September 7, 2026
By Livy Phillips | American Guerrilla Marketing
When someone asks about regular poster board measurements, they usually need a specific answer. They are planning a school project. They are ordering signage for a retail display. They are putting together materials for a trade show or event. Whatever the case, the word “regular” has a real, measurable answer in the world of poster boards.
The regular or standard poster board in the United States measures 22 inches by 28 inches. That is the size you find at office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot. It fits standard retail floor stands. It is used in grocery store promotional displays, school projects, and small-business signage. It is the benchmark size that the display industry has standardized around.
But poster boards come in more than one size and more than one material. The measurements change depending on whether you are talking about paper boards, foam core, or tri-fold display boards. This guide covers all of them.
| Board Type | Regular Size | Other Common Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Poster Board | 22 x 28 inches | 14×22, 24×36 |
| Foam Core Board | 20 x 30 inches | 24×36, 30×40, 32×40 |
| Tri-Fold Display Board | 36 x 48 inches (open) | 28×40, 36×48 |
| Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast) | 24 x 36 inches | 18×24, 48×96 (full sheet) |
| Gator Board | 24 x 36 inches | 30×40, 40×60 |
Each board type has its own standard because each serves a different primary function. Paper boards are sold in retail stores for craft and educational use, so they match retail display standards. Foam core boards are sold through art supply and professional display channels, where the 20×30 format suits framing and mounting applications. Tri-fold boards are sized to stand upright on a table, which drives the 36×48 measurement.
A paper poster board is exactly what the name says. A thick, flexible sheet of paper-based stock. These boards come in white, black, fluorescent, and pastel colors. You have used one of these if you have ever made a school science fair display or a handmade sale sign.
The regular measurement is 22×28 inches. Here is what that means in practice:
Paper boards are not rigid. They flex and can curl in humid conditions. They are designed for indoor use only. For display, they need to be placed in a frame, easel, or floor stand that provides support. They cannot stand on their own.
A smaller standard exists at 14×22 inches. This is sometimes called a “half-sheet” in retail signage contexts. It fits smaller display cases, countertop holders, and compact sign frames. It is proportionally similar to the 22×28 full size.
Some retailers stock 24×36 paper boards for customers who need a larger display surface. This size is more common in craft stores and art supply shops than in standard office supply stores. It requires a larger frame or display fixture to hold it properly.
The 22×28 is the Retail Standard
If you are ordering in-store promotional signage, floor stand inserts, or point-of-purchase displays, design everything at 22×28 inches. This is the size that commercial display fixture manufacturers build their hardware around. Use a different size and you will need custom hardware or creative mounting solutions.
Foam core is a different material with different standard measurements. These are rigid panels used for mounting artwork, creating freestanding displays, and building trade show exhibits.
The most common foam core size in craft and art supply stores is 20×30 inches. Here is the breakdown:
| Foam Core Size | Where It Is Sold | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| 11 x 14 inches | Art supply stores | Photo mounting, small displays |
| 16 x 20 inches | Art supply stores | Portrait mounting, medium displays |
| 20 x 30 inches | Craft and art supply stores | Posters, trade show panels, mounting |
| 24 x 36 inches | Commercial print shops | Large-format prints, trade show backdrops |
| 30 x 40 inches | Commercial suppliers | Exhibition panels, gallery displays |
| 48 x 96 inches | Commercial suppliers (full sheet) | Cut-to-size applications |
Foam core comes in standard thicknesses of 3/16 inch and 1/2 inch. The 3/16-inch is the most common. It is rigid enough for freestanding displays up to 24 inches wide and light enough to hang without heavy hardware. The 1/2-inch is used for archival, gallery, and heavy-duty exhibition applications.
Tri-fold display boards are the standing three-panel boards you see at science fairs, trade show tabletop displays, and school presentations. The standard measurement is 36 inches tall by 48 inches wide when fully unfolded.
Folded into its display configuration, a standard tri-fold board creates:
The total display depth (how far it extends front to back when open) is typically 12 to 14 inches. The board stands on its own when the two side panels are angled slightly forward.
Some tri-fold boards are made of foam core laminate for a more professional look. Others are made of the same paper board material as standard poster boards. The foam core tri-fold is more expensive but significantly more durable and polished-looking.
Tri-Fold Board Measurement Tip
The 36×48 measurement refers to the unfolded dimensions. When ordering graphics to apply to a tri-fold, measure each panel separately and leave 1/4 inch of bleed at panel edges to account for hinge gaps. Never order a single 36×48 print expecting it to cover the entire front of a tri-fold board cleanly.
Corrugated plastic boards are used for outdoor signage where weather resistance matters. They are made of a polypropylene core between two flat plastic faces, similar to corrugated cardboard in structure but waterproof.
Standard Coroplast sizes include:
Coroplast comes in 4mm and 6mm thickness. The 4mm is lighter and used for temporary signage. The 6mm is more rigid and used for longer-term outdoor applications. Both are weatherproof and hold up in rain, wind, and sunlight far better than any paper-based material.
Choosing the right board measurement is more than about the board itself. It affects:
The most common retail floor stands accept 22×28 boards. Easels and tabletop stands have specific size ranges. Foam core boards in a 30×40 format may not fit a standard frame. Always check hardware specifications before ordering boards or prints.
Standard sizes print faster and cheaper than custom sizes. A 22×28 board from a major print vendor ships in 1 to 3 business days at standard rates. A custom 25×35 board may require special cutting and longer lead times. Stick to standard measurements when possible to control cost and turnaround.
Larger boards are seen from farther away. A 22×28 is readable from about 15 to 20 feet with proper headline sizing. A 24×36 board reads from 20 to 30 feet. For high-traffic environments, size up. For close-range, intimate spaces, standard 22×28 is more than sufficient.
The regular or standard poster board measures 22 inches by 28 inches. This is the most common size sold in office supply and craft stores across the United States. Foam core boards most commonly measure 20×30 inches at the retail level.
A standard tri-fold board measures 36 inches tall by 48 inches wide when fully unfolded. When set up as a standing display, the center panel is approximately 22 inches wide and the two side panels are approximately 12 to 13 inches wide each.
No. The most common paper poster board is 22×28 inches. The most common foam core board sold in retail stores is 20×30 inches. Commercial foam core is often 24×36 or 30×40. The size difference reflects the different markets and applications each material serves.
Most retail floor stands accept 22×28 inch sign inserts. This is the dominant commercial standard for point-of-purchase signage hardware. Always confirm the exact slot dimensions of your specific display hardware before ordering boards.
For small outdoor signs and yard signs, 18×24 Coroplast is standard. For larger outdoor displays, 24×36 is the preferred size. Both are available in 4mm and 6mm thickness. The 4mm is adequate for most temporary signage. Use 6mm for longer-term installations.
A standard paper poster board is approximately 0.024 to 0.032 inches thick. That is about 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters. It is flexible and not self-supporting. It needs a frame, easel, or display stand to hold it upright.
Yes, but custom sizes cost more and take longer to produce. Most commercial sign shops can cut foam core or Coroplast to any dimension. Paper poster boards are typically only available in standard sizes from mass-market retail channels. For custom measurements, work with a sign shop or commercial printer.
Generally no. Brand-name boards from Elmer’s, Pacon, and similar manufacturers all adhere to the 22×28 standard for regular poster boards. There can be very minor variations of 1/8 inch or less due to manufacturing tolerances, but the nominal dimensions are consistent across brands.
The regular or standard poster board measures 22 inches by 28 inches. This is the most common size sold in office supply and craft stores across the United States. Foam core boards most commonly measure 20×30 inches at the retail level.
A standard tri-fold board measures 36 inches tall by 48 inches wide when fully unfolded. When set up as a standing display, the center panel is approximately 22 inches wide and the two side panels are approximately 12 to 13 inches wide each.
No. The most common paper poster board is 22×28 inches. The most common foam core board sold in retail stores is 20×30 inches. Commercial foam core is often 24×36 or 30×40. The size difference reflects the different markets and applications each material serves.
Most retail floor stands accept 22×28 inch sign inserts. This is the dominant commercial standard for point-of-purchase signage hardware. Always confirm the exact slot dimensions of your specific display hardware before ordering boards.
For small outdoor signs and yard signs, 18×24 Coroplast is standard. For larger outdoor displays, 24×36 is the preferred size. Both are available in 4mm and 6mm thickness. The 4mm is adequate for most temporary signage. Use 6mm for longer-term installations.
A standard paper poster board is approximately 0.024 to 0.032 inches thick. That is about 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters. It is flexible and not self-supporting. It needs a frame, easel, or display stand to hold it upright.
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For more on this, explore our street team activations.
Yes, but custom sizes cost more and take longer to produce. Most commercial sign shops can cut foam core or Coroplast to any dimension. Paper poster boards are typically only available in standard sizes from mass-market retail channels. For custom measurements, work with a sign shop or commercial printer.
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