Format
Dimensions
Small poster (11 × 17 in)
Recommended vs supported sizes
Small posters are best designed at 3300 × 5100 pixels, which corresponds to an 11 × 17-inch print size at high resolution. This size is commonly used for indoor notices, flyers, and wall postings and is widely supported by print providers.
Best practices for visibility
Because small posters are typically viewed up close, prioritize legible typography and clear spacing. Avoid dense layouts and ensure body text is readable from short distances.
Quality and export considerations
Always design at full resolution and avoid scaling up smaller designs for print. Export at the exact pixel size to maintain sharp edges and text clarity.
Medium poster (18 × 24 in)
Recommended vs supported sizes
Medium posters should be designed at 5400 × 7200 pixels, matching an 18 × 24 inch print size. This format is commonly used for event promotion, retail displays, and indoor advertising.
Best practices for visibility
Medium posters are often viewed from a few feet away, so establish a clear visual hierarchy with strong headlines and supporting imagery. Leave sufficient margins to prevent trimming issues.
Quality and export considerations
Use high-resolution images and avoid thin lines that may soften during printing. Export at full size and highest quality to preserve detail.
Large poster (24 × 36 in)
Recommended vs supported sizes
Large posters are best created at 7200 × 10800 pixels, which corresponds to a 24 × 36 inch print size. This is a standard format for storefronts, venues, and promotional displays.
Best practices for visibility
Large posters are often viewed from a distance. Use bold visuals, large text, and simple layouts so the message remains clear without close inspection.
Quality and export considerations
Avoid small details and fine text. Export designs at full resolution to prevent blur when printed at scale.
Extra-large poster
Recommended vs supported sizes
Extra-large posters typically use 8100 × 12000 pixels and are intended for oversized print applications. This size is supported by large-format printers and display systems.
Best practices for visibility
Design for impact rather than detail. Strong imagery and minimal text help ensure readability from farther viewing distances.
Quality and export considerations
Because of the physical size, any resolution issues are amplified. Always export at exact dimensions and avoid rasterizing text where possible.
Movie poster (one-sheet)
Recommended vs supported sizes
Movie posters, also known as one-sheets, are designed at 8100 × 12000 pixels, corresponding to a 27 × 40 inch print size. This is the standard format for theatrical and promotional use.
Best practices for visibility
Movie posters rely on clear visual hierarchy. Titles and key imagery should be immediately recognizable, with secondary text remaining readable from a distance.
Quality and export considerations
Keep important text away from edges to allow for trimming. Export at full resolution to preserve image sharpness and color depth.
Bus stop poster
Recommended vs supported sizes
Bus stop posters are large-format designs created at 14100 × 20700 pixels. These sizes are standardized for outdoor advertising placements.
Best practices for visibility
These posters are viewed quickly and often from moving traffic. Use very large text, high contrast, and simple visuals that communicate instantly.
Quality and export considerations
Outdoor prints require clean, high-resolution assets. Avoid fine details and export at the exact pixel size to maintain clarity at scale.
A2 Poster
Recommended vs supported sizes
A2 posters are designed at 4961 × 7016 pixels and follow the ISO A-series standard. This size is commonly used for informational posters and signage.
Best practices for visibility
A2 posters are usually viewed up close. Balance visual structure with readable body text and consistent spacing.
Quality and export considerations
The A-series ratio allows easy scaling, but designs should still be created at the final size to avoid quality loss.
A1 poster
Recommended vs supported sizes
A1 posters use 7016 × 9933 pixels and provide more space for content while maintaining the ISO aspect ratio.
Best practices for visibility
Because A1 posters can be viewed at varying distances, combine bold headers with readable supporting text and strong layout structure.
Quality and export considerations
Export at full resolution and avoid compressing images heavily, as details are more noticeable at this size.
A0 poster
Recommended vs supported sizes
A0 posters are designed at 9933 × 14043 pixels and represent the largest standard ISO poster format.
Best practices for visibility
A0 posters require clear organization and spacing to prevent overwhelming the viewer. A strong hierarchy is essential.
Quality and export considerations
Large-scale printing amplifies imperfections. Always export at exact dimensions and highest quality to ensure professional results.
Pro tips for poster design
- Always design posters at their final print size to avoid scaling issues and loss of sharpness.
- Keep important text and visuals away from the edges to allow for trimming during printing.
- Use larger text sizes for posters that will be viewed from a distance, especially outdoor and large-format posters.
- Avoid stretching low-resolution images, as imperfections become more noticeable at larger sizes.
- Maintain a clear visual hierarchy so the main message is readable at a glance.
- Export posters at the highest available quality to preserve detail and color accuracy.
How to design and resize posters using Picsart
Picsart makes it easy to design and resize posters using exact pixel dimensions, helping ensure your designs are ready for print without scaling or quality issues.
If you’re starting from scratch, the AI Poster Generator helps you quickly create structured poster layouts at standard sizes. This is useful when you need a starting point that already follows common poster dimensions and layout principles.
For more precise control over typography and layout, the Text Editor lets you adjust font size, spacing, alignment, and hierarchy so text remains readable at different viewing distances. This is especially important for large-format posters where text clarity matters.
When preparing your poster for physical output, exporting through Picsart Print helps ensure your design is formatted correctly for production. Designing at the final pixel size and exporting at the highest quality reduces the risk of blur or unexpected cropping during printing.
Always design at the intended poster size from the beginning and export at full resolution to maintain sharpness and color accuracy.
FAQ
What are standard poster sizes?
What size is a movie poster?
A standard movie poster, also known as a one-sheet, measures 27 × 40 inches and is designed at 8100 × 12000 pixels for high-quality printing.
What size are bus stop posters?
Bus stop posters are large-format outdoor prints commonly designed at 14100 × 20700 pixels. These dimensions are standardized for transit advertising displays.
What are poster dimensions in pixels?
Poster dimensions in pixels depend on the physical size and print resolution. Using pixel-based dimensions ensures accurate scaling and sharp print quality.
Why does poster size matter for print quality?
Designing at the correct poster size prevents blurriness, cropping, and scaling issues during printing, especially for large-format posters.
Why are movie posters larger than standard posters?
Movie posters are designed for high-impact visibility in theaters and public spaces, requiring larger dimensions to remain readable from a distance.
Why do outdoor posters use different dimensions?
Outdoor posters must fit standardized display frames and remain legible at greater viewing distances, which requires larger formats and different proportions.
How do I choose the right poster size?
Choose a poster size based on viewing distance, placement, and the amount of content you need to display. Larger spaces generally require larger poster formats.
How do I resize a poster without losing quality?
Resize posters at full resolution and avoid enlarging low-resolution designs. Always work from the original file at the intended print size.
How do I export posters correctly for print?
Export posters at the exact pixel dimensions and highest available quality to maintain sharpness and color accuracy.