI | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Poster | 11×17" | 27.9×43.2 cm | 3300×5100 px | 11:17 |
| Medium Poster | 18×24" | 45.7×61.0 cm | 5400×7200 px | 3:4 |
| Large Poster | 24×36" | 61.0×91.4 cm | 7200×10800 px | 2:3 |
| Movie Poster (One-Sheet) | 27×40" | 68.6×101.6 cm | 8100×12000 px | 27:40 |
| Extra Large | 27×41" | 68.6×104.1 cm | 8100×12300 px | 27:41 |
Standard Poster Sizes
Small Poster (Tabloid)
Size (Inches):
11×17"
Size (CM):
27.9×43.2 cm
Pixels @ 300 DPI:
3300×5100 px
Pixels @ 150 DPI:
1650×2550 px
Aspect Ratio:
11:17 (~1:1.545)
Also Known As:
ANSI B, Tabloid
Best For: Event flyers, small promotional posters, restaurant menus, notice boards. This is the same as tabloid/ANSI B paper size and fits easily in standard frames.
Medium Poster
Size (Inches):
18×24"
Size (CM):
45.7×61.0 cm
Pixels @ 300 DPI:
5400×7200 px
Pixels @ 150 DPI:
2700×3600 px
Aspect Ratio:
3:4 (1:1.333)
Best For: Art prints, photography, band posters, dorm room decor. The 3:4 aspect ratio matches standard photo proportions, making it ideal for photography prints.
Large Poster (Most Popular)
Size (Inches):
24×36"
Size (CM):
61.0×91.4 cm
Pixels @ 300 DPI:
7200×10800 px
Pixels @ 150 DPI:
3600×5400 px
Aspect Ratio:
2:3 (1:1.5)
Best For: The most popular large poster size. Perfect for wall art, concert posters, retail displays, and photography. The 2:3 ratio matches DSLR camera sensors (3:2) when rotated.
Movie Poster (One-Sheet)
Size (Inches):
27×40"
Size (CM):
68.6×101.6 cm
Pixels @ 300 DPI:
8100×12000 px
Pixels @ 150 DPI:
4050×6000 px
Aspect Ratio:
27:40 (~1:1.48)
Also Known As:
One-Sheet, US Movie Poster
Best For: Standard theatrical movie poster size (one-sheet). Used for cinema displays, collector's items, and large wall art. The classic Hollywood poster dimension.
20×30 Poster
Size (Inches):
20×30"
Size (CM):
50.8×76.2 cm
Pixels @ 300 DPI:
6000×9000 px
Pixels @ 150 DPI:
3000×4500 px
Aspect Ratio:
2:3 (1:1.5)
Best For: Medium-large posters for retail, photography prints, art reproductions. Same 2:3 ratio as the popular 24×36" size but slightly smaller.
16×20 Poster
Size (Inches):
16×20"
Size (CM):
40.6×50.8 cm
Pixels @ 300 DPI:
4800×6000 px
Pixels @ 150 DPI:
2400×3000 px
Aspect Ratio:
4:5 (1:1.25)
Best For: Medium-sized wall art, portrait photography, gallery prints. The 4:5 ratio is common for portrait photography and Instagram posts.
International Poster Sizes (ISO A-Series)
| ISO Size | Millimeters | Inches | Pixels @ 300 DPI | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 297×420 mm | 11.69×16.54" | 3508×4961 px | Small posters, diagrams |
| A2 | 420×594 mm | 16.54×23.39" | 4961×7016 px | Medium posters, presentations |
| A1 | 594×841 mm | 23.39×33.11" | 7016×9933 px | Large posters, flip charts |
| A0 | 841×1189 mm | 33.11×46.81" | 9933×14043 px | Extra large posters, technical drawings |
ISO vs US Sizes: ISO A-series sizes (used internationally) have a consistent √2 aspect ratio, making them easy to scale. US poster sizes (11×17, 18×24, 24×36, 27×40) vary in aspect ratio but are standard in North America.
DPI Requirements for Posters
Understanding DPI for Poster Printing
DPI (Dots Per Inch) determines print sharpness. The required DPI depends on viewing distance:
| Poster Size | Viewing Distance | Minimum DPI | Recommended DPI | Quality Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11×17" (Small) | 1-2 feet | 200 DPI | 300 DPI | Close viewing (arm's length) |
| 18×24" (Medium) | 2-3 feet | 150 DPI | 200-300 DPI | Moderate viewing distance |
| 24×36" (Large) | 3-5 feet | 100-150 DPI | 150-200 DPI | Wall display, medium distance |
| 27×40" (Movie) | 4-6 feet | 100 DPI | 150 DPI | Wall display, far viewing |
| 40×60" (Extra Large) | 6-10 feet | 72-100 DPI | 100-150 DPI | Large format, distance viewing |
DPI Calculation Formula
To calculate required DPI based on viewing distance:
DPI = 12 ÷ Viewing Distance (in feet)
Examples:
- 2 feet away: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 → ~200 DPI recommended
- 3 feet away: 12 ÷ 3 = 4 → ~150 DPI recommended
- 6 feet away: 12 ÷ 6 = 2 → ~100 DPI recommended
Pro Tip: When in doubt, use 300 DPI for posters up to 18×24" and 150-200 DPI for larger sizes. Your eyes won't perceive individual pixels at appropriate viewing distances, even at lower DPI.
Aspect Ratio Guide
Common Poster Aspect Ratios
| Aspect Ratio | Poster Sizes | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:3 (1:1.5) | 24×36", 20×30" | Same as 35mm film / DSLR sensors (rotated) | Photography prints, landscape images |
| 3:4 (1:1.333) | 18×24", 12×16" | Traditional photograph ratio | Portrait photography, standard prints |
| 4:5 (1:1.25) | 16×20", 8×10" | Classic portrait ratio | Portrait photography, Instagram posts |
| 11:17 (1:1.545) | 11×17" | Tabloid/ANSI B paper size | Flyers, small posters, menus |
| 27:40 (1:1.48) | 27×40" | Movie poster standard (one-sheet) | Cinema posters, theatrical displays |
| 1:√2 (1:1.414) | A3, A2, A1, A0 | ISO 216 standard (international) | European posters, technical drawings |
Cropping Considerations
When designing posters, understand how different image aspect ratios fit into poster dimensions:
- 16:9 photos (widescreen): Will have significant cropping on 2:3 or 3:4 posters
- 3:2 DSLR photos: Perfect fit for 24×36" (2:3) posters when rotated
- 4:5 Instagram posts: Perfect fit for 16×20" posters
- 1:1 square images: Will need padding or cropping on all standard poster sizes
Printing Specifications
Bleed and Safe Zones
Professional poster printing requires bleed to account for trimming variations:
- Standard Bleed: 0.125" (3mm) beyond trim on all sides
- Large Format Bleed: 0.25-0.5" (6-12mm) for posters over 24×36"
- Safe Zone: Keep text and important elements 0.25-0.5" inside trim edge
Example: 24×36" Poster with Bleed
- Final Trim Size: 24×36 inches
- With 0.125" Bleed: 24.25×36.25 inches
- Pixels @ 300 DPI: 7275×10875 pixels (instead of 7200×10800)
- Safe Zone: Keep content 0.25" (75 pixels @ 300 DPI) from trim edge
Color Specifications
| Spec | Digital/Screen | |
|---|---|---|
| Color Mode | RGB | CMYK |
| Color Profile | sRGB | US Web Coated (SWOP) v2 or Fogra39 |
| Black | RGB (0, 0, 0) | Rich Black: C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100 |
| File Format | PNG, JPG | PDF, TIFF (with bleed) |
File Preparation Checklist
- ✓ Convert to CMYK color mode before printing
- ✓ Include 0.125-0.25" bleed on all sides
- ✓ Keep text and logos in safe zone (0.25" from edge)
- ✓ Use 300 DPI for posters up to 18×24"
- ✓ Use 150-200 DPI for larger posters (24×36" and up)
- ✓ Embed or outline all fonts
- ✓ Use rich black (C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100) for large black areas
- ✓ Save as high-quality PDF or TIFF for print
Material & Finish Options
Paper Types
| Paper Type | Weight | Finish | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster Paper | 100-170 gsm | Matte or glossy | Budget posters, temporary displays |
| Cardstock | 200-300 gsm | Matte, semi-gloss, or glossy | Durable posters, retail displays |
| Photo Paper | 200-260 gsm | Glossy, satin, or luster | Photography prints, high-quality art |
| Fine Art Paper | 190-310 gsm | Matte or textured | Gallery prints, archival art reproductions |
| Canvas | 340-450 gsm | Matte (textured) | Canvas art prints, stretched frames |
| Synthetic (Polypropylene) | 150-200 gsm | Matte or glossy | Waterproof outdoor posters |
Finish Options
- Matte: No glare, professional appearance, best for text-heavy posters
- Glossy: Vibrant colors, high contrast, best for photography and images
- Satin/Luster: Balanced finish with slight sheen, minimal glare
- UV Coating: Extra protection from fading and moisture (outdoor use)
- Lamination: Clear plastic coating for durability (matte or glossy)
Choosing Paper: For indoor wall art, use 200+ gsm photo paper or cardstock. For outdoor or high-traffic areas, use synthetic paper with UV coating or lamination. For gallery-quality prints, choose fine art paper at 250+ gsm.
Common Poster Size Mistakes
Design Errors
- Insufficient resolution: Uploading 72 DPI web images for large posters results in pixelation
- Wrong aspect ratio: Forcing 16:9 images into 2:3 posters causes awkward cropping
- No bleed: Results in white edges or trimmed content
- Text too close to edge: Gets cut off during trimming
- RGB instead of CMYK: Colors shift dramatically when printed
File Preparation Errors
- Upsampling low-res images: Can't create detail that doesn't exist—always start with high-res sources
- Not outlining fonts: Fonts may appear different if printer doesn't have them installed
- Using web JPEGs: Excessive compression artifacts become visible in print
- Forgetting safe zones: Important text or logos get trimmed
Material Selection Errors
- Glossy paper in high-glare areas: Creates reflections that obscure content
- Thin paper for large posters: Wrinkles and tears easily
- Indoor paper for outdoor use: Fades quickly in sunlight and moisture