Posters are often printed at standard sizes to increase printing speed and reduce material waste. Some print shops may offer custom sizes, allowing more design flexibility. Here are the key differences between standard and custom sizes for poster printing:
Availability
Standard-size posters are easy to order, and many print shops have machines pre-programmed for poster printing. Commonly stocked sizes may include bulletin (11×17 in), concert (18×24 in), and movie (27×40 in). Industry-standard dimensions usually fit general preferences and require less customization. This makes creating consistency across vendors and adhering to market standards easier.
Custom sizes are tailored to a business’s needs and are unique to each project. They often have limited print runs and require special preparation. Availability usually depends on a print shop’s machinery and the maximum or minimum size their equipment can produce. For custom posters, professional printers often recommend planning ahead to make sure your desired size is available and your artwork is scalable.
Design Flexibility
Standard sizes may limit the number of design adjustments you can make to your poster. Preset templates can constrain layout options and force you to use fixed dimensions. You must also work with limited standard ratios to fit the gridlines required for basic graphic alignment. Custom sizes often allow designers to adjust ratios and graphic alignment, providing multiple design possibilities. Custom sizes enable you to break away from traditional layouts and experiment with personalized designs. This helps maximize creative potential and can create posters with exclusive visual appeal.
Printing Speed
Standard-sized posters can often be printed quicker, as preconfigured settings help eliminate setup delays. Your design files and artwork usually require less processing to make sure images are crisp at large sizes or non-traditional ratios. For businesses working under time constraints, standard posters are preferred because they have a predictable turnaround time.
Custom sizes usually require more preparation because printers must be manually configured to accommodate your design’s requirements. This can lead to longer production queues and slower file processing. Material preparation may also increase the complexity of production.
Material Use
Standard-size poster paper is usually precut. This means multiple posters can be printed on a single ream of paper, reducing waste. The lack of custom adjustments and the use of well-calculated dimensions help maximize the number of posters produced from a single sheet. Custom sizes require specific sheet cuts, potentially resulting in material waste. Desired sizes may not match existing paper stock exactly, and the trimmed excess must be scrapped.
Compatibility
Standard posters typically match standard accessories and work well with common tools. They easily fit most frames and are widely compatible with most printers. Frames for industry-approved poster sizes are commonly available at many retail stores. Custom-size posters typically require unique frames and may not fit defaults. Custom mounts and unique accessories often need to be ordered for custom posters.
Get Poster Printing Services
Standard poster printing is ideal for people who produce posters in mass quantities and require uniform products. If you need design flexibility, choose custom poster printing options. Custom posters can also be printed in non-traditional shapes, matching your logo or a seasonal promotion. All posters can be laminated to protect your advertisement from the weather. Contact a professional printing service today for a consultation on your poster printing options.
