A straight-talking guide from Focus Media Outdoor — over 20 years in the industry
Whether you’re a designer preparing artwork for a client’s outdoor campaign or a business owner trying to understand what sizes and formats are available, getting your OOH specifications right is absolutely critical. Submit artwork at the wrong size, wrong resolution or wrong file format and it won’t go to print — causing delays and potentially missing your campaign start date. This guide covers every major OOH format used in the UK — print sizes, digital sizes, bleed requirements, resolution and file formats — all in one place. If you need help with your artwork, our design and print team handle everything from concept through to print-ready files built to the exact specifications required.
Quick Reference — OOH Format Sizes at a Glance
Sizes vary slightly by supplier — always confirm with your specific supplier before artwork production.
Static OOH Format Specifications
Static OOH formats use printed vinyl or paper posters. All print artwork should be supplied at 1:10 scale at 30-40 DPI (which equates to full size at 3-4 DPI), or at full size at the appropriate resolution. Always include bleed as specified by the supplier.
96 Sheet Billboard
Print Size: 6000 x 3000mm (approx. 40ft x 10ft) | Digital Size: Not applicable — print only
Bleed: 100mm all sides | Resolution: 30 DPI at 1:10 scale (300 DPI full scale equivalent)
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Confirm with supplier
The 96 sheet is the largest standard billboard format in the UK. Available in landscape orientation. Artwork should be bold and simple — readable from 100m+ at speed.
48 Sheet Billboard
Print Size: 6000 x 3000mm (approx. 20ft x 10ft) — confirm with supplier | Digital Size: Not applicable — print only
Bleed: 100mm all sides | Resolution: 30 DPI at 1:10 scale
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Confirm with supplier
The standard UK billboard — the most widely available and most commonly booked outdoor format. Some suppliers use a slightly different size so always confirm before production. For full pricing information, take a look at our billboard advertising cost guide.
32 Sheet Billboard
Print Size: 4000 x 3000mm | Digital Size: Not applicable — print only
Bleed: 100mm all sides | Resolution: 30 DPI at 1:10 scale
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Confirm with supplier
Less common than 48 sheet but available at some locations. Same production principles apply — bold, simple creative that reads quickly.
16 Sheet
Print Size: 2000 x 1500mm (approx.) — confirm with supplier | Digital Size: Not applicable — print only
Bleed: 50mm all sides | Resolution: 30-40 DPI at 1:10 scale
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Confirm with supplier
Available at some train stations, shopping centres and high street locations. A good mid-size format for environments with more dwell time.
12 Sheet
Print Size: 1524 x 1016mm | Digital Size: Not applicable — print only
Bleed: 50mm all sides | Resolution: 40 DPI at 1:10 scale
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Confirm with supplier
Available at some retail and transit locations. Less common than 6 sheet and 48 sheet but worth knowing.
6 Sheet — Bus Stop and Retail
Print Size: 1200 x 1800mm (portrait) — 6ft x 4ft | Digital Size: 1080 x 1920px (portrait)
Bleed: 20mm all sides | Resolution: 40-50 DPI at 1:10 scale (or 400-500 DPI at full size for small format)
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Up to 40MB
The most widely used small format OOH — found at bus stops, train stations, shopping centres and retail parks. Available as both static print and digital. The same size as a standard bus stop advert.
4 Sheet
Print Size: 1016 x 1524mm (portrait) | Digital Size: Not applicable — print only
Bleed: 20mm all sides | Resolution: 40-50 DPI at 1:10 scale
File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS — all fonts outlined, all images embedded | Max File Size: Confirm with supplier
Slightly smaller than a 6 sheet. Available at some retail, leisure and transit locations. Less common but worth knowing for specific campaign requirements.
Digital OOH Format Specifications
Digital OOH formats display on LED screens and require digital artwork files rather than printed posters. Always confirm specifications with your specific supplier before producing artwork — screen resolutions and accepted file formats can vary between networks.
Digital 48 Sheet Billboard
Print Size: Not applicable — digital only | Digital Size: 1920 x 1080px (landscape) — confirm with supplier
Bleed: Not applicable | Resolution: 72 DPI (screen resolution)
File Formats: Static: JPEG or PNG. Animated: MP4 (H.264 codec). Some suppliers accept HTML5. | Max File Size: Static: up to 2MB. Animated: up to 50MB — confirm with supplier
Digital billboards typically rotate on a 10-second loop alongside other advertisers. Keep animated content simple and impactful — avoid text-heavy animations that can’t be read in time.
Digital 6 Sheet — Clear Channel Adshel Live
Print Size: Not applicable — digital only | Digital Size: 1080 x 1920px (portrait)
Bleed: Not applicable | Resolution: 72 DPI
File Formats: Static: JPEG or PNG. Animated: MP4 (H.264 codec). | Max File Size: Static: up to 2MB. Animated: up to 40MB
Clear Channel’s Adshel Live network is one of the UK’s largest digital 6 sheet networks, found at bus stops and retail locations. Adverts can be bought by share of time or individual plays. Always confirm specs directly with Clear Channel before submitting.
Digital 6 Sheet — JCDecaux
Print Size: Not applicable — digital only | Digital Size: 1080 x 1920px (portrait) — confirm with JCDecaux
Bleed: Not applicable | Resolution: 72 DPI
File Formats: Static: JPEG or PNG. Animated: MP4 (H.264 codec). | Max File Size: Confirm with JCDecaux
JCDecaux operates digital 6 sheet screens at bus stops, shopping centres, airports and train stations across the UK. Specifications can vary by network and location — always confirm directly with JCDecaux or through your agency before artwork production.
Digital 6 Sheet — Global (Outdoor)
Print Size: Not applicable — digital only | Digital Size: 1080 x 1920px (portrait) — confirm with Global
Bleed: Not applicable | Resolution: 72 DPI
File Formats: Static: JPEG or PNG. Animated: MP4 (H.264 codec). | Max File Size: Confirm with Global
Global’s outdoor digital network includes screens at shopping centres, roadside locations and transit environments. As with all suppliers, always confirm current specifications before submitting artwork.
General Artwork Guidelines for All OOH Formats
Regardless of format, there are a few golden rules that apply to all OOH artwork:
Colour Mode
All print artwork must be supplied in CMYK colour mode — not RGB. RGB is for screens; CMYK is for print. Supplying artwork in RGB will result in colour shifts when printed and may cause your artwork to be rejected. Digital OOH artwork should be supplied in RGB.
Fonts
All fonts must be outlined (converted to paths) before supplying print artwork. This prevents font substitution if the supplier doesn’t have your font installed. In Adobe Illustrator: Select All → Type → Create Outlines. In InDesign: export as PDF with fonts embedded.
Images
All placed images must be embedded in your artwork file, not linked. Linked images that aren’t included with your file will cause errors or missing image boxes when the supplier opens the file. Always flatten transparency and embed all images before export.
Bleed
Always include bleed as specified by the supplier. Bleed is the additional area of artwork beyond the trim edge that ensures there are no white borders after cutting and fitting. Most large format OOH suppliers require 100mm bleed on large formats and 20mm on smaller formats — but always confirm.
Safe Zone
Keep all important content — text, logos, key visuals — within a safe zone of at least 50mm inside the trim edge on large formats. Content too close to the edge can be cut off or obscured by the frame of the poster site.
Always supply a low resolution PDF proof alongside your print-ready artwork file. This gives the supplier a visual reference to check against and helps avoid errors going to print.
Supplier Artwork Portals
All major OOH suppliers have their own artwork submission portals with their own specific requirements. Always check directly with your supplier for the most up to date specifications before producing artwork — these can change and what’s listed here is a guide rather than a definitive specification.
• Clear Channel — artwork submitted via their online portal. Confirm current specs at clearchannel.co.uk
• JCDecaux — artwork submitted via their supplier portal. Confirm current specs at jcdecaux.co.uk
• Global (Outdoor) — artwork submitted via their campaign management platform. Confirm at global.com
• Ocean Outdoor — confirm specifications directly with Ocean for their digital network
If you’d rather not deal with the artwork submission process yourself, our design and print team handle all of this as part of the service — we produce your artwork to the correct specifications, submit it to the supplier and make sure everything is approved and ready for your campaign start date.
Need Help With Your OOH Artwork?
Getting OOH artwork right requires knowledge of print production, supplier requirements and what actually works creatively at scale. Our design and print team have been producing OOH artwork for over 20 years — from single bus stop adverts through to national multi-format campaigns. We know every supplier’s requirements, we know what works creatively and we’ll make sure your artwork goes to print on time and on spec. Get in touch today to discuss your artwork requirements.
Planning an OOH Campaign?
If you’re at the artwork stage you’re probably close to booking. Get in touch with the Focus Media Outdoor team — we’ll handle site selection, negotiation, print production and booking from start to finish. Contact us today for a free no-obligation conversation.
