A3 Poster Printing: Small Enough for Anywhere, Big Enough to Be Seen

Every A3 measurement in one handy card.

Pixels you need for a sharp A3:

Because people read A3 up close, aim for 300 dpi on photos. Text and logos in a PDF stay sharp at any size.

How Big Is A3, Really?

• Two A4 sheets placed side by side make one A3.

• An open magazine: most UK magazines opened flat are close to A3.

• A tabloid newspaper page is almost exactly the same size.

• On a counter, an A3 poster in a stand sits right at eye level for someone waiting to pay.

• On a wall, it's the classic framed-print size for hallways, offices and cafes.

A3, A2 or A4? Pick in 30 Seconds

Need something bigger? See A1 poster printing , or browse every size in our poster printing range.

Quick rule: at A3, a headline about 20 mm tall reads well from 2 metres. If people need to read it from further away, go up a size.

Where A3 Posters Work Best

• A3 is the close-up size. It works best where people stop, queue or stand still:

• Counters and tills: offers, loyalty schemes and "ask us about…" posters right where people pay.

• Menu cases and pub boards: A3 menus, specials and event listings, readable at arm's length.

• Notice boards: big enough to stand out from the A4 notices around it, small enough to leave room for everyone else.

• Shop windows at eye level: a row of A3 posters can show several offers at once. For permanent glass branding, see our window graphics.

• Washrooms, lifts and staff rooms: policies, hygiene notices and campaigns. Choose PVC or laminated so they wipe clean.

• Frames on the wall: A3 is the most popular framed-print size for homes, offices, cafes and salons.

• Mass campaigns: elections, events, charities and franchises, where you need hundreds of identical posters.

Choose Your A3 Poster

A3 Paper Posters

Bright, crisp and great value, especially in bulk. Standard A3 poster prints for shops, events, schools and offices, in matt, silk or gloss.

• Best for: promotions, events, notice boards and campaigns

• Get a quote for A3 paper posters

A3 Photo Prints

Turn your best shots into wall-worthy prints. A3 photo printing gives family photos, holiday shots, product images and portraits real presence, with rich colour and fine detail. Send the original file from your camera or phone, and we'll check it before printing.

• Best for: photographers, gifts, interiors, estate agents and product displays

• Get a quote for A3 photo prints

A3 Art Prints and Wall Art

Gallery-quality A3 art prints for artists, illustrators and makers. Ideal for selling at fairs and online, decorating a cafe or salon, or framing for the office wall.

• Best for: artists, galleries, interior designers and gift shops

• Get a quote for A3 art prints

A3 PVC and Laminated Posters

For anywhere hands, water or weather can reach. A3 PVC posters are waterproof and tear-resistant, and laminated paper posters wipe clean. They're perfect for kitchens, washrooms, gyms, menu cases and outdoor notice boards.

• Get a quote for A3 PVC posters

A3 Boards and Signs

A rigid A3 that stands, hangs or fixes to a fence. Print your A3 on Foamex for indoor signs, or choose A3 Correx signs for weatherproof site and event signs. For desk and exhibition displays, see our custom display boards.

A3 Document and Plan Printing

When your printer can't do A3. Colour or black-and-white A3 documents, plans, charts, reports and presentation boards.

• Get a quote for A3 documents

Your Printer Stops at A4? Here's the Easy Way to Print in A3

Most home and office printers only take A4 paper. You can stretch your design across two A4 sheets and tape them together, but the join always shows. Or you can let us print it properly:

• Save your file as a PDF. In Word, PowerPoint or Canva, choose A3 as the page size first, then export or "Save as PDF".

• Not sure it's set to A3? Send it anyway. A4 designs scale up perfectly to A3, because every A size has the same shape.

• Upload it or WhatsApp it to us. We'll check it for free and send a proof.

• Collect it or have it delivered, printed in full colour on proper poster paper.

No need to buy an A3 printer for a few posters. We'll print one or one thousand.

Will My File Look Sharp at A3?

1. A4 designs scale up perfectly. An A4 PDF becomes an A3 with no cropping or stretching. Text and logos stay sharp.

2. Phone photos are usually great at A3. A 12-megapixel phone photo (about 4,000 × 3,000 pixels) prints at around 250 dpi on A3, which is crisp even up close.

3. Avoid screenshots and images sent over WhatsApp or social media. They lose detail. Send the original file instead.

4. Add 3 mm bleed if your colour runs to the edge, and keep text 5 to 10 mm inside the trim.

5. Frame it? Frames hide a few millimetres around the edge, so keep important details away from the border.

6. Proofread the boring bits. Dates, times, prices and phone numbers cause the most reprints.

Our free artwork check covers all of this and tells you exactly what to fix.

A3 Design Tips That Make People Stop and Read

• One big idea. An A3 poster has about three seconds to win attention. Lead with your offer, event or message, not your logo.

• Headline at least 20 mm tall, so it reads from a couple of metres away.

• Break up the text. Use three or four short lines, not a paragraph.

• Use a strong image. One great photo beats a collage of small ones.

• Add a clear next step: a QR code, website, date or "ask at the counter". Test the QR code before printing.

• Printing a set? Keep the same layout and change one line per poster, such as the date, venue or product, so they look like a family.

No designer? Send your words, logo and photos and we'll lay it out for you.

What Does A3 Poster Printing Cost?

A3 is one of the most affordable poster sizes, and it gets cheaper per poster the more you order. Your price depends on:

• Quantity: this makes the biggest difference. Ten posters cost far less each than one, and hundreds less again.

• Paper or finish: standard poster paper is the cheapest, while photo papers, PVC and lamination cost a little more.

• Single or double-sided: double-sided is useful for window posters read from both sides.

• Speed: standard turnaround is the best value, and urgent slots are available on selected products.

Send us your quantity and we'll give you a clear A3 price with no obligation.

Need it fast? Tell us your deadline and we'll say honestly whether we can make it.

How It Works: From File to A3 in Four Steps

1. Tell us what you need. Posters, photo prints or art prints, the paper or finish, how many and the date you need them.

2. Send your file. PDF is best, and we also accept AI, EPS, JPG and PNG. No file yet? Send your words and images and we'll help.

3. Approve your proof. We check it for free, tell you straight away if anything needs fixing, and send a proof. Nothing prints until you say yes.

4. We print, trim and pack. Printed in our High Wycombe factory, then collected or delivered flat and protected.

Start Your A3 Order

Who Orders A3 Posters and Prints From Us

• Cafes, pubs and restaurants: menus, specials, events and quiz nights.

• Shops and salons: offers, price lists and counter posters.

• Schools and nurseries: notice boards, classroom displays and parents' evening posters. See our school signs for permanent signage.

• Offices and clinics: policies, health and safety notices and staff campaigns.

• Charities, churches and community groups: fundraisers, appeals and event posters in bulk.

• Event organisers and venues: gig posters, programmes and sponsor boards.

• Photographers and artists: A3 photo prints, art prints and prints for sale.

• Estate agents: property posters for windows and boards.

Need Anything to Go With Your A3 Posters?

• Out on the pavement? Pair a set of A3 posters with A-board pavement signs for passing trade.

• Running an event? Add roller banners to frame your stand.

• Want lettering on the glass? Our custom vinyl signs add opening hours and logos to doors and windows.

• Browse everything: see all our products, or book a free consultation for a bigger project.