How to choose the magazine size for printing:
A4, A5 and custom

A4, A5, or custom – how to choose a magazine size to avoid redoing the layout. Reading scenarios, test spreads, the impact of format on tables and photos, and common mistakes in specifications and acceptance.

Before discussing the magazine’s print format, agree on the basics: where and how the magazine will be read; what sections should appear on the spread (cover, table of contents, advertising); how much visual content and how important is the legibility of small details; how and where the magazine will be distributed (in person, on a stand, in an envelope); are there any storage and delivery restrictions.

A4, A5, or Custom: What’s Your Magazine’s Scenario?

A4 is often chosen for corporate and industry publications, where a clear grid, large tables, infographics, and photographs are essential. A5 is suitable when the magazine is used as a handout at an event, as a compact guide, or as a product that needs to be easy to take with you. Non-standard sizes create the effect of a "different object," but usually require more careful consideration of the grid, margins, and layout coordination to maintain readability.

Clarification of formats

To quickly check basic formats and terms before talking to a printing company, you can rely on this material on magazine printing .

After reading, go back to your script and check which layout elements will be size-sensitive.

How format influences perception, navigation, and content density

Size affects how easy a magazine is to read. With a larger format, it’s easier to make headlines and captions larger, and tables and photos need to be compressed less often.
With a compact format, it’s more important to decide in advance what will be on two adjacent pages (spreads) and not try to fit too much. A quick test: print 1-2 typical pages in A4 and A5 sizes. If the text becomes too small on the smaller format, photo captions are difficult to read, and tables have to be broken or significantly reduced, then it’s better to adapt the layout to A5 size rather than simply reduce it as is.

A practical test is to print out 2-3 standard spreads in different sizes and give them to people from the target audience to read.

The most common mistakes in the specifications and layout when choosing the size

• The format is chosen “out of habit,” without checking how the magazine will be held, flipped through, and carried.
• They make a layout for A4, and then “compress” it into A5 without reassembling the grid and typography.
• They don’t take into account margins and bleeds, which is why important elements end up too close to the edge.
• They confuse the page size and the size after cropping, so the expected dimensions do not match.
• They will agree on the size without checking how tables, infographics, and advertising modules fit into it.

How to quickly compare 2-3 format options without getting lost in the details

1. Choose two reading scenarios: “in the office on a desk” and “on the go,” and evaluate which size is more comfortable in each.
2. Take the same test spread and figure out what would have to be changed in the grid if you switched from A4 to A5 or vice versa.
3. Check content restrictions: are there any elements for which width is critical (tables, columns, large photos).
4. Formulate a summary of the details that are important to you: readability, portability, visual impact, and layout control.

Acceptance of results: 3 actions that really work

Ask for a printed sample or proof copy and check two or three spreads with varying content density: text, photos, and tables.
Then evaluate the "reading flow": is the content visible, are the headings easy to find, and are the captions missing?
Finally, do a distribution test: how does the magazine fit into an envelope, folder, or stand, and does it feel "too big" or "too small."

FAQ

When should the format be fixed – before or after layout?

It’s better to do it before layout, otherwise the grid and typography will have to be rebuilt, and this adds to the iteration of approval.

Is it possible to choose a non-standard size if you want to stand out?

Yes, but check first for readability and how the non-standard will affect the grid, margins, and layout alignment.

How to reduce the risk of surprises when calculating and printing?

Provide the printing house with 2-3 test spreads and a brief description of the use case – this will make it easier to agree on expectations regarding format and revisions.