Paper - The Graphic Design: Reference and Specification - page 61

Chapter 7: Paper

n o r t h a m e r i c a n s h e e t s i z e s
Most paper manufactured and sold in North America is measured in inches. Sheet sizes
are based on trimming a quantity of 8 1 ⁄ 2 " × 11" (216 × 279 mm) items or pages from a
single sheet with a minimum of waste. Some sheet sizes, such as 11" × 17" (279 ×
432 mm), are exact multiples of the 8 1 ⁄ 2 " × 11" (216 × 279 mm) inch standard. Other
sheet sizes are also based on multiples of 8 1 ⁄ 2 " × 11" (216 × 279 mm), but are slightly
oversized to accommodate on-press requirements. For instance, a 23" × 35" (584 ×
889 mm) inch sheet would yield sixteen trimmed 8 1 ⁄ 2 " × 11" (216 × 279 mm) flyers or a
sixteen-page signature while allowing a narrow margin for bleeds, grippers, and color bars.

25" × 38" 635 × 965 mm
23" × 35" 584 × 889 mm

19" × 25" 483 × 635 mm
17 1 ⁄ 2 " × 22 1 ⁄ 2 " 445 × 572 mm

11" × 17" 279 × 432 mm

8 1 ⁄ 2 " × 11"
216 × 279 mm

Printers in North America use sheets measured in inches with sizes based on multiples of 8 1 ⁄ 2 " × 11" (216 × 279 mm) inches.

n o r t h a m e r i c a n s h e e t s i z e s a n d m e t r i c e q u i v a l e n t s

Size (inches) Size (millimeters)

8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11 216 × 279

11 × 17 279 × 432

17 1 ⁄ 2 × 22 1 ⁄ 2 445 × 572

19 × 25 483 × 635

23 × 35 584 × 889

25 × 38 635 × 965