A1 or A2 Poster in Your Window: How to Choose the Format That Actually Gets Seen
Choosing between an A1 and an A2 poster for your window comes down mostly to reading distance and how much glass you have to work with. An A1 poster (594 x 841 mm, roughly 23.4 x 33.1 in) reads from across the street, while an A2 (420 x 594 mm, roughly 16.5 x 23.4 in) suits closer foot traffic and busier windows. The rule that matters: your message has to stay legible without effort for anyone walking past.
How far away do your guests actually read your window?
Reading distance is the first thing to check. An A1 poster stays readable from about 8 to 12 meters (26 to 40 feet), which suits wide streets, spacious terraces, or venues set back from the sidewalk. An A2 works well between 4 and 7 meters (13 to 23 feet), matching pedestrian streets, shopping arcades, and dense downtown blocks where people walk close to the storefront.
Watch how your guests actually behave. In a spot with heavy car traffic, an A1 poster catches attention from moving vehicles. On a shopping street where pedestrians stroll and stop at each storefront, an A2 gives enough impact without overwhelming the space.
How much glass do you actually have to work with?
The proportion between the poster and your total window area sets the visual balance. An A1 poster needs at least 2 square meters (about 21.5 sq ft) of clear glass to breathe. In a small bistro or bar window, it risks crowding the space and blocking the view inside, which can feel closed off rather than inviting.
An A2 poster fits better in a smaller or already busy window, alongside a chalkboard menu, hour stickers, or partner logos. It lets you layer several messages without confusion. For a restaurant with a panoramic window, you can even install a few A2 posters in a composition instead of one central A1, building a visual rhythm.
What format suits what message
The content you are communicating should drive the format choice. An A1 poster suits bold visuals with little text: a photo of a signature dish, an announcement for Sunday brunch, a themed night. The larger surface amplifies the emotional impact of a strong image and allows large type that reads instantly.
An A2 poster suits more detailed messages: a wine list, a daily menu with several starters and mains, the terms of a special offer, seasonal hours. The smaller surface naturally pushes toward a structured, hierarchical layout that makes the essential information easy to scan quickly.
Technical points worth knowing
| Format | Size | Stock |
|---|---|---|
| A1 poster | 594 x 841 mm (23.4 x 33.1 in) | 200 gsm matte |
| A2 poster | 420 x 594 mm (16.5 x 23.4 in) | 200 gsm matte |
Both formats are printed on 200 gsm matte paper, which holds up reasonably well indoors without curling and avoids the distracting glare that makes glossy posters hard to read at certain angles of natural or artificial light.
If you are used to ordering posters in common US sizes, an A2 sits close to an 18 x 24 in print and an A1 sits just under a 24 x 36 in print, without being an exact match to either. Local production across more than 30 countries, including France, keeps turnaround times short and print quality consistent. For a window exposed to direct sun, plan on regular replacement regardless of size, since colors naturally fade under UV over time.
Positioning your poster for maximum visibility
Mounting height matters as much as format. Place the center of an A1 poster between 1.5 and 1.7 meters (about 5 to 5.5 feet) from the floor, matching the natural eye line of a standing adult. An A2 poster gives you more flexibility: it can sit lower, near a window-side banquette, or higher, above a display stand.
Avoid blind spots created by door frames, posts, or permanent decor. Test visibility from several vantage points: the opposite sidewalk, and both a left and right approach. A poorly placed A1 loses its size advantage, while a well-placed A2 captures attention effectively.
Can you combine both formats?
Combining A1 and A2 works well to create a hierarchy of messages. Install an A1 for your main communication (a flagship event, a new menu, a seasonal reopening) and add one or two A2 posters for secondary information (hours, lunch menu, open terrace). This approach naturally guides the guest's eye from the main message to the practical details.
In venues with several windows or a corner storefront, alternate formats to build visual rhythm without monotony. An A1 by the main entrance draws people in from the street, while A2 posters on side windows hold the attention of passersby already headed your way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a poster stay effective in a window?
Effectiveness depends less on the format than on the content. Swap out posters as soon as the information goes stale or the colors visibly fade. For event-based communication, take the poster down the day after the event: an outdated poster hurts your professional image. For an ongoing message like your menu, refresh it every two to three months to keep a sense of freshness, even if the content barely changes.
How much text can stay legible in a window poster?
Keep a punchy headline of 5 to 8 words and three to five lines of supporting text at most. On an A1, use a headline of at least 60 points and body text of at least 30 points. On an A2, rarely go below 45 points for the headline and 24 points for the body. Stick to sans-serif type, which stays crisp from a distance. A simple test: if you have to squint to read it from 5 meters, the text is too small.
Should I choose portrait or landscape orientation?
Portrait orientation suits tall, narrow windows, typical of older downtown storefronts. It guides the eye from top to bottom, ideal for a headline, visual, and practical information in that order. Landscape suits wider, lower modern storefronts, common in newer retail areas, and lets you place several visual elements side by side, great for showcasing a range of dishes or products.
What is the difference between posting inside versus outside the window?
A poster mounted on the inside of the glass is protected from weather and vandalism, which extends its lifespan, and stays easy for your team to swap without stepping outside. Outdoor display, on a facade, panel, or sandwich board, requires materials built for UV and humidity, different from standard paper. For your A1 and A2 matte paper posters, always mount them inside the window to preserve print quality.
Should the format change with the season or foot traffic?
Adjust your format to match activity swings. In high tourist season, favor an A1 to catch the eye of passing visitors discovering the area and comparing options quickly. Off season, an A2 is often enough to reach your regular local guests, who already know you and are simply checking for what is new. Alternating this way also refreshes your window's look without multiplying permanent fixtures. The Studio lets you preview your artwork at both formats before you print, and the catalog shows the venue types each size tends to suit best.
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