Business Cards Series
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, in its unique approach to paper sizes, adheres to the ISO 216 standard. This international standard is a direct result of the German DIN 476 standard from 1922. It is a series that includes A, B and C sizes, each serving different purposes.
Delving into the A series under ISO 216, it's intriguing to note that each successive size is approximately half the size of the preceding one when folded parallel to the shorter lengths. The most commonly used size in this series is A4, measuring precisely 210 by 297 millimeters. This format has gained widespread acceptance in businesses across the UK for documents ranging from letters to forms and brochures.
United Kingdom paper dimensions
Specs
View All Business Cards 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 |
Simultaneously, there exists an interesting relationship between these dimensions: they maintain an aspect ratio of √2 (approximately equal to 1:1.41), which ensures that two pages next to each other equal the area of the next paper size up.
Moving on to B series under ISO 216 - these are less commonly used but serve as a larger alternative when more space is required than provided by A series formats. The B1 format measures at about double the dimensions of an A1 sheet.
The C series within ISO 216 caters specifically for envelopes and folders designed to accommodate A series paper sizes. For instance, a C4 envelope can comfortably fit an unfolded A4 sheet.
While ANSI standards dominate North America's paper industry, it's noteworthy that UK's adherence to ISO standards has led its influence over global document-related practices - making it easier for businesses worldwide to align their operations with standardized formats.
Other Formats in the Business Cards Series
Interesting facts about United Kingdom
1: The A Series Paper Sizes
The A series paper sizes, commonly used in the United Kingdom and many other countries, were first introduced by the German scientist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg in the 18th century. These sizes are based on a simple mathematical formula where each size is half the area of the next larger size.
2: The Royal Size
The Royal size, measuring approximately 20 x 25 inches (508 x 635 mm), was once a popular paper size in the United Kingdom. It was commonly used for printing large maps, posters, and book illustrations.
3: The Foolscap Size
Foolscap was a traditional British paper size measuring approximately 8.5 x 13.5 inches (216 x 343 mm). Its name originated from the watermark of a fool's cap that appeared on this type of paper during its production.
4: The Quarto Size
The Quarto size, also known as Crown Quarto or simply Quarto, measures approximately 8.5 x 10.83 inches (216 x 275 mm). It is commonly used for books and publications where a larger page format is desired.
5: British Imperial Paper Sizes
Prior to adopting the metric system, Britain had its own set of imperial paper sizes which included Double Crown (30 x 40 inches), Double Demy (22.5 x 35 inches), and Quad Crown (40 x60 inches). These sizes were widely used for posters and large format printing.
6: Watermarked Banknotes
In the United Kingdom, banknotes are often printed on paper with a unique watermark. These watermarks are created during the papermaking process and serve as a security feature to prevent counterfeiting.
7: The British Library's Paper Collection
The British Library in London houses an extensive collection of papers, including rare and historic examples. This collection serves as a valuable resource for researchers, conservators, and anyone interested in the history of paper.
8: The Great Exhibition of 1851
The Great Exhibition held in London in 1851 showcased various advancements in technology and industry. One notable exhibit was the Paper Making Machine, which demonstrated the mechanization of paper production and its impact on society.
9: The Dandy Roll Invention
In 1826, John Marshall, an English papermaker, invented the Dandy Roll. This device allowed for the production of continuous lengths of paper with consistent texture by impressing patterns onto the wet pulp during manufacturing.
10: British Paper Mills
The United Kingdom has a rich history of paper mills dating back centuries. Some notable historic mills include Frogmore Mill in Hemel Hempstead (the world's oldest mechanized paper mill still in operation) and Stowford Mill in Devon (known for producing high-quality handmade papers).
