Print sizes explained: A4, A5, A6 and DL

In Australia, the everyday print sizes are A4 (210×297mm), A5 (148×210mm), A6 (105×148mm) and DL (99×210mm). Each A size is simply the one above folded or cut in half — and DL is a third of an A4, sized to fit a standard envelope.

The A series at a glance

A4 — 210 × 297mm. The standard page. Letterheads, single-sheet flyers, posters when folded.
A5 — 148 × 210mm. Half an A4. The most popular flyer and booklet size.
A6 — 105 × 148mm. Half an A5. Postcards, compact flyers, invitations.
A3 — 297 × 420mm. Twice an A4. Small posters and notices.
A2 — 420 × 594mm and A1 — 594 × 841mm. Larger posters and signage.

How the A series actually works

The clever part is that every A size shares the same proportions (a ratio of 1:1.41), so halving or doubling never distorts your artwork. Cut an A3 in half and you get two A4s; cut an A4 in half and you get two A5s. That is why you can scale a design up or down the series without redrawing it, and why two A5 pages sit perfectly on one A4 sheet for booklet printing. The whole system is an international standard (ISO 216) used across Australia, the UK and Europe — the odd one out is North America, which uses “Letter” and “Legal” sizes instead.

What is DL?

DL (99 × 210mm) is a third of an A4 sheet — the classic slimline size for a tri-fold brochure or a flyer that fits a standard DL envelope. It is a favourite for letterbox drops because it is cheap to print and easy to post. The name is short for “Dimension Lengthwise”. Two things worth knowing: a DL brochure usually starts life as a flat A4 that is folded into three, and a DL envelope is a touch larger than the DL sheet so your flyer slides in without jamming.

Matching size to the job

Business cards: 90 × 55mm is the Australian standard.
Flyers and leaflets: A5 for a substantial handout, A6 for a cheap high-volume drop, DL for something that posts easily.
Brochures: DL (folded A4), or A4 folded to A5.
Posters: A3 for shop windows and noticeboards, A2 or A1 for street-level visibility.
Letterheads and reports: A4, every time.

Which size should you choose?

As a rough guide: DL or A6 for handouts and mail-outs, A5 for a standard flyer, A4 when you need maximum space, and A3 up for posters. Two practical questions settle most decisions — how will people receive it (in the hand, in the letterbox, on a wall?), and how much do you actually need to say? A dense message needs the room of an A5 or A4; a single punchy offer works fine on a DL. If you are still unsure, tell us how the piece will be used and we will suggest a size.

Envelope and folded sizes

Print sizes and folding go hand in hand. A flat A4 folded once becomes an A5 card or booklet page; folded into three it becomes a DL brochure; folded into a Z or gate fold it still fits a DL envelope. Match your finished piece to a stock envelope size and posting stays cheap and simple. The common Australian envelope sizes are DL (110 × 220mm) for a folded A4 or a DL flyer, C5 (162 × 229mm) for an unfolded A5 or a folded A4, and C4 (229 × 324mm) for a flat, unfolded A4. If a document must not be folded — a certificate or a signed contract — size the envelope up to C4 rather than forcing an A4 into a DL.

Portrait or landscape

Every A size and DL can run either way. Portrait (tall) is the default for letters, flyers and menus; landscape (wide) suits presentations, tent cards and some brochures. The dimensions do not change — an A5 is 148 × 210mm whichever way you turn it — but tell us the orientation so the artwork trims and folds the right way up.

Print size FAQ

Which envelope fits a folded A4?

A DL envelope (110 × 220mm) fits an A4 folded into three, and a C5 (162 × 229mm) fits an A4 folded once into A5.

Is A4 the same as US Letter?

No. A4 is 210 × 297mm; US Letter is 216 × 279mm — wider and shorter. If you are working from an American template, reset it to A4 before you send artwork, or the margins will not sit right.

What size is a DL envelope?

A standard DL envelope is 110 × 220mm, slightly larger than the 99 × 210mm DL sheet so the contents fit without forcing.

Can I print a custom size?

Yes. The A series and DL cover most jobs, but we cut to custom sizes too — square flyers, tall menus, whatever suits the design. Just tell us the finished dimensions.