Posters are a powerful tool for grabbing attention and building brand awareness. But to get your message noticed, you need to understand poster sizes and finishes to know which fit your project best. As a small business owner, entrepreneur or marketing professional, the challenge is picking poster dimensions that make your poster most impactful.
In this poster size guide, we’ll break down the eight most common poster sizes, explain when to use each one and offer design tips to make your poster pop. We’ll also cover what information to include on your poster and which finishes and layouts can enhance your design. And if you need a quick answer, the flowchart will help you find the perfect poster size for your next poster printing project.
- Standard poster sizes include 8.5″ x 11″, 11″ x 17″, 16″ x 20″, 18″ x 24″, 22″ x 28″, 24″ x 36″, 28″ x 40″ and 36″ x 48″.
- To choose the right dimensions for your poster, consider its audience, display space, message and purpose.
- Larger poster sizes work best with bold, simple visuals, while small posters need minimal, focused graphics.
- Include your brand name or logo, a clear headline, key event or product details, a call to action and contact information.
- Poster finishes include glossy, matte, semi-gloss, premium matte, premium glossy and outdoor stock.
8 common poster dimensions
Choosing the right poster size can make all the difference in how your graphics stand out. Different sizes are better suited to different types of content. Using our knowledge of custom poster printing, we’ve compiled a list of the most common poster sizes, suitable for all kinds of projects.
We’ll also share some practical tips on which graphics work best for each standard poster size, so you can be sure your design stands out, whether advertising an event, promoting a product or creating a branded display.
1. Poster size: 8.5″ x 11″
The 8.5″ x 11″ poster is a compact, standard letter size. This small poster size is ideal for tight spaces like bulletin boards, store counters and cash registers, attracting attention without overwhelming the area.
8.5″ x 11″ smallest poster size
This relatively small size is well-suited for small promotions and personal or product information, and is commonly used by salons, small retail stores or service-based businesses to engage their customers.
Designing for this small poster format size requires a bit of strategy:
- Graphics: Since space is limited, keep graphics minimal. Focus on one strong visual element, like your brand logo, and make sure it doesn’t overwhelm the text. The smaller the poster, the more you need to prioritize clarity, so opt for large, bold fonts and leave unnecessary details out.
- Layout: Whether it’s horizontal or vertical, make sure to balance the text and graphics. A vertical layout can feel more spacious, but leave enough white space around your content to avoid clutter. With this compact size, less is definitely more. Keep the layout simple and easy to skim at a glance.
- Finish: A matte finish works best for this small poster size. Glossy paper can cause distracting glare, especially in places with mixed lighting, like store counters or bulletin boards. Whereas a custom poster with a matte finish keeps the design crisp and easy to read wherever you display it.
2. Poster size: 11″ x 17″
The 11″ x 17″ poster is a step up in size, offering more room for text and visuals, perfect for adding extra detail for larger bulletin boards or store windows. The most popular small poster size, these compact dimensions offer a bit more flexibility without overwhelming the display space.
11″ x 17″ standard poster size
The most popular use cases for this poster size include events or retail promotions that need more detailed information. Small businesses and local shops can use this standard size to highlight key products, services or limited-time offers in an eye-catching and informative way.
If you need slightly more space for information, here’s how to approach the 11″ x 17″ poster design:
- Graphics: This standard poster size lets you include simple product images or small illustrations alongside the text. Keep visual elements clean and straightforward to support your message, not steal the spotlight.
- Layout: A grid format works wonders here, giving your design structure and balance. Make the headline stand out, while leaving plenty of room for text and graphics to breathe.
- Finish: Glossy paper types will make colors pop and visuals shine, perfect for grabbing attention in high-traffic areas like store windows or events.
3. Poster size: 16″ x 20″
The 16″ x 20″ poster is an average poster size with dimensions between small and large format posters. This medium poster size is big enough to stand out but doesn’t overwhelm the space. With ample space for both text and imagery, 16″ x 20″ is a versatile choice for retail displays and event promotions.
16″ x 20″ standard poster size
The 16″ x 20″ poster is ideal for product displays, simple art prints or promotions in retail spaces. It’s also perfect for trade show exhibits or in-store events.
In-store promotion on a foam board using vibrant colors
To deliver a clear, focused message with the 16″ x 20″ poster, follow these design tips:
- Graphics: Use this standard poster size for moderately detailed images or product photography, as it gives enough space for visuals without crowding the design.
- Layout: Make sure to leave room for both a headline and supporting text. Large visuals work best with simple messaging, allowing the viewer to take in the image and information easily.
- Finish: A satin finish strikes the right balance between glossy and matte, giving your poster a professional look that catches the eye without too much shine.
4. Poster size: 18″ x 24″
The 18″ x 24″ poster is one of the most common poster sizes, offering ample space for large visuals and detailed text. It’s ideal for high-visibility applications where you need to grab attention from a distance, yet still an appropriate size to fit most display areas.
Compared to smaller poster sizes like 11″ x 17″ and 16″ x 20″, 18″ x 24″ provides more room to make a bigger impact.
18″ x 24″ common poster size
This standard poster size is perfect for event promotions, trade shows and in-store marketing. It’s also great for long-lasting indoor displays, where you need your message to be seen from further away.
Looking for storefront sign ideas to draw customers into your store? Check out our guide for signage inspiration.
Here’s what works design-wise for this average poster size:
- Graphics: With more space to experiment with your design, the 18″ x 24″ poster size is great for detailed images, product shots or creative event graphics.
- Layout: Create strong focal points to highlight your poster’s message. Pair bold text with high-quality images to ensure your poster design grabs attention.
- Finish: A glossy finish enhances vibrant colors, making it perfect for high-traffic areas.
5. Poster size: 22″ x 28″
Stepping into the territory of larger poster dimensions, the 22″ x 28″ poster is one of the most popular medium poster sizes designed to make a bold statement.
22″ x 28″ medium poster size
Ideal for large event posters, concerts, grand openings or sales promotions, this medium poster size ensures the message is seen from across the room. It’s also a great size for displays in galleries or promotional materials for events, and perfect for high-traffic areas like storefronts, exhibition halls and event venues.
Even with the larger canvas, which offers more room for creativity, it’s important to understand signage design to make an impact.
Standard poster size with a clear layout
Here are a few design tips for the 22” x 28” poster size:
- Graphics: Large images, detailed illustrations or bold artwork work best at 22″ x 28″. Take advantage of this generous space by using visuals that draw the eye from a distance, ensuring clarity even from far away.
- Layout: With this large format, clear structure matters. Use a clear focal point (like a bold headline or central image), neatly organizing your supporting text and visuals around it. Avoid overcrowding and include ample white space to ensure your poster is easy to read.
- Finish: A satin finish works best for this medium poster size, offering enough shine to boost color vibrancy without the distracting glare of glossy lamination.
6. Poster size: 24″ x 36″
Compared to smaller poster dimensions, the 24″ x 36″ large format is designed for maximum visibility—ideal for capturing attention in busy spaces. It’s noticeably bigger than 22″ x 28″, offering even more space for bold advertisements and large-scale promotions.
24″ x 36″ large format poster size
The 24″ x 36″ format is one of the most common large poster sizes and works particularly well for outdoor advertising, trade show displays and exterior walls. These impressive dimensions are also ideal for high-impact visual promotions at exhibitions, concerts or events where visibility matters most.
Because of its larger scale, follow these design tips for maximum impact:
- Graphics: Go big with bold visuals, striking typography and high-impact photography. Avoid intricate details, which lose effectiveness from a distance.
- Layout: Opt for a clean, minimalist design with a strong focal point and limited text. Use plenty of white space for readability and visual clarity.
- Finish: Go for a glossy finish to keep large visual posters vibrant.
Check out these signage design tips to create eye-catching graphics and maximize readability on large posters.
7. Poster size: 28” x 40”
The 28” x 40” poster format is one of the most common large poster sizes on VistaPrint, perfect for outdoor use.
28” x 40” large poster size
Similar to the 24” x 36” poster dimensions, this large poster size excels at event promotions, outdoor advertising, trade show exhibits, movie posters and high-impact advertising campaigns.
When designing large posters:
- Graphics: Choose high-resolution, full-color images that look clear and sharp at a distance.
- Layout: Prioritize visual hierarchy—make headlines prominent and use bold images to draw attention.
- Finish: Opt for a glossy finish to maximize visibility and color vibrancy, especially in brightly lit areas.
8. Poster size: 36″ x 48″
Large format posters like 36″ x 48″ are designed specifically for massive wall displays and outdoor advertising that needs to be visible from far away.
36″ x 48″ large poster format
The largest standard poster size, 36″ x 48″, provides ample space and captures attention from a distance, ideal for billboards, large-scale event displays and large images.
With so much space available, large sizes mean you can include more information. However, to maximize the impact of your 36″ x 48″ poster:
- Graphics: Use oversized, bold visuals paired with clear, easily readable text. Simplicity is key—complex details will get lost at a distance.
- Layout: Focus on large headlines and minimal supporting text. Strong visual focal points help your message stand out clearly and quickly.
- Finish: A matte finish is ideal for outdoor use, reducing reflections and glare to maintain visibility in bright sunlight or varying lighting conditions.
Information to include on your poster
Regardless of your chosen poster dimensions, there are key elements to consider for effective poster design. Here’s a quick breakdown of how these elements differ depending on the size of your poster.
Headline
For large posters, use bold, large text that’s easy to read from far away. For smaller posters, opt for short, punchy headlines that immediately catch the eye.
Poster with a clear layout
Event/Product information
Large posters should clearly feature essential details (date, location, pricing) in easy-to-read text. For medium-sized posters, stick to concise text and short descriptions. Smaller posters need minimal, focused content highlighting only the most important information.
Graphics
For larger formats, choose bold, high-impact visuals to draw attention from a distance. Medium poster sizes benefit from detailed images or product shots that balance visuals and text. Smaller sizes require simpler graphics—minimal text, logos or icons.
Choose your graphics according to the poster dimensions
Branding
Make sure your logo or business name is prominently placed, easily visible and clear across all poster sizes. Position your brand name centrally or at an obvious visual anchor point to reinforce brand recognition.
Call to Action (CTA)
Regardless of the size of your poster, your poster design must feature a compelling call to action (CTA) so that readers know what they should do next.
Depending on how much room you have in your layout, you can go for longer calls to action like “Subscribe to the mailing list” and “Join our free workshop” or shorter, punchier ones like “Buy now” or “Join us”.
Contact info
Make your contact details—phone number, website and social media handles—easily findable regardless of poster size. Keep this information straightforward and easy to read.
Poster design with contact information and social media handles
Add a QR code linking to your website, social media profile or event RSVP page to save space.
How to choose the best poster size for your business needs
To select the ideal poster size for your specific needs, consider the target audience, display space, budget, design content and overall purpose of the poster.
Target audience
Who do you want to see your poster, and how close will they be to it? If you’re targeting people walking past a storefront or trade show booth, medium or large format posters are more effective.
Storefront window display with a medium-sized branded poster
For audiences who’ll be standing nearby, like customers waiting at a cash register or reading a community board, a standard poster size like 11″ x 17″ or 16″ x 20″ offers enough room for key information without overwhelming the space.
Display space
Even the most well-designed poster won’t land if it doesn’t physically fit its space. Before finalizing the size, measure the display area—especially if you’re working with a window, kiosk or frame.
If you don’t know the exact measurements of the display space yet, choose a slightly smaller format.
And remember, some poster dimensions are easier to hang than others, depending on the surface and mounting method. If you’re planning to display your poster outdoors, consider weather-resistant materials.
Budget
Size affects cost, plain and simple. If you’re ordering in bulk, most professional printing services offer discounts, so the price per poster will drop, which is great for campaign promotions. If you’re printing custom poster sizes, expect to pay a bit more.
The poster material and finish you choose also affect the price. Standard finishes like a semi-gloss poster will be more budget-friendly than premium matte or glossy finishes.
Message and design
What you plan to say—and how much space it takes up—will determine the size of your poster. A medium or large poster, like 18″ x 24″ or 22″ x 28″, will give large headlines, detailed event information and multiple images room to breathe. Whereas, if your content is limited to a quick promo or QR code, a compact size like 8.5″ x 11″ might do the trick.
Be mindful of image resolution. If you’re using photography or raster graphics, your chosen poster dimensions need to match your file quality.
Purpose of the poster
Is your goal to attract foot traffic, share key information or build brand visibility? The purpose of your poster should determine the format you choose. For quick updates near a checkout counter, common poster dimensions like 11″ x 17″ work well. For big-impact messages—like a concert, gallery opening or sidewalk sale—a more visible poster size, like 24″ x 36″ or 28″ x 40″, will be more effective.
Posters aren’t always the best fit for every goal. If you’re promoting your business in a busy space or need a durable display board, refer to our guide to the best types of signs to market a small business for other signage options.
Print requirements and poster sizes
Beyond the standard sizes, there are additional margins to consider when preparing your design file for print. All print files require crop marks, including a bleed margin, which is at least 0.125 inches beyond the dimensions of the poster design. For example, an 8.5” x 11” poster should be designed at 8.625” x 11.125” for full bleed. Designers must extend all background graphics and colors to the edge of the bleed.
Poster size can also impact print resolution. 300 PPI is the standard resolution for printing (and the minimum resolution VistaPrint requires for uploaded print files). However, large posters meant to be viewed at a distance can sometimes get away with lower resolutions, such as 150 PPI, helping to save money on printing costs.
Print your posters, any size
Choosing the right size for your next poster printing project is a small decision that has a big impact. It shapes how your message is seen, where it can be displayed and how well it grabs attention in the moment that matters. The best size for your poster depends on its goal, audience, content and where you plan to hang it.
In this poster size guide, we’ve covered the most common poster dimensions, how to match them to different project goals and what to keep in mind when it comes to design, layout and finishes. So now you can confidently choose the right size for your specific needs—whether that’s promoting a flash sale, advertising an event or getting your brand in front of its target audience.
