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 in order to know which fits 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 your 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.
Try our flowchart quiz to find the right poster size!
Common poster dimensions and how to use each for business
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 will stand 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 a space.
This relatively small size is well-suited for small promotions and personal or product information. It is commonly used by salons, small retail stores or service-based businesses to engage 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 from all angles.
Starting at $3.99 per piece, this size is an affordable entry point for small-scale promotions or local campaigns. You can also choose from a variety of custom 8.5” x 11” poster templates on VistaPrint to speed up the design process while keeping your visuals on brand.
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 on larger bulletin boards or in store windows. As the most popular small poster size, these compact dimensions offer a bit more flexibility while fitting easily in most display spaces.
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.
Printed versions of this size start at $9.59 per piece, giving you more space to experiment without stretching your budget. VistaPrint also offers ready-to-edit 11″x 17″ poster templates that make it easy to adapt your poster design for multiple campaigns or events.
3. Poster size: 16″x 20″
The 16″x 20″ poster is an average poster size with dimensions that sit between small format and large format posters. This medium poster size is big enough to stand out but doesn’t overwhelm the eye at various distances. With ample space for both text and imagery, 16″x 20″ is a versatile choice for retail displays and event promotions.
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.
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.
Pricing begins at $10.39 per poster, making this mid-range format an efficient choice for retail displays or exhibits. To simplify setup, explore VistaPrint’s 16″x 20″ poster design templates, which are customizable for both vertical and horizontal layouts.
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.
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.
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.
You can print this versatile poster size starting at $13.59 per poster. It’s a popular pick for storefront or event signage, and you can personalize it easily using VistaPrint’s custom 18″x 24″ poster size design templates, available in a range of styles and color schemes.
Looking for sign design inspiration that draws customers into your store? Check out our storefront sign ideas.
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.
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 the strongest impact.
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 larger poster size, offering enough shine to boost color vibrancy without the distracting glare of glossy lamination.
With prices starting at $23.99 per poster, this larger format lets you make an impression without overspending. VistaPrint’s editable 22″x 28″ poster templates can help you fine-tune the balance between text and imagery for a polished, professional look.
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″ and has the perfect amount of space for bold advertisements and large-scale promotions.
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 24″x 36″ 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.
This standard poster size, often used for outdoor or event advertising, starts at $28.79 per piece. You can also choose from ready-made 24” x 36” poster templates to customize your design quickly!
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 and is especially suitable for outdoor use.
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.
Here are some tips for 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.
As posters get larger, prices naturally increase—but with VistaPrint, even big formats stay within reach. The 28″x 40″ size starts at $35.19 per piece, offering a professional look without cutting corners on quality. You can easily adapt your design using custom 28″x 40″ poster templates that scale beautifully for large displays.
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.
The 36″x 48″ poster, the largest standard poster size, 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 design, try these 36″x 48″ poster design tips:
- 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.
At the top end of the size range, the 36″x 48″ poster delivers the biggest impact in scale and reach. Prices for the largest standard poster size start at $49.59 per piece.
To make every dollar of your print budget work harder, use VistaPrint’s 36”x 48″ custom poster templates. They make it easy to create a cohesive, professional design that commands attention.
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.
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.
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.
- Waterproof or tear-resistant paper: Synthetic stocks like polypropylene handle moisture and wind better than standard paper.
- Laminated or UV-coated finishes: Keep colors sharp and prevent fading under sunlight.
- Vinyl posters: A strong option for extended outdoor use—durable, flexible and resistant to most weather conditions.
- Mounted foam board: Ideal for semi-permanent displays where you need extra stability and a professional, rigid finish.
If you don’t know the exact measurements of the display space yet, choose a slightly smaller format.
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 high-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.
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.
Event and 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.
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 our 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.
Add a QR code linking to your website, social media profile or event RSVP page to save space.
For more advice on what to include and how to organize the information on your poster, refer to our poster layout guide.
Choose easy-to-read fonts that work well across different poster sizes
You’ve got a lot to fit onto your poster—headlines, product details, contact info. That can make it tempting to reduce font sizes or cram text wherever there’s space.
But when readability suffers, so does your message. The right font choices help you share all that information clearly, no matter the size of your poster.
Fonts shape how people experience your design:
- For posters viewed from a distance: Choose clean sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Futura or Montserrat. They stay sharp and legible at larger sizes.
- For smaller posters viewed up close: Try serif fonts such as Merriweather or Playfair Display for a more polished, approachable look.
- For hierarchy: Use bold, high-contrast lettering for headlines and lighter text for supporting details to guide the reader’s eye.
- For consistency: Limit yourself to two complementary fonts—one for emphasis, one for readability—to keep the layout balanced.
- For visibility: Dark text on light backgrounds reads best indoors, while light text on darker tones stands out better outdoors or under bright lighting.
Find more poster font suggestions in our guide to the best poster fonts.
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.
Poster sizes FAQs
Where can I print custom poster sizes?
Most professional printers, including VistaPrint, let you order posters in custom dimensions if your design doesn’t fit a standard size. You can upload your file in the design tool and adjust it directly. For non-standard formats, contact customer support to confirm your layout, bleed and resolution are set correctly for print.
What paper finishes work best for different poster sizes?
- Small posters (8.5″x 11″, 11″x 17″): Go for matte to reduce glare and keep text legible up close.
- Medium posters (16″x 20″ to 22″x 28″): Satin or semi-gloss adds vibrancy without reflections.
- Large posters (24″x 36″ and up): Glossy or UV-coated finishes make colors pop and resist fading outdoors.
- Premium matte or glossy: Ideal for professional, long-term displays where durability and print depth matter.
What’s the best way to hang different poster sizes?
The right hanging method depends on the size of your poster. Smaller prints work well with adhesive strips or clips, making them easy to change or reposition without leaving marks. Medium posters hold up better in lightweight frames or with foam board backing, which adds structure and keeps them flat. For large or outdoor posters, use grommets, clips or suction cups to secure the edges firmly and prevent tearing in wind or weather. For more tips, learn how to hang any poster damage-free.
How can I design one poster that works in multiple sizes?
Start with a scalable layout—a clear focal image, concise headline and modular sections that can expand or contract without losing proportion. When resizing, recheck spacing and font hierarchy so everything remains legible at each format. VistaPrint’s customizable templates make resizing easy while keeping your branding consistent. For a more detailed look, check out our guide to poster design.
