A3 and A4 Paper Sizes:
 Inkjet and Laser Paper

Product References:  A3 and A4 Paper Sizes in inkjet paper and laser paper  
 

A3 and A4: Paper Sizes for Global/International
    business correspondence...
 

For U.S.-based individuals and businesses, printed advertising communications and other correspondence with the International community must observe international paper standards (ISO paper sizes).  Even though the U.S has officially adopted metric standards, the practical integration of these sizes within the U.S. has not yet occurred.  The U.S. is still reliant on traditional English paper sizes...8.5" x 11" letter size paper, etc.

Of the three most common ISO papers, two sizes, A3 and A4, are particularly important.  The A3 and A4 paper sizes are functionally equivalent to tabloid size paper and letter size paper in the U.S.  The actual sizes are as follows...

  A3 paper = 297 x 420 millimeters (11.69 x 16.54 inches)
  A4 paper = 210 x 297 millimeters  (8.27 x 11.69 inches)

Document conversion considerations... 

U.S.-originated documents created on traditional U.S. paper sizes will need to be converted to the A3 and A4 paper sizes.  Unfortunately, the dimension ratios of these two paper standards (ISO vs. English) are different enough to occasionally create difficulty when converting from an English size to the corresponding ISO equivalent. 

Conversion difficulties will depend on the amount and layout of the content on an original 8.5" x 11" sheet, for example.  To make the same content fit on an A4 sheet, the expedient solution requires margin changes, font size reduction or content editing (to reduce or re-size the amount of content).  The same process applies when converting an original 11" x 17" sheet to an A3 sheet.  

Despite the occasional difficulty when converting to the A3 and A4 paper sizes, there is no alternative if you want to make a professional and courteous impression with International companies and individuals outside of the United States.

The A3 and A4 paper sizes are typically used
for the following types of applications: 

A3 paper, which is functionally equivalent to tabloid size paper (11 x 17 paper), is appropriate for bi-fold brochures and other full-size presentation or advertising documents.  A4 paper, functionally equivalent to letter size paper (8.5 x 11), is the appropriate paper size for correspondence, records, and invoices.

Inkjet and Laser Paper Specifications:

Product information for inkjet and laser paper in the A3 and A4 paper sizes is available from the cross-reference charts (indexed by paper size): 

Paper-size charts:    A3 paper size   A4 paper size   

Or refer to the 24 lb. bright white bond product pages:
Bright white bond:    Inkjet Paper    Laser Paper
 

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Technical info on ISO A sizes:   ISO Paper Standards from Markus Kuhn, University of Cambridge

Papers by Size:    Printer Paper charts by paper size

More Articles:   Product Guides, FAQs, & References

Site Links:  All Printer Papers (by Size)   

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