Are you printing in A format?
Knowing DL size and other common formats matters, whether you work in graphic design or do any kind of print job for your workplace or business.
We’ll walk you through all the details you need to know about the DL format — one of the most widely used sizes, especially for brochures — so you get the best results when printing in this format.
What does a DL-sized sheet look like?
DL measures 99 mm × 210 mm, exactly one third of A4. It’s the standard size for cards and invitations, as well as promotional materials such as brochures, flyers and leaflets. DL stands for “DIN Long.”
When buying paper, envelopes and cards, or printing brochures, flyers and leaflets, it’s important to consider size. A larger size offers more space to convey your message, but sometimes less is more, and smaller sizes can create a bigger impact. Below —
Knowing the pixel density (pixels per inch) of any format matters for any print job, because if we don’t use the correct pixel resolution for the type of project, the results may not turn out as expected, or we may end up with a poorly printed, pixelated product.
If we’re designing a flyer for a website, the most suitable resolution is 72 or 96 ppi (pixels per inch).
If we’re printing a document in DL size, we can use resolutions of 150 or 300 ppi, but for any kind of print job, it’s always recommended that the project have a minimum resolution of 300 ppi to achieve very good print quality. PPI stands for pixels per inch.
If we’re doing any kind of printing or design work for international clients, it can be very useful to know other units of measurement, since measurement systems aren’t universal and some countries use different ones from our own.
Frequently asked questions about DL size
What kinds of products is the DL format typically used for?
The products for which DL size is most commonly used in printing are:
- Brochures
- Booklets
- Booklets, journals and small books
- Greeting cards, event cards and postcards
When is DL size used?
These brochures are primarily used for outdoor promotions such as advertisements for new credit cards, restaurant menus and similar. While their vertical orientation only supports portrait layouts, they offer plenty of room for marketing copy and attention-grabbing text. You can use this feature to convey a touching or inspiring message to potential customers and show them your brand’s sincerity. The text can also tell the story of your company or the products and services you offer.
At the same time, they’re small enough to be carried and distributed comfortably even at large events like conferences or trade fairs, while still being visible. Recipients of your brochures will also be able to carry them around without any difficulty. This means they’re more likely to refer back to them later rather than simply throwing them away. What’s more, you can choose from a wide range of folds, including tri-fold, Z-fold, half-fold, or simply unfolded.
For example, DL Z-fold brochures allow more information and more sophisticated design to be included compared to a simply folded brochure. Tri-fold brochures are especially recommended for trade fairs and exhibitions, since the folds create more structure between different pieces of information. They also allow room for a map to be included. Finally, tri-fold brochures are often used for longer text and heavier visual elements, and can also serve as a folder for storing additional documents.
If you’re planning to attend a special event such as a branch opening or trade fair where potential customer engagement is likely to be high, choosing DL brochures is ideal.
Why is it important to know DL measurements?
If you want to achieve the best possible result when printing any project in DL format, you need to know the measurements so you can set up the design correctly and avoid likely printing errors.