Mastering Measurements in Printing

‍

Ever wondered how your favorite poster or book gets its perfect dimensions? It all comes down to precise measurements! In the fascinating world of printing, understanding different units and standards is key in you and your printer speaking the same language. Printing has a lot of jargon so be sure to share exact measurements with the common vernacular (i.e. poster, flyer, brochure) of the piece you’re looking to print . Let's dive into some common measuring techniques and clear up any confusion.

‍

Metric vs. Standard Measurements: A Global Perspective

The printing industry, like many others, uses both metric and standard (imperial) systems. At Printworks, we prefer to work within the Standard System. However, our overseas clients require us to be proficient in both.

Metric System: This is the international standard, used by most countries around the globe. It's based on units of ten, making conversions super straightforward.
- Millimeters (mm): Often used for precise measurements, especially for smaller details or when accuracy is paramount.
- Centimeters (cm): Ideal for slightly larger dimensions, commonly seen when discussing print sizes.
- Meters (m): Used for very large prints, like banners or signage.

Standard (Imperial) System: Primarily used in the United States, this system relies on inches, feet, and yards.
- Inches (in): The most common unit for discussing print sizes in the US. You'll hear about 8.5" x 11" paper all the time!‍
- Feet (ft) and Yards (yd): Used for larger print projects, similar to meters in the metric system.

While both systems are prevalent, it's crucial to share your specs to avoid costly errors. Many modern design software and printers allow you to switch between units seamlessly.

‍

Page Sizes in Europe: The A-Series Format

The A-series format is very similar to the Metric System. It’s better in so many ways to the Standard System and the US absolutely refuses to adopt the simpler system. The A-series is a standardized and efficient system that makes a lot of sense once you understand it.

The brilliance of the A-series lies in its consistent aspect ratio. If you fold an A-series sheet of paper in half along its longest side, you get the next smaller size in the series, while maintaining the same proportion.

Here's a quick look at the most common A-series sizes:

A0: The largest standard size, roughly equivalent to a square meter. Often used for technical drawings or large posters.
A1: Half the size of A0.
A2: Half the size of A1, commonly used for printing posters.
A3: Half the size of A2, often used for brochure printing or larger documents.
A4: The most common paper size in Europe, similar to the US Letter size. Used for everyday printing of letters and documents.
A5: Half the size of A4, perfect for notebooks or flyers.‍
A6: Half the size of A5, frequently used for postcards.

This logical progression makes it easy to scale designs and ensures consistency across different print projects.

‍

Pixels vs. Inches: The Digital to Print Connection

When you're designing something on a computer, you're usually working with pixels. These tiny squares of color are the building blocks of digital images. However, when you send that design to a printer, it needs to be translated into a physical size, typically measured in inches or millimeters. Pro-tip: When beginning your design, create an art board based on your intended finish size.

The key here is resolution, often measured in dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI).

DPI/PPI: This tells you how many pixels (or dots of ink) are packed into every inch of your print. A higher DPI means more detail and a sharper image. For most high-quality printing, a resolution of 300 DPI is recommended. We have a great explainer on DPI vs PPI.
Why it matters: If your digital image has too few pixels for the desired print size, it will appear "pixelated" or blurry when printed. Think of trying to stretch a small image to fit a large billboard – it won't look good!

Understanding the relationship between pixels and physical dimensions is crucial for ensuring your digital designs translate beautifully into print.

‍

By getting a handle on these different measuring techniques, you're well on your way to speaking the language of printers and ensuring your next print project is a perfectly measured success!

Happy printing!