International Envelope Series
B4
Belonging to the ISO 216 standard, B4 paper size is a significant player in the international paper size arena. This standard, recognized globally except in North America where the ANSI series holds sway, ensures consistency and compatibility across different countries and industries.
The dimensions of B4 paper are 250mm x 353mm or 9.84 inches x 13.90 inches. This makes it larger than A4 but smaller than A3, providing a versatile option for various printing needs. Its unique size allows it to accommodate larger text blocks or images without compromising readability or visual impact.
B4 paper dimensions
Specs
View All International Envelope Series
| Format | in | mm | cm | pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A0 | 46.81 x 66.22 | 1189 x 1682 | 119 x 168 | 3370 x 4768 |
| A12 | 0.51 x 0.71 | 13 x 18 | 1 x 2 | 37 x 51 |
| 4A0 | 66.22 x 93.62 | 1682 x 2378 | 168 x 238 | 4768 x 6741 |
| A11 | 0.71 x 1.02 | 18 x 26 | 2 x 3 | 51 x 74 |
| A10 | 1.02 x 1.46 | 26 x 37 | 3 x 4 | 74 x 105 |
| A3+ | 12.95 x 19.02 | 329 x 483 | 33 x 48 | 933 x 1369 |
| A1+ | 23.98 x 35.98 | 609 x 914 | 61 x 91 | 1726 x 2591 |
| A0+ | 35.98 x 50.87 | 914 x 1292 | 91 x 129 | 2591 x 3662 |
| A6 | 4.13 x 5.83 | 105 x 148 | 11 x 15 | 298 x 420 |
| A5 | 5.83 x 8.27 | 148 x 210 | 15 x 21 | 420 x 595 |
| A4 | 8.27 x 11.69 | 210 x 297 | 21 x 30 | 595 x 842 |
| A3 | 11.69 x 16.54 | 297 x 420 | 30 x 42 | 842 x 1191 |
| A9 | 1.46 x 2.05 | 37 x 52 | 4 x 5 | 105 x 147 |
| A2 | 16.54 x 23.39 | 420 x 594 | 42 x 59 | 1191 x 1684 |
| A8 | 2.05 x 2.91 | 52 x 74 | 5 x 7 | 147 x 210 |
| A1 | 23.39 x 33.11 | 594 x 841 | 59 x 84 | 1684 x 2384 |
| A7 | 2.91 x 4.13 | 74 x 105 | 7 x 11 | 210 x 298 |
| A0 | 33.11 x 46.81 | 841 x 1189 | 84 x 119 | 2384 x 3370 |
Interestingly, B4 is often used in professional settings such as law firms and architectural practices due to its ability to hold legal documents and blueprints effectively. It's also popular in the publishing industry for creating booklets or magazines that require more space than an A4 can provide but less bulkiness than an A3.
Moreover, B4's aspect ratio remains constant even when folded or cut into half - a characteristic inherent to all ISO 216 series sizes. This feature facilitates easy resizing of documents without distorting their proportions, making B4 an efficient choice for scaling projects.
With its unique dimensions and versatility across various industries, the B4 paper size stands as a testament to thoughtful design meeting practical application within the realm of standardized paper sizes.
Other Formats in the International Envelope Series
Interesting facts about B4
B4 Paper: Weird and Interesting Facts
1. Origin of B Series: The B series of paper sizes, including B4, was developed in Germany in the 1920s as part of the DIN 476 standard. It aimed to create a standardized system for paper sizes.
2. Envelope Compatibility: B4 paper measures approximately 250 mm × 353 mm (9.8 in × 13.9 in), making it compatible with C4 envelopes, which are commonly used for mailing documents.
3. In-between Size: B4 is larger than A4 but smaller than A3 paper size. It falls between these two popular sizes and is often used for printing posters, brochures, and other promotional materials.
4. International Usage: While the B series originated in Germany, it has been widely adopted internationally. Many countries around the world use the B series as their standard paper size system.
5. Architectural Drawings: Due to its dimensions and versatility, B4 paper is commonly used by architects for creating scaled drawings and plans.
6. Bookbinding Applications: The dimensions of B4 make it suitable for bookbinding purposes such as creating book covers or printing large-format books with fold-out pages.
7. Artistic Expression: Artists often prefer using B4-sized sketchbooks or loose sheets due to its larger surface area that allows more freedom for creative expression.
8. Historical Significance: Before the introduction of standardized paper sizes like DIN 476, different regions had their own unique systems resulting in a wide variety of non-standardized sizes across countries.
9. ISO Standardization: In 1975, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted the DIN 476 standard as ISO 216, which is the current international standard for paper sizes.
10. B4 in Japan: In Japan, B4 paper is commonly used for printing manga (Japanese comics) and doujinshi (self-published works), as it provides a good balance between size and portability.
