North American Paper Sizes - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 10:00, 13 June 2022

2022-06-13T10:00:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:00, 13 June 2022
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	If you send documents to any other country, your use of A4 will greatly ease the handling and filing of your documents for the recipient. If you design software that might be used globally, please keep in mind that the vast majority of laser printer users will print onto A4 paper. Therefore, always make A4 the default setting and the first selection choice in your printing user interface. Remember that it is the paper format used by about 95% of the people on this planet.		If you send documents to any other country, your use of A4 will greatly ease the handling and filing of your documents for the recipient. If you design software that might be used globally, please keep in mind that the vast majority of laser printer users will print onto A4 paper. Therefore, always make A4 the default setting and the first selection choice in your printing user interface. Remember that it is the paper format used by about 95% of the people on this planet.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki ==~~=	+

	* Paper sizes (ISO 216 A, B and C series)		* Paper sizes (ISO 216 A, B and C series)
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	* Self publishing for architects.		* Self publishing for architects.
	* Technical notes on architectural publishing.		* Technical notes on architectural publishing.
		+	* Types of paper.
	* Using publishing to optimise real estate projects.		* Using publishing to optimise real estate projects.
	* Writing technique.		* Writing technique.

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]]

Designing Buildings at 06:56, 12 October 2020

2020-10-12T06:56:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:56, 12 October 2020
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	* Writing technique.		* Writing technique.

−	[[Category:~~Articles_needing_more_work~~]] [[Category:~~History~~]] [[Category:~~Standards_/_measurements~~]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]]

Designing Buildings at 16:12, 10 December 2019

2019-12-10T16:12:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:12, 10 December 2019
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	\|}		\|}

−	= [[File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png\|600px\|link=File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png]]~~<br />~~	+	= [[File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png\|600px\|link=File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png]]
−		+

		+	<br />
	<br />		<br />
	The adoption of the metric system in the USA =		The adoption of the metric system in the USA =
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	The three-hole 108-mm filing system widely used in the U.S. is not compatible with the two-hole 80-mm ISO system used in most other countries. The three-hole system could of course also be used on A4 pages, but many files with a three-hole mechanism are only designed for U.S. “Letter” sheets and are not tall enough to reliably protect A4 pages. Another disadvantage of the three-hole system is that it is not suitable for storing formats smaller than U.S. “Letter”.		The three-hole 108-mm filing system widely used in the U.S. is not compatible with the two-hole 80-mm ISO system used in most other countries. The three-hole system could of course also be used on A4 pages, but many files with a three-hole mechanism are only designed for U.S. “Letter” sheets and are not tall enough to reliably protect A4 pages. Another disadvantage of the three-hole system is that it is not suitable for storing formats smaller than U.S. “Letter”.

−	The U.S. Postal Service standard-size range for first-class or single piece third-class mail weighing up to 28 g includes ISO C6 and DL envelopes. The U.S. currently use quite a large number of envelope formats ~~([http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/env.html#nafuutou http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/env.html#nafuutou])~~.	+	The U.S. Postal Service standard-size range for first-class or single piece third-class mail weighing up to 28 g includes ISO C6 and DL envelopes. The U.S. currently use quite a large number of envelope formats.

	== Calculating Weights ==		== Calculating Weights ==

−	The U.S. paper industry has managed to come up with an ~~([http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/grammage.html http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/grammage.html])~~ odd way of specifying the density of paper. Instead of providing you with the obvious quotient of mass per area (e.g., in grams per square meter, ounces per square yard, etc, they specify the total mass M of a ream of N pages of some size X×Y.	+	The U.S. paper industry has managed to come up with an odd way of specifying the density of paper. Instead of providing you with the obvious quotient of mass per area (e.g., in grams per square meter, ounces per square yard, etc, they specify the total mass M of a ream of N pages of some size X×Y.

	This means, you have to know four values in order to understand how to calculate the (scalar) density of the paper. For example “20 lb paper” can mean that a ream of 500 pages in format 24×36 in has a total mass of 20 pounds. These ream sizes of 500 × 24 in × 36 in = 278.70912 m² are somewhat typical in newsprint applications but not universal, as 17×22 in, 25×38 in and other reference sheet sizes are used as well.		This means, you have to know four values in order to understand how to calculate the (scalar) density of the paper. For example “20 lb paper” can mean that a ream of 500 pages in format 24×36 in has a total mass of 20 pounds. These ream sizes of 500 × 24 in × 36 in = 278.70912 m² are somewhat typical in newsprint applications but not universal, as 17×22 in, 25×38 in and other reference sheet sizes are used as well.
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	* Writing technique.		* Writing technique.

−	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]]	+	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]]

Designing Buildings at 15:29, 11 January 2018

2018-01-11T15:29:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 11 January 2018
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	{\|		{\|
−	~~\|width="16%"~~\|Name	+	\| Name
−	~~\|width="16%"~~\|in × in	+	\| in × in
−	~~\|width="16%"~~\|mm × mm	+	\| mm × mm
−	~~\|width="16%"~~\|Ratio	+	\| Ratio
−	~~\|width="16%"~~\|Alias	+	\| Alias
−	~~\|width="16%"~~\|Similar ISO A size	+	\| Similar ISO A size
	\|-		\|-
−	\|ANSI A	+	\| ANSI A
−	\|8.5 × 11	+	\| 8.5 × 11
−	\|216 × 279	+	\| 216 × 279
−	\|1.2941	+	\| 1.2941
−	\|Letter	+	\| Letter
−	\|A4	+	\| A4
	\|-		\|-
−	\|ANSI B	+	\| ANSI B
−	\|11 × 17	+	\| 11 × 17
−	\|279 × 432	+	\| 279 × 432
−	\|1.5455	+	\| 1.5455
−	\|Ledger Tabloid	+	\| Ledger Tabloid
−	\|A3	+	\| A3
	\|-		\|-
−	\|ANSI C	+	\| ANSI C
−	\|17 × 22	+	\| 17 × 22
−	\|432 × 559	+	\| 432 × 559
−	\|1.2941	+	\| 1.2941
	\|		\|
−	\|A2	+
		+	\| A2
	\|-		\|-
−	\|ANSI D	+	\| ANSI D
−	\|22 × 34	+	\| 22 × 34
−	\|559 × 864	+	\| 559 × 864
−	\|1.5455	+	\| 1.5455
	\|		\|
−	\|A1	+
		+	\| A1
	\|-		\|-
−	\|ANSI E	+	\| ANSI E
−	\|34 × 44	+	\| 34 × 44
−	\|864 × 1118	+	\| 864 × 1118
−	\|1.2941	+	\| 1.2941
	\|		\|
−	\|A0	+
		+	\| A0
	\|}		\|}

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	{\|		{\|
−	\|Name	+	\| Name
−	\|in × in	+	\| in × in
−	\|mm × mm	+	\| mm × mm
−	\|Ratio	+	\| Ratio
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch A	+	\| Arch A
−	\|9 × 12	+	\| 9 × 12
−	\|229 × 305	+	\| 229 × 305
−	\|3:4	+	\| 3:4
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch B	+	\| Arch B
−	\|12 × 18	+	\| 12 × 18
−	\|305 × 457	+	\| 305 × 457
−	\|2:3	+	\| 2:3
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch C	+	\| Arch C
−	\|18 × 24	+	\| 18 × 24
−	\|457 × 610	+	\| 457 × 610
−	\|3:4	+	\| 3:4
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch D	+	\| Arch D
−	\|24 × 36	+	\| 24 × 36
−	\|610 × 914	+	\| 610 × 914
−	\|2:3	+	\| 2:3
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch E	+	\| Arch E
−	\|36 × 48	+	\| 36 × 48
−	\|914 × 1219	+	\| 914 × 1219
−	\|3:4	+	\| 3:4
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch E1	+	\| Arch E1
−	\|30 × 42	+	\| 30 × 42
−	\|762 × 1067	+	\| 762 × 1067
−	\|5:7	+	\| 5:7
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch E2	+	\| Arch E2
−	\|26 × 38	+	\| 26 × 38
−	\|660 × 965	+	\| 660 × 965
−	\|13:19	+	\| 13:19
	\|-		\|-
−	\|Arch E3	+	\| Arch E3
−	\|27 × 39	+	\| 27 × 39
−	\|686 × 991	+	\| 686 × 991
−	\|9:13	+	\| 9:13
	\|}		\|}

	= [[File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png\|600px\|link=File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png]]<br />		= [[File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png\|600px\|link=File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png]]<br />
−	~~<br />~~


		+	<br />
	The adoption of the metric system in the USA =		The adoption of the metric system in the USA =

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	Overall, the board made little impact on implementing the metric system in the United States, but did "educate the American people about the meaning of the Metric system in everyday life", (taken from President Ronald Reagan's letter to Louis Polk, Chairman of the USMB, on 9 March 1982, thanking him for his efforts.)		Overall, the board made little impact on implementing the metric system in the United States, but did "educate the American people about the meaning of the Metric system in everyday life", (taken from President Ronald Reagan's letter to Louis Polk, Chairman of the USMB, on 9 March 1982, thanking him for his efforts.)

−	Just before it dissolved — officially, on 30 September 1982 — the USMB issued the 44-page U.S. Metric Board Summary Report — July 1982 ~~([http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pur1.32754076105224;view=1up;seq=1&nbsp http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pur1.32754076105224;view=1up;seq=1])~~, summarizing its four years of activities. Among other things, it includes a list of findings and recommendations, with these main points (for the explanation of each, read the report):	+	Just before it dissolved — officially, on 30 September 1982 — the USMB issued the 44-page U.S. Metric Board Summary Report — July 1982, summarizing its four years of activities. Among other things, it includes a list of findings and recommendations, with these main points (for the explanation of each, read the report):

	Findings		Findings

Editor at 09:55, 12 January 2016

2016-01-12T09:55:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:55, 12 January 2016
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	\|279 × 432		\|279 × 432
	\|1.5455		\|1.5455
−	\|Ledger~~<br />~~	+	\|Ledger Tabloid
−	Tabloid	+
	\|A3		\|A3
	\|-		\|-
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	{\|		{\|
−	~~\|width="25%"~~\|Name	+	\|Name
−	~~\|width="25%"~~\|in × in	+	\|in × in
−	~~\|width="25%"~~\|mm × mm	+	\|mm × mm
−	~~\|width="25%"~~\|Ratio	+	\|Ratio
	\|-		\|-
	\|Arch A		\|Arch A
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	= [[File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png\|600px\|link=File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png]]<br />		= [[File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png\|600px\|link=File:ARCH_paper_sizes.png]]<br />
	<br />		<br />
−	~~<br />~~	+
−	The adoption of the metric system in the USA =	+
		+	The adoption of the metric system in the USA =

	The United States has been officially on the metric system since 1975. The 'Metric Conversion Act' is an Act of Congress that U.S. President Gerald Ford signed into law on December 23, 1975. It declared the Metric system as, "the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce". However, it permitted the use of United States customary units in non-business activities.		The United States has been officially on the metric system since 1975. The 'Metric Conversion Act' is an Act of Congress that U.S. President Gerald Ford signed into law on December 23, 1975. It declared the Metric system as, "the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce". However, it permitted the use of United States customary units in non-business activities.
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	* Brand guidelines.		* Brand guidelines.
	* Concept drawing.		* Concept drawing.
		+	* Elevations.
	* Getting published.		* Getting published.
	* Notation and symbols.		* Notation and symbols.

Editor at 09:55, 8 January 2016

2016-01-08T09:55:23Z

Show changes

Designing Buildings at 15:02, 8 July 2014

2014-07-08T15:02:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 8 July 2014
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	While all ISO paper formats have consistently the same aspect ratio of √2 = 1.414, the U.S. format series has two different alternating aspect ratios 17/11 = 1.545 and 22/17 = 1.294. Therefore, you cannot reduce or magnify from one U.S. format to the next higher or lower without leaving an empty margin, which is rather inconvenient.<br/>		While all ISO paper formats have consistently the same aspect ratio of √2 = 1.414, the U.S. format series has two different alternating aspect ratios 17/11 = 1.545 and 22/17 = 1.294. Therefore, you cannot reduce or magnify from one U.S. format to the next higher or lower without leaving an empty margin, which is rather inconvenient.<br/>

−	{\| ~~width="435"~~ border="0" cellpadding="0"	+	{\| border="0" cellpadding="0"
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan="4" \|		\| colspan="4" \|
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	== '''Note:''' ==		== '''Note:''' ==

−	If you live in the U.S. and have never been abroad, you might not be aware that paper and accessories in the North-American sizes are not commonly available outside the U.S. or Canada. They are very difficult to obtain in any other country and the only practical way to get U.S. “Letter” is to cut one of the next larger available sizes (usually B4, A3 or RA4).	+	If you live in the U.S. and have never been abroad, you might not be aware that paper and accessories in the North-American sizes are not commonly available outside the U.S. or Canada. They are very difficult to obtain in any other country and the only practical way to get U.S. “Letter” is to cut one of the next larger available sizes (usually B4, A3 or RA4).

	If you send documents to any other country, your use of A4 will greatly ease the handling and filing of your documents for the recipient. If you design software that might be used globally, please keep in mind that the vast majority of laser printer users will print onto A4 paper. Therefore, always make A4 the default setting and the first selection choice in your printing user interface. Remember that it is the paper format used by about 95% of the people on this planet.		If you send documents to any other country, your use of A4 will greatly ease the handling and filing of your documents for the recipient. If you design software that might be used globally, please keep in mind that the vast majority of laser printer users will print onto A4 paper. Therefore, always make A4 the default setting and the first selection choice in your printing user interface. Remember that it is the paper format used by about 95% of the people on this planet.
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	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]
	[[Category:History]]		[[Category:History]]
−	[[Category:~~Theory~~]]	+	[[Category:Standards_/_measurements]]

Designing Buildings at 14:43, 22 November 2013

2013-11-22T14:43:00Z

Designing Buildings at 14:34, 22 November 2013

2013-11-22T14:34:41Z

Show changes

Designing Buildings at 13:59, 22 November 2013

2013-11-22T13:59:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:59, 22 November 2013
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−	The United States, Canada, and in part Mexico, are ~~today~~ the only industrialized nations in which the ISO 216 standard paper sizes are not yet widely used. The current standard sizes are unique to that continent (though with globalisation other parts of the world have become increasingly familiar with them).~~<br/>~~	+	The United States, Canada, and in part Mexico, are the only industrialized nations in which the ISO 216 standard paper sizes are not yet widely used. The current standard sizes are unique to that continent (though with globalisation other parts of the world have become increasingly familiar with them).

−	The traditional North American inch-based sizes "Letter", "Legal", "Ledger", and "Tabloid" are by far the most commonly used of these for everyday activities. Outside of North America, Letter size (8<sup> 1</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub> in × 11 in or 215.9 mm × 279.4 mm) is also known as "American Quarto" and the size is almost exactly one quarter of the old Imperial (British) paper size known as Demy (17½ in ×22½ in or 445 mm × 572 mm), allowing ½ inch for trimming.~~<br/>~~	+	The traditional North American inch-based sizes "Letter", "Legal", "Ledger", and "Tabloid" are by far the most commonly used of these for everyday activities. Outside of North America, Letter size (8<sup> 1</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub> in × 11 in or 215.9 mm × 279.4 mm) is also known as "American Quarto" and the size is almost exactly one quarter of the old Imperial (British) paper size known as Demy (17½ in ×22½ in or 445 mm × 572 mm), allowing ½ inch for trimming.

−	There are many other unsystematic formats for various applications in use. The “Letter”, “Legal”, “Tabloid”, and other formats (although not these names) are defined in the American National Standard ANSI X3.151-1987.~~<br/>~~	+	There are many other unsystematic formats for various applications in use. The “Letter”, “Legal”, “Tabloid”, and other formats (although not these names) are defined in the American National Standard ANSI X3.151-1987.

	While all ISO paper formats have consistently the same aspect ratio of √2 = 1.414, the U.S. format series has two different alternating aspect ratios 17/11 = 1.545 and 22/17 = 1.294. Therefore, you cannot reduce or magnify from one U.S. format to the next higher or lower without leaving an empty margin, which is rather inconvenient.<br/>		While all ISO paper formats have consistently the same aspect ratio of √2 = 1.414, the U.S. format series has two different alternating aspect ratios 17/11 = 1.545 and 22/17 = 1.294. Therefore, you cannot reduce or magnify from one U.S. format to the next higher or lower without leaving an empty margin, which is rather inconvenient.<br/>

−	~~<br/>~~	+	{\| width="435" border="0" cellpadding="0"
−		+
−	{\| width="435" ~~cellpadding~~="0" ~~border~~="0"	+
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan="4" \|		\| colspan="4" \|
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	\|}		\|}

−	= '''History and adoption '''~~<br/>~~ =	+	= '''History and adoption ''' =

−	The historic origins of the 216 × 279 mm U.S. Letter format, and in particular its rationale, seem rather obscure. The American Forest and Paper Association argues that the dimension originates from the days of manual paper making, and that the 11 inch length of the page is about a quarter of "the average maximum stretch of an experienced vatman's (a worker who washes, dyes, cooks, or chemically treats products in a vat) arms." However, this does not explain the width or aspect ratio.~~<br/>~~	+	The historic origins of the 216 × 279 mm U.S. Letter format, and in particular its rationale, seem rather obscure. The American Forest and Paper Association argues that the dimension originates from the days of manual paper making, and that the 11 inch length of the page is about a quarter of "the average maximum stretch of an experienced vatman's (a worker who washes, dyes, cooks, or chemically treats products in a vat) arms." However, this does not explain the width or aspect ratio.

	The earliest documented attempts to standardize U.S. paper format used a completely different format. On 28<sup>th</sup> March 1921, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce (Herbert Hoover – later to become the 31<sup>st</sup> president of the USA in 1929) declared a 203 × 267 mm format (Government-Letter) to be the standard for his department. It apparently to enable discounts from the purchase of paper for schools, but more likely due to the standard use of trimming books (after binding) and paper from the standard letter size paper to produce consistency and allow "bleed" printing.<br/>		The earliest documented attempts to standardize U.S. paper format used a completely different format. On 28<sup>th</sup> March 1921, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce (Herbert Hoover – later to become the 31<sup>st</sup> president of the USA in 1929) declared a 203 × 267 mm format (Government-Letter) to be the standard for his department. It apparently to enable discounts from the purchase of paper for schools, but more likely due to the standard use of trimming books (after binding) and paper from the standard letter size paper to produce consistency and allow "bleed" printing.<br/>
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	<br/>		<br/>

−	{\| ~~cellpadding~~="0" ~~border~~="0"	+	{\| border="0" cellpadding="0"
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan="3" \|		\| colspan="3" \|
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	<br/>		<br/>

−	{\| ~~cellpadding~~="0" ~~border~~="0"	+	{\| border="0" cellpadding="0"
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	<br/>		<br/>

−	{\| ~~cellpadding~~="0" ~~border~~="0"	+	{\| border="0" cellpadding="0"
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 22 November 2013
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	North American copiers usually also have two or more paper trays, but these are mostly used for the two very similar “Letter” and “Legal” formats, wasting the opportunity of offering a highly useful magnifying capability. Any enlarging of a “Letter” page onto “Legal” paper will always chop off margins and is therefore of little use.		North American copiers usually also have two or more paper trays, but these are mostly used for the two very similar “Letter” and “Legal” formats, wasting the opportunity of offering a highly useful magnifying capability. Any enlarging of a “Letter” page onto “Legal” paper will always chop off margins and is therefore of little use.

−	The Legal format itself is rarely used, the notion that it is for “legal” work is a popular myth; the vast majority of U.S. legal documents ~~are actually using~~ the “Letter” format. Some copiers also offer in addition or instead the next larger “Ledger” format, but that again has a different aspect ratio and will therefore change the margins of a document during magnification or reduction.	+	The Legal format itself is rarely used, the notion that it is for “legal” work is a popular myth; the vast majority of U.S. legal documents actuall use the “Letter” format. Some copiers also offer in addition or instead the next larger “Ledger” format, but that again has a different aspect ratio and will therefore change the margins of a document during magnification or reduction.

−	Based on the experience from the introduction of ISO paper formats in other industrialized countries at various points during the 20th century, it becomes clear that this process needs to be initiated by a political decision to move all government operation to the new paper format system. History shows that the commercial world then gradually and smoothly ~~adopts~~ the new government standard for office paper within about 10–15 years.	+	Based on the experience from the introduction of ISO paper formats in other industrialized countries at various points during the 20th century, it becomes clear that this process needs to be initiated by a political decision to move all government operation to the new paper format system. History shows that the commercial world then gradually and smoothly adopt the new government standard for office paper within about 10–15 years.

−	It would not be a major operation to do this in the U.S. and Canada ~~as well~~, especially considering that most standard software and office machines are already prepared for A4. However, such a project can succeed only if the national executive has the political will to accomplish ~~this~~. The transition period of about a decade is necessary to avoid expensive equipment replacement costs for printers, especially those with older large rotary presses that were not yet designed to be easily retooled for ISO paper sizes.	+	It would not be a major operation to do this in the U.S. and Canada, especially considering that most standard software and office machines are already prepared for A4. However, such a project can succeed only if the national executive has the political will to accomplish it. The transition period of about a decade is necessary to avoid expensive equipment replacement costs for printers, especially those with older large rotary presses that were not yet designed to be easily retooled for ISO paper sizes.

−	It is advised that if a company/organisation is to purchase new office or printing equipment in North America, it would be wise to pay attention whether the equipment is suitable for use with A4 paper~~. When you make inquiries, best indicate to vendors that ISO 216 compatibility of equipment is of concern to you~~.	+	It is advised that if a company/organisation is to purchase new office or printing equipment in North America, it would be wise to pay attention to whether the equipment is suitable for use with A4 paper.

−	The dominance of the “Letter” format instead of ISO A4 as the common laser-printer paper format in North America causes a lot of problems in daily international document exchange with the USA and Canada. ISO A4 is 6 mm less wide but 18 mm higher than the U.S. “Letter” format. Word processing documents with an A4 layout can often not be printed without loss of information on “Letter” paper or require you to reformat the text, which will change the page numbering.~~<br/>~~	+	The dominance of the “Letter” format instead of ISO A4 as the common laser-printer paper format in North America causes a lot of problems in daily international document exchange with the USA and Canada. ISO A4 is 6 mm less wide but 18 mm higher than the U.S. “Letter” format. Word processing documents with an A4 layout can often not be printed without loss of information on “Letter” paper or require you to reformat the text, which will change the page numbering.

−	“Letter” format documents printed outside North America either shows too much white space on the top or bottom of the page or the printer refuses to operate as “Letter” format paper has been selected by the software but is not available. A4 size documents have to be copied or printed with a 94% magnification factor to fit on the 6% less tall “Letter” paper, and “Letter” documents have to be printed with 97% size to fit on the 3% less wide A4 format.~~<br/>~~	+	“Letter” format documents printed outside North America either shows too much white space on the top or bottom of the page or the printer refuses to operate as “Letter” format paper has been selected by the software but is not available. A4 size documents have to be copied or printed with a 94% magnification factor to fit on the 6% less tall “Letter” paper, and “Letter” documents have to be printed with 97% size to fit on the 3% less wide A4 format.

	Universities in the U.S. increasingly use A4 size paper in laser printers and library copying machines, because most conferences outside North America require papers to be submitted in A4 format and many journals and conference proceedings are printed in A4 format.		Universities in the U.S. increasingly use A4 size paper in laser printers and library copying machines, because most conferences outside North America require papers to be submitted in A4 format and many journals and conference proceedings are printed in A4 format.
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	The U.S. Postal Service standard-size range for first-class or single piece third-class mail weighing up to 28 g includes ISO C6 and DL envelopes. The U.S. currently use quite a large number of envelope formats ([http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/env.html#nafuutou http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/env.html#nafuutou]).		The U.S. Postal Service standard-size range for first-class or single piece third-class mail weighing up to 28 g includes ISO C6 and DL envelopes. The U.S. currently use quite a large number of envelope formats ([http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/env.html#nafuutou http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/env.html#nafuutou]).

−	== Calculating Weights~~<br/>~~ ==	+	== Calculating Weights ==

−	The U.S. paper industry has managed to come up with an ([http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/grammage.html http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/grammage.html]) odd way ~~(to say the least!)~~ of specifying the density of paper~~</a>~~. Instead of providing you with the obvious quotient of mass per area (e.g., in grams per square meter, ounces per square yard, ~~whatever)~~, they specify the total mass <var>M</var> of a ream of <var>N</var> pages of some size <var>X</var>×<var>Y</var>.	+	The U.S. paper industry has managed to come up with an ([http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/grammage.html http://www.edsebooks.com/paper/grammage.html]) odd way of specifying the density of paper. Instead of providing you with the obvious quotient of mass per area (e.g., in grams per square meter, ounces per square yard, etc, they specify the total mass <var>M</var> of a ream of <var>N</var> pages of some size <var>X</var>×<var>Y</var>.

−	This means, you have to know four values in order to understand how to calculate the (scalar) density of the paper. For example “20 lb paper” can mean that a ream of 500 pages in format 24×36 in has a total mass of 20 pounds. These ream sizes of 500 × 24 in × 36 in = 278.70912 m² are somewhat typical in newsprint applications but not universal, as 17×22 in, 25×38 in and other reference sheet sizes are used as well!	+	This means, you have to know four values in order to understand how to calculate the (scalar) density of the paper. For example “20 lb paper” can mean that a ream of 500 pages in format 24×36 in has a total mass of 20 pounds. These ream sizes of 500 × 24 in × 36 in = 278.70912 m² are somewhat typical in newsprint applications but not universal, as 17×22 in, 25×38 in and other reference sheet sizes are used as well.

−	With 453.59237 g/lb and 278.70912 m²/ream, you get roughly 1 lb/ream = 1.63 g/m² for this particular ream size. It can be very problematic if you have to do these conversions yourself ~~and you really should complain to paper suppliers who still do not manage to communicate the proper g/m² values (commonly called “grammage” in both English and French) for their products~~.	+	With 453.59237 g/lb and 278.70912 m²/ream, you get roughly 1 lb/ream = 1.63 g/m² for this particular ream size. It can be very problematic if you have to do these conversions yourself.

−	== Supply of ISO 216 paper in North American~~<br/>~~ ==	+	== Supply of ISO 216 paper in North American ==

−	Although it is still rarely advertised, ISO A4 laser printer and copying paper, as well as suitable files and folders, ''are'' available today from many U.S. office supply companies. A4 paper and supplies have been regularly ordered in the U.S. for many years, especially by companies and organizations with a lot of international correspondence, including patent lawyers, diplomats, universities, and some government agencies.~~<br/>~~	+	Although it is still rarely advertised, ISO A4 laser printer and copying paper, as well as suitable files and folders, ''are'' available today from many U.S. office supply companies. A4 paper and supplies have been regularly ordered in the U.S. for many years, especially by companies and organizations with a lot of international correspondence, including patent lawyers, diplomats, universities, and some government agencies.

	Many of the larger stationery chains do offer at least one type of A4 paper in their catalogues. Often the only type of A4 paper available is a higher-quality brand: the type of paper one might prefer for important documents, such as international patent applications.		Many of the larger stationery chains do offer at least one type of A4 paper in their catalogues. Often the only type of A4 paper available is a higher-quality brand: the type of paper one might prefer for important documents, such as international patent applications.

	If the suppliers or shop assistant are unfamiliar with “A4 paper”, try asking for “210 mm × 297 mm”, “8 1/4 in × 11 3/4 in”, “international size”, or “European size” paper.		If the suppliers or shop assistant are unfamiliar with “A4 paper”, try asking for “210 mm × 297 mm”, “8 1/4 in × 11 3/4 in”, “international size”, or “European size” paper.
−
−	In the mid-1990s, most shops there did not keep A4 paper on stock routinely and they might have to order it first. Many were only able to order entire boxes of 10 reams (5000 sheets) and many shop assistants were unfamiliar with the ISO paper-size system. The situation has improved in recent years and that A4 paper and accessories are now a lot easier to obtain, but are still considered specialty items.

	== '''Note:''' ==		== '''Note:''' ==

−	If you live in the U.S. and have never been abroad, you might not be aware that paper and accessories in the North-American sizes are not commonly available outside the U.S. or Canada. They are very difficult to obtain in any other country and the only practical way to get U.S. “Letter” ~~there~~ is to cut one of the next larger available sizes (usually B4, A3 or RA4)~~. Therefore, do not expect anyone to send you documents in “Letter” format from abroad~~.	+	If you live in the U.S. and have never been abroad, you might not be aware that paper and accessories in the North-American sizes are not commonly available outside the U.S. or Canada. They are very difficult to obtain in any other country and the only practical way to get U.S. “Letter” is to cut one of the next larger available sizes (usually B4, A3 or RA4).

−	If you send documents to any other country, your use of A4 will greatly ease the handling and filing of your documents for the recipient. If you design software that might be used globally, please keep in mind that the vast majority of laser printer users will print onto A4 paper. Therefore, always make A4 the default setting and the first selection choice in your printing user interface. Remember that it is the paper format used by about 95% of the people on this planet.~~<br/>~~	+	If you send documents to any other country, your use of A4 will greatly ease the handling and filing of your documents for the recipient. If you design software that might be used globally, please keep in mind that the vast majority of laser printer users will print onto A4 paper. Therefore, always make A4 the default setting and the first selection choice in your printing user interface. Remember that it is the paper format used by about 95% of the people on this planet.

−	= Find out more~~<br/>~~ =	+	= Find out more =

−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki~~<br/>~~ ===	+	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===
−	*Paper sizes (ISO 216 A, B and C series)~~<br/>~~	+	*Paper sizes (ISO 216 A, B and C series)
	*Types of Drawings.		*Types of Drawings.
−	*Architectural publishing.~~<br/>~~	+	*Architectural publishing.
	*Brand guidelines.		*Brand guidelines.
	*Getting published.		*Getting published.