A straight-talking guide from Focus Media Outdoor — over 20 years in the industry
The 6 sheet is the most widely used small format outdoor advertising poster in the UK. You’ll find it at bus stops, train stations, shopping centres, retail parks and airports — it’s the format that makes up the vast majority of street-level OOH advertising across the country. If you’re preparing artwork for a 6 sheet campaign, getting the size and specifications right is critical. Submit the wrong file and it won’t go to print. In this guide we cover everything you need to know — print size, digital size, bleed, resolution, file formats and supplier-specific requirements. If you need help producing your artwork, our design and print team handle everything from concept to print-ready file.
6 Sheet Advertising Size — At a Glance
Always confirm the exact specifications with your supplier before producing artwork. While 1200 x 1800mm is the standard 6 sheet size, some suppliers and screen networks have slightly different requirements.
What Is a 6 Sheet?
A 6 sheet is a portrait format poster measuring 1200mm wide by 1800mm tall — approximately 4 feet wide by 6 feet tall in imperial measurements. The name comes from the old letterpress printing tradition where the poster required 6 individual sheets of paper to produce at full size. Today it’s printed as a single piece, but the name has stuck. The 6 sheet is the standard format for bus stop advertising across the UK and is also widely used at train stations, shopping centres and retail parks. It’s the same format whether it’s a static printed poster in a bus shelter or a digital screen at a major rail terminal — the dimensions are consistent across all applications.
6 Sheet Print Specifications
For static 6 sheet advertising — the kind found in bus shelters, at train stations and in shopping centres — your artwork needs to be produced as a print-ready file to the following specifications:
Artwork Size
Your artwork should be set up at 1200mm wide by 1800mm tall, plus bleed. Most suppliers require 20mm bleed on all sides, making the total document size with bleed 1240mm x 1840mm. Always check with your specific supplier as bleed requirements can vary.
Resolution
Large format print is produced at a much lower resolution than desktop printing. For a 6 sheet at full size, 40-50 DPI is sufficient. If you’re working at 1:10 scale (120mm x 180mm), use 400-500 DPI. Working at 1:5 scale, use 200-250 DPI. The key is that the total pixel dimensions are sufficient — your supplier will advise if there’s an issue.
Colour Mode
All print artwork must be in CMYK colour mode. If you supply RGB artwork it will be converted to CMYK by the printer, which can cause unexpected colour shifts — particularly with bright oranges, greens and purples. Always set up your document in CMYK from the start.
Fonts
All fonts must be outlined before supplying your file. In Adobe Illustrator go to Select All, then Type, then Create Outlines. In InDesign, export as a PDF with fonts embedded. This prevents font substitution errors if the supplier doesn’t have your typeface installed.
Images
All placed images must be embedded in your file, not linked. In Illustrator use the Links panel to embed all images. In InDesign, package your file or embed images before export. Linked images that aren’t included with the file will show as missing when the supplier opens it.
File Format
PDF is the preferred file format for most suppliers — export as a high quality print PDF with marks and bleeds included. AI and EPS files are also accepted by most suppliers. Always supply a low resolution proof PDF alongside your print-ready file so the supplier has a visual reference to check against.
Set up a 6 sheet document template at 1240mm x 1840mm (including 20mm bleed all sides) in CMYK at 40 DPI. Save it as your master template and use it for every 6 sheet campaign — it saves time and eliminates setup errors.
6 Sheet Digital Specifications
Digital 6 sheet screens are increasingly common at bus stops, train stations, shopping centres and airports. The specifications for digital 6 sheets differ from print — here’s what you need to know:
Artwork Size
The standard digital 6 sheet size is 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall — a portrait 1080p format. This is consistent across most major digital OOH networks in the UK, though always confirm with your specific supplier or network before producing artwork.
Resolution
Digital artwork is produced at 72 DPI — standard screen resolution. Unlike print, high DPI is not required or beneficial for digital OOH. What matters is the pixel dimensions of your file.
Colour Mode
Digital artwork should be produced in RGB colour mode — the opposite of print. RGB gives you access to a wider colour gamut on screen and ensures your colours display accurately on LED screens.
File Formats — Static
For static digital 6 sheet adverts, JPEG or PNG files are accepted by most networks. JPEG is generally preferred for photographic content; PNG is better for graphics with flat colours or transparency. Keep file sizes as small as possible while maintaining quality — most networks have a maximum file size of around 2MB for static images.
File Formats — Animated
For animated digital 6 sheet adverts, MP4 video files encoded with the H.264 codec are the standard format accepted by most major networks. Keep animations simple and impactful — your advert will typically display for 5-10 seconds in rotation with other advertisers, so the message needs to land immediately. Maximum file sizes vary but are typically up to 40MB.
Supplier-Specific Digital 6 Sheet Specifications
Clear Channel — Adshel Live
Clear Channel’s Adshel Live network is the UK’s largest digital 6 sheet network, found at bus stops across the country. Standard artwork size: 1080 x 1920px. Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG (static) and MP4 H.264 (animated). Artwork is submitted through Clear Channel’s online portal. Always confirm current specifications directly with Clear Channel before producing artwork as these can be updated.
JCDecaux — Digital 6 Sheet
JCDecaux operates digital 6 sheet screens at bus stops, shopping centres, airports and train stations across the UK. Standard artwork size: 1080 x 1920px. Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG and MP4. JCDecaux has its own artwork submission portal — confirm current specifications directly with JCDecaux or through your agency before producing artwork.
Global — Outdoor Digital
Global’s outdoor digital network includes 6 sheet screens at various locations across the UK. Standard artwork size: 1080 x 1920px. Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG and MP4. Confirm current specifications through Global’s campaign management platform before producing artwork.
Even if you’ve submitted to a supplier before, always double check their current specifications before your next campaign. Networks update their technical requirements periodically and what was correct six months ago may have changed.
Where Are 6 Sheet Sites Located?
6 sheet poster sites are found across a huge range of environments in the UK. The most common locations are:
• Bus shelters — the most widespread 6 sheet environment, available in most major towns and cities
• Train stations — platform waiting areas, concourses and ticket halls
• Shopping centres — walkways, entrances and food courts
• Retail parks — near entrances and anchor stores
• Airports — departure lounges, baggage reclaim and arrivals halls
• Leisure centres and sports venues
For bus stop 6 sheet advertising specifically, take a look at our full bus stop advertising guide. For 6 sheet sites at train stations, visit our train station advertising page. For shopping centre 6 sheet options, visit our shopping centre advertising page.
6 Sheet Creative Best Practices
Knowing the specs is one thing — knowing what to put on your 6 sheet is another. Here are the golden rules for effective 6 sheet creative:
• Keep it simple — one headline, one image, one call to action. No more.
• Use bold, high contrast visuals — your poster needs to be visible from a distance
• Minimal text — if it takes more than two seconds to read, it’s too much
• Make your logo or brand name immediately obvious
• Include a clear call to action — a URL, phone number or location
• Keep important content within the safe zone — at least 50mm inside the trim edge
• For digital — keep animations simple and ensure the key message is visible in the first two seconds
For more advice on what makes effective outdoor advertising creative, take a look at our complete OOH advertising sizes and specifications guide which covers every format in one place.
Need Help With Your 6 Sheet Artwork?
Our design and print team produce 6 sheet artwork for bus stops, train stations, shopping centres and digital networks every week. We know every supplier’s requirements, we set files up correctly first time and we handle submission and approval so you don’t have to. Whether you need a static print poster or an animated digital file, we’ve got it covered. Get in touch today to discuss your artwork requirements.
Ready to Book a 6 Sheet Campaign?
If your artwork is sorted, the next step is booking your sites. Get in touch with the Focus Media Outdoor team — we’ll find the best 6 sheet sites for your business, handle the booking and make sure your campaign goes live on time. Contact us today for a free no-obligation quote.
