A3 Poster Printing
A3 is the most versatile compact poster format, measuring 297mm × 420mm — exactly half the area of A2, a quarter of A1, and twice the size of standard A4. Printways prints A3 posters in-house on 200gsm coated stock in gloss, matte, satin, and 100% recycled finishes, with full-colour output that stays pin-sharp at close reading distance. Whether you need a single A3 print for a counter or a few thousand for a nationwide multi-site rollout, we print from one copy upwards with zero minimum order.
What Size Is an A3 Poster?
Official ISO 216 dimensions, pixels, and scale comparison
| Size | Metric (mm) | Imperial (inches) | Pixels at 150dpi | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 mm | 33.1 × 46.8 in | 4967 × 7022 px | Exhibition panels, retail windows, large wall displays |
| A1 | 594 × 841 mm | 23.4 × 33.1 in | 3508 × 4967 px | Office displays, medium wall posters, information boards |
| A2 | 420 × 594 mm | 16.5 × 23.4 in | 2480 × 3508 px | Notice boards, in-store signage, POS displays |
| A3 (Current) | 297 × 420 mm | 11.7 × 16.5 in | 1754 × 2480 px | Counter displays, small notices, desk signage |
Why Printways for A3 Poster Printing?
We are a UK printer with our own production floor. This means your A3 posters are printed, trimmed, and packed by the team who quoted them. There is no outsourcing, no colour drift between reprints, and no waiting on a third party. Every A3 poster is produced on commercial equipment using pigmented inks that resist fading for years indoors.
The Compact Display Size
A3 is the format that sits comfortably on a counter, shelf, or desk without taking over the room.
No Minimum Order Quantity
Order a single A3 poster for a proof or one-off event, or print thousands for a national retail rollout.
4 FSC-Certified Finishes
200gsm gloss, matte, satin, and 100% recycled stocks sourced exclusively from responsibly managed mills.
Fast Turnaround Options
Standard 2–3 working day production, with express same-day and next-day A3 printing available upon request.
Free UK Tracked Delivery
Free delivery on orders over £50, sent flat-packed in board-backed envelopes or boxed depending on quantity.
Custom Sizes Available
Need bespoke dimensions? We also print custom size posters to any exact millimetre dimension.
Poster Paper Options for A3 Printing
The finish you choose changes how light behaves on the print and therefore how the poster reads in its space:
200gsm Gloss
Most PopularThe most popular choice for A3 posters. The coated gloss surface reflects light and pushes colour saturation. This makes photographs, product shots, and bold graphics look vivid and punchy.
200gsm Matte
Glare-FreeA non-reflective finish that reads cleanly under any lighting and from any angle. Matte is the safer option for text-heavy posters, price lists, and anywhere a premium, editorial look is wanted.
200gsm Satin
Balanced SheenA middle ground between gloss and matte — low sheen, strong colour vibrancy, and easy to photograph for social media without harsh glare. A reliable default for marketing print.
100% Recycled
Eco-FriendlyAn uncoated, naturally textured sheet made from 100% post-consumer waste. Ideal for eco care-focused brands, environmental campaigns, and any group with a green procurement policy.
Common Uses for A3 Posters
A3 is the everyday workhorse of small-format display — big enough to carry a clear message, small enough to fit almost anywhere. It is widely used for:
Price promotions, impulse offers, and contactless payment information right at the checkout.
Opening hours, visitor check-in directions, contact details, and welcome messages.
Product callouts, seasonal category markers, and promotional pricing cards.
Timetables, staff rotas, safety messaging, compliance documents, and emergency procedures.
Craft drinks lists, daily specials boards, food menus, and allergen information sheets.
Local gigs, community craft markets, theatre productions, and pub performance flyers.
An affordable format for small-edition artist prints, illustration merchandising, and photo galleries.
Secondary messaging around a main A0 or A1 backdrop panel, tabletop brochures, and feature cards.
“Back in five minutes”, delivery notices, temporary closures, and seasonal holiday operating hours.
A3, A2 or A4 — Which Should You Choose?
The choice comes down to how close the reader is and how much space you have:
Choose A3 (297 × 420 mm)
Compact WorkhorseFor close-up reading & countertops: Choose A3 when the display sits on a counter, reception desk, shelf, or menu board read up close — or when distributing high volumes across multiple locations.
- • Reading distance: Under 1 metre
- • Lowest unit cost per poster
- • Universally stocked A3 frames
Choose A2 (420 × 594 mm)
2× A3 AreaFor notice boards and corridors: Choose A2 for community notice boards, in-store signage, and doors read from a couple of metres away.
- • Reading distance: 1 – 2 metres
- • Excellent mid-size wall signage
- • 420 × 594 mm standard frame size
A1 or A0 Format
Maximum ImpactWhen you need commanding presence: Choose A1 or A0 when the poster must dominate a wall, storefront window, or show space seen from several metres away.
- • Reading distance: 2 – 10+ metres
- • High-impact commercial presence
- • Flagship promotional displays
Indoor vs Outdoor A3 Posters
Our standard 200gsm A3 posters are designed for indoor use. Indoors they will stay flat, hold colour, and resist fading for years. If your poster is going outside — on a sports fence, a shop front, a festival site, or a building hoarding — choose our waterproof poster instead. That stock is coated to shed rain and shrug off UV exposure. it will not cockle, fade, or delaminate in British weather.
Artwork and File Setup for A3
Supply A3 artwork as a PDF at 300dpi for best results (150dpi minimum), CMYK colour mode, with 3mm bleed on all four edges and crop marks included:
Resolution
300dpi recommended (3508 × 4960 px) for crisp close-up reading. 150dpi minimum (1754 × 2480 px).
Bleed & Crop Marks
Add 3mm bleed on all four edges with crop marks. Essential when trimming flush to avoid white edges.
CMYK Colour Mode
Set artwork to CMYK. For deep, rich blacks, use C40 M30 Y30 K100 rather than 100% black alone.
Typography & Lines
Avoid body text below 8pt and fine hairlines below 0.25pt. Embed or outline all fonts before exporting PDF.
Do You Print Custom Size Posters?
Yes — and often. If A3 is not quite right, we print custom size posters to any width and height you specify, from small formats through to sizes larger than A0 and panoramic prints. Non-standard frame sizes, legacy artwork designed to old imperial dimensions, and irregular shapes can all be produced to your exact millimetre dimensions.
Pricing, Turnaround and Delivery
A3 poster pricing is calculated per sheet by quantity and finish, with clear volume breaks as order quantities increase — so the cost per poster drops sharply between ten and a thousand copies. Because A3 uses less material, it offers the lowest unit cost of any standard poster size. Standard production is 2–3 working days, with next-day and same-day express options available for urgent work. Small runs are sent flat-packed in board-backed envelopes. Meanwhile, larger runs are boxed with tracked courier delivery. UK delivery is free on orders over £50.
A3 Poster Printing — Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers on dimensions, paper stocks, packaging, framing, and delivery times.
What size is an A3 poster in mm and inches?
An A3 poster is 297mm × 420mm. This is about 11.7 inches × 16.5 inches. It is half the area of A2, a quarter of A1 and twice the size of an A4 sheet.
What resolution should A3 artwork be supplied at?
Because A3 posters are read up close, supply artwork at 300dpi — that is 3508 × 4960 pixels — for the sharpest result. 150dpi (1754 × 2480 pixels) is the absolute minimum acceptable for print.
How much does an A3 poster cost?
A3 poster pricing is based on quantity and paper finish, and the cost per poster falls as you order more. A3 offers the lowest unit cost of any standard poster size because it uses less material. Add your quantity online for an instant price, or contact us for a trade quote.
How quickly can you print and deliver A3 posters?
Standard A3 poster printing takes 2–3 working days. Next-day and same-day express options are available on request for urgent deadlines, subject to file approval time.
Do you print a single A3 poster?
Yes. There is no minimum order — you can order one A3 poster as a proof or a one-off, or thousands for a multi-site rollout.
Should I choose A3, A2 or A4 for my poster?
Choose A3 when the display sits on a counter, reception desk, shelf or menu board and is read up close from around a metre away. Choose A2 for notice boards and in-store signage read from a couple of metres. Choose A1 or A0 when the poster must dominate a large wall or window seen from metres away. A4 is for very small handouts or desk notices only.
Do you offer custom size posters as well as A3?
Yes. We print custom size posters to any width and height you specify, including sizes larger or smaller than A3, non-standard frame sizes and panoramic formats. See our custom size poster printing page for details.
Can A3 posters be printed on waterproof paper?
Yes. Our standard 200gsm A3 posters are for indoor use. For outdoor uses we print on waterproof poster stock that resists rain, moisture and UV fading.
Will my A3 poster arrive rolled or flat?
Small quantities of A3 posters are sent flat-packed in board-backed envelopes to keep them perfectly flat. larger runs are boxed. They are never folded.
What is the best paper finish for an A3 poster?
Gloss gives the most vivid colour and suits photo or graphic-led posters. Matte avoids glare and reads better for text-heavy designs, price lists and menus. Satin is a balanced all-rounder, and recycled suits eco care-led brands.
Will an A3 poster fit a standard frame?
Yes. A3 is one of the most widely stocked frame sizes in the UK, available in 297mm × 420mm off the shelf in shops and online. Always check the exact internal frame dimensions before ordering a frame.
Do you deliver A3 posters throughout the UK?
Yes. We deliver across the UK including Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and offshore islands by tracked courier. Delivery is free on orders over £50.
What is an A3 poster used for?
A3 posters are used for counter and till-point displays, desk and reception signage, shop shelf labels, school and office notices, café menus, event posters, small art prints, trade show secondary graphics and window or door notices.
Can you print an A3 architectural or technical drawing?
Yes. Architectural plans, CAD drawings and technical schematics print cleanly at A3 on matte or satin stock, which keeps fine lines and annotations sharp without glare. Choose custom size if your drawing is non-standard.
Do you offer A3 poster bulk or trade printing?
Yes. We offer volume pricing on large A3 runs for agencies, print managers, retailers, schools and event organisers. Contact us for trade rates and account terms.
What bleed do you need for A3 artwork?
Supply 3mm bleed on all four edges with crop marks. If the design is trimmed flush to the edge, bleed is essential to avoid white slivers after trimming.
A3 Posters
Select your options to get an instant price.
Note:
- All delivery times are estimates.
- Orders to the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, and parts of the Scottish Highlands & Islands may take an extra working day.
- Scottish deliveries may also be delayed if collected by DPD on our later service.
Related Products
Other variants available for this product
Our Promise to You
Premium Quality
We use state-of-the-art printing tech and premium paper stocks to ensure every product meets the highest standards of quality.
Fast UK Delivery
With fast turnaround times and reliable UK-wide delivery, you can count on us to get your prints to you when you need them.
Expert Support
Our team of print experts is here to help you every step of the way, from choosing the right product to checking your artwork.
Complete Guide to Custom Printing
Ordering custom printed materials has never been easier. Whether you are a small business looking for fresh marketing print, or a large enterprise needing bulk commercial print runs, our online calculator ensures you get instant, transparent pricing. We pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of paper stocks, weights, and luxury finishes to make your project stand out from the competition.
How to Prepare Your Artwork
To ensure the highest quality print, please supply your artwork in PDF format. We recommend saving your files with the 'High Quality Print' preset. Here are a few essential tips for the perfect print:
- Bleed Area: Please include a minimum of 3mm bleed on all edges of your design. This ensures no white borders are left when we trim your product to the final size.
- Safe Zone: Keep all important text, contact details, and logos at least 3mm away from the trim edge.
- Resolution: All images and graphics should be supplied at 300dpi (dots per inch) for crisp, clear, and professional results.
- Colour Mode: Convert all RGB and spot colours to CMYK format before exporting your file to avoid unexpected colour shifts.
Understanding Paper Stocks & Finishes
Choosing the right paper stock can dramatically change the feel of your product. Here is a quick guide to our most popular options:
- Silk / Uncoated: A natural, non-reflective finish that is highly readable and easy to write on. Perfect for letterheads, forms, and elegant brochures.
- Gloss: A shiny coating that makes colours pop and images look incredibly vibrant. Ideal for flyers, posters, and photograph-heavy designs.
- Matt Lamination: A smooth, sleek finish that dulls reflections and adds a premium, tactile feel to business cards and luxury presentation folders.
- Spot UV & Foil: For maximum visual impact, add a glossy raised layer or metallic foil to specific parts of your design to draw the eye instantly.
Fast Delivery & Turnaround Times
We understand that business deadlines are critical. Our standard production times are clearly listed in the calculator options. Once printed, orders are carefully packed and dispatched via trusted overnight couriers to ensure they reach you safely and securely across the UK. You will receive a tracking link via email the moment your order leaves our production facility. It gives you complete peace of mind.