UK Paper Sizes Guide for Direct Mail

The world of UK metric paper sizes, aspect ratios, and the difference between A and B paper sizes can seem daunting, but we’re here to help you choose the best possible option for your direct marketing campaign.

A UK Paper Sizes Guide

The A paper size is the paper size standard that most understand. A paper sizes are the most common sizes for general printing, according to the ISO. The ISO 216 specifies international paper sizes used in most countries in the world. As mentioned earlier, A is the most prevalent in the paper sizes chart. The image below demonstrates how large, or small, the A paper sizes are in relation to each other, starting with the biggest, A0.

A Paper Sizes Chart

• A0 – 841 x 1189mm
• A1 – 594 x 841mm
• A2 – 420 x 594mm
• A3 – 297 x 420mm
• A4 – 210 x 297mm
• A5 – 148 x 210mm
• A6 – 105 x 148mm
• A7 – 74 x 105mm
• A8 – 52 x 74mm
• A9 – 37 x 52mm
• A10 – 26 x 37mm

A4 is the most common from the A series paper size chart, with many programs using A4 as their default setting and the majority of home printers using A4. A5 is perhaps best used, and known, for smaller brochures, flyers and leaflets – all brilliant examples of direct mail marketing. At WDM, our Digital Printing Services can print up to the size SRA3 (320 x 450mm) – slightly bigger than A3 size.

B Paper Sizes Guide

Unlike their A size counterpart, the B paper sizes are typically less common. The B paper size chart is used for bigger jobs, such as posters. The B paper size was brought in for a wider range of paper sizes and, due to this, is larger than the A. You can describe B3 as in between the sizes of A3 and A4 and B5 in the middle of A4 and A5. For those that are looking into B paper size for their direct mail, at WDM our Litho Printing Services go up to B3 paper size.

B Paper Sizes Chart

• B0 – 1000 x 1414mm
• B1 – 707 x 1000mm
• B2 – 500 x 707mm
• B3 – 353 x 500mm
• B4 – 250 x 353mm
• B5 – 176 x 250mm
• B6 – 125 x 176mm
• B7 – 88 x 125mm
• B8 – 62 x 88mm
• B9 – 44 x 62mm
• B10 – 31 x 44mm

Alongside the A and B paper sizes, there is the C paper series. However, C paper size is used for envelopes, designed for A paper. The A and C numbers correlate; the A4 will fit in a C4 envelope etc.

Different Grades of Paper

Alongside the A and B paper sizes, there is the C paper series. However, C paper size is used for envelopes, designed for A paper. The A and C numbers correlate; the A4 will fit in a C4 envelope etc.

• Gloss – Gloss paper is shiny and very smooth to the touch. These coated papers have particular applications, such as brochures, flyers, photographic printing and various other documents with an eye for presentation.
• Silk – You could refer to silk paper as in between shiny and matt. It’s similar to granite paper and is most often printed on for postage and revenue stamps.
• Matt – Matt paper is not as smooth as gloss. Matt paper can be coated or uncoated and provides printing without reflections for better readability. Matt can be seen in product booklets, brochures and other high quality print work.

What to Remember Before Printing

Before printing, and viewing our paper size chart, it’s important to consider how many pages you will have in your final document – such as a brochure or magazine. If you intend on producing in-depth direct mail marketing, you’ll want your paper to be lighter – so always consider the page weight. Another aspect of printing is the bleed and binding. The bleed refers to printing that continues to the edge after it has been trimmed, and binding is how your printing product will be held together.

At WDM, we offer a range of printing services – including print finishing – and you can get in touch with one of our team for even more information on paper sizes, and which paper series to choose for your direct mail.