Design for Print - Formats

Broadsheet Size

Dimensions: 750 x 600 mm (29.5" x 23.5")

Background

The term broadsheet derives from single sheets of political satire and ballads sold on the streets, which became popular after the British placed a tax on newspapers by the number of pages in 1712.

The broadsheet size for newspapers is becoming less popular and many titles are switching from broadsheet to tabloid.

In Australia and New Zealand the term broadsheet is used to refer to papers that are printed on A1 size paper (841 x 594 mm - 33.1" x 23.4").

Berliner

Dimensions: 470 mm × 315 mm (18.5" × 12.4")

Background

The Berliner format (also known as Midi) is commonly used by newspapers across Europe. Confusingly the title 'Berliner Zeitung', often referred to as just 'Berliner' is not printed in berliner size.

Tabloid Size

Dimensions: 430 x 280 mm (16.9" x 11.0")

The tabloid size is often referred to as being 'half the size of a broadsheet' however this is not strictly true as broadsheet is 750 x 600 mm (29.5" x 23.5")

Tabloid size is actually not very different from A3 and thus a transition to printing tabloids on an A2 sheet (remember that newspaper sizes are the size of the folded pages) would be sensible in the longer term.

Background

The word tabloid when referring to newspaper sizes comes from the style of journalism known as 'tabloid journalism' that compacted stories into short, easy to read and often exaggerated forms. Tabloid journalism itself got its name from the 'tabloid pills' marketed in the 1880's, that were the first highly compacted and easy to swallow pills commonly available.

The tabloid size is widely used across the globe these days, with titles in the US, Russia, China, the UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil and many other countries using this format. Recently many established papers have changed from broadsheet size to tabloid size as it has proved more popular with readers.

Compact Size

This size is the same as tabloid. The term being coined when the 'quality' or 'high brow' press titles moved from the traditional broadsheet size to the smaller tabloid size, as they didn't want to be associated with the sensationalism of tabloid journalism.

Dimensions of RA and SRA series untrimmed paper sizes

The RA and SRA paper formats are defined by ISO 217 "Paper - Untrimmed Sizes" and cover untrimmed raw paper for commercial printing. The RA and SRA sizes are slightly larger than the corresponding A series sizes to allow for bleed on printed material that will be later trimmed to size, often for bound publication.

RA stands for "raw format A" and is conceptually defined as being 105% of the A series size, thus as A0 has an area of 1 square metre RA0 has an area of 1.05 square metres. SRA stands for "supplementary raw format A" and is conceptually defined as being 115% of the A series size, so a sheet of SRA0 paper has an area of 1.15 square metres. In reality the sizes for RA0, RA1, RA2, SRA0, SRA1 and SRA2 are rounded to the nearest centimetre and sizes for RA3, RA4, SRA3 and SRA4 are rounded to the nearest half centimetre.

Table of RA untrimmed paper sizes RA0 to RA4

Table of SRA Untrimmed Paper Sizes SRA0 to SRA4

Size	Height x Width (mm)	Height x Width (in)
SRA0	1280 x 900 mm	50.4 x 35.4 in
SRA1	900 x 640 mm	35.4 x 25.2 in
SRA2	640 x 450 mm	25.2 x 17.7 in
SRA3	450 x 320 mm	17.7 x 12.6 in
SRA4	320 x 225 mm	12.6 x 8.9 in

To obtain paper sizes in centimetres, convert mm values to cm by dividing by 10.

The aspect ratio (the ratio of the width to the height) of the SRA sheets is 1:root 2 (1:1.4142) as for the RA series sheets.

Envelope Sizes
Envelopes are an important part of any business as they are what you send customers and suppliers your letters or mailings in.
Choosing the right envelope can be daunting so below we have listed out the most popular envelope sizes and and envelope styles to help you make the right choice.
At AOS Online we stock a wide range of envelopes in different styles, colours, with or without window. Our envelope sizes guide below however only lists the most popular envelopes, but by going through the Envelope Category, you will find we stock a whole range of different sizes and weight as well as specialist mailing envelopes and padded bags.
Envelope sizes, styles & terminology

	Round Flap Envelope, Wallet, Gummed, for use on certain mailing machines.
	Straight Flap Envelope, Wallet, Gummed, for hand insertion.
	Self-Seal Wallet Envelope, for hand insertion, limited shelf life.
	Trapezium Flap Envelope, Wallet, Gummed, for use on most mailing machines.
	Diamond Flap Envelope, Banker, Gummed, for hand insertions.
	Tuck Flap Envelope, Gummed, Greeting Card Envelopes
	Peel-Seal Envelope, Wallet for hand insertion, unlimited shelf life
	Landscape Window Wallet Envelope
	Portrait Window Wallet Envelope
	Pocket Envelope, Self-Seal, Flaps up Gummed and Peel-Seal Envelopes have flaps down
	Landscape Window Pocket Envelope
	Portrait Window Pocket Envelope
	Gusset Pocket Envelope, Peel-Seal Expandable envelope for sending multiple sheets, unlimited shelf life
	Board Back Envelope, Pocket, Peel-Seal. Printed "Please Do Not Bend" for programmes, certificates, diplomas etc. Unlimited shelf life.

All envelope sizes are measured with the Flap /Sealing Edge to the top, regardless of style.

	The 2nd Dimension of the envelope is always the Flap / Sealing Edge
	The Window is measured in the same way. Window depth - 1st Width - 2nd Position up from bottom - 3rd Position in from the length - 4th

If the envelope or window size and position you are looking for is not available from stock, then please do not hesitate to contact the sales office on 08453 038716 who will be glad to quote you for an envelope made to your specification.
Popular Envelope Sizes
DL Envelopes - Plain White Press-Seal
DL Envelopes - Window White Press-Seal
C5 Envelopes - Plain White Press-Seal
C5 Envelopes - Window White Press-Seal
C5 Envelopes - Manilla Plain Press-Seal
C4 Envelopes - Plain White Press-Seal
C4 Envelopes - Window White Press-Seal
C4 Envelopes - Plain Manilla Press-Seal