Colombian paper sizes include seven core formats — Carta, Oficio, Extra Tabloide, 1/8 Pliego, 1/4 Pliego, 1/2 Pliego, and Pliego — all based on ISO B1 (700 × 1000 mm) with a clean fractional halving system. This creates an efficient hierarchy for commercial printing, office documents, and industrial press production across Colombia and Latin America.

Carta (8.5 × 11 in) matches US Letter perfectly, while Oficio (8.5 × 13 in) differs from US Legal by one inch. Dimensions are provided in mm, cm, m, inches, pt, pc, and px at 300ppi, with comparisons to US Standard and ISO A-series formats for designers and print buyers working with Latin American vendors.

What Are Colombian Paper Sizes?

Colombian paper sizes are a regional print standard anchored to a single base format called the Pliego. Every commercial and industrial size in this system is derived directly from that one sheet.

Unlike the ISO A-series or US paper standards, Colombia built its own fractional sheet hierarchy — a system designed around physical press sheets and practical cutting logic used in industrial printing.

How ISO B1 Became the Foundation of the Colombian Paper Size System

The Colombian paper system is rooted in ISO B1, which measures 707 × 1000 mm. Colombia adopted this as the Pliego — its largest standard press sheet.

This link to an international standard gives Colombian commercial printing a globally compatible technical base when sourcing paper stock or working with international vendors.

The Fractional Logic Behind Pliego

Each smaller Pliego format is made by cutting the parent sheet precisely in half — giving you ½ Pliego, ¼ Pliego, and ⅛ Pliego in clean, mathematical sequence.

This halving system reduces paper waste, simplifies press imposition, and mirrors the same logic used in the ISO A-series — making it intuitive for professional printers worldwide.

Where Colombian Paper Sizes Are Used Today

Colombian paper formats power commercial and industrial print production across Colombia and nearby Latin American markets. You’ll find them on posters, brochures, legal documents, flyers, and newspaper press sheets.

For US-based professionals, these sizes matter most when working with Colombian print vendors or preparing files for Latin American print distribution.

All 7 Colombian Paper Sizes

Here is the complete Colombian paper size chart — all seven formats, every standard measurement unit in one clean reference table.

Carta

Carta (216 × 279 mm / 8.5 × 11 in) is Colombia’s standard everyday office paper format. It is dimensionally identical to US Letter size — making it the easiest Colombian format for American designers and businesses to work with.

Extra Tabloide

Extra Tabloide (304 × 457.2 mm / 12 × 18 in) is used for editorial publishing, newspaper layouts, and oversized commercial press sheets. US printers often call this size “Super B” — it is larger than the standard US Tabloid (11 × 17 in) in both dimensions.

Oficio

Oficio (216 × 330 mm / 8.5 × 13 in) is Colombia’s go-to sheet for legal paperwork, official correspondence, and government documents. It is frequently confused with US Legal (8.5 × 14 in) — but Oficio is one full inch shorter.

1/8 Pliego

1/8 Pliego (250 × 350 mm / 9.84 × 13.78 in) is the smallest format in the Pliego fractional series and the most commonly used size in everyday commercial marketing print. Think flyers, event handouts, retail inserts, and small promotional posters.

1/4 Pliego

1/4 Pliego (350 × 500 mm / 13.78 × 19.69 in) is a mid-range format built for medium-sized posters, point-of-sale displays, and product signage. It sits cleanly between the small flyer and the large press sheet.

When ⅛ Pliego is too small and ½ Pliego is too large, 1/4 Pliego is the natural middle ground for most retail and promotional print applications.

1/2 Pliego

1/2 Pliego (500 × 700 mm / 19.69 × 27.56 in) is the preferred choice for large-scale poster production, banner printing, and high-visibility advertising. Being exactly half the master Pliego sheet, it is one of the most press-efficient formats in high-volume commercial runs.

Pliego

Pliego (700 × 1000 mm / 27.56 × 39.37 in) is the largest and most foundational format in the entire Colombian paper system. It derives directly from the ISO B1 standard (707 × 1000 mm) and serves as the master press sheet for all fractional formats below it.

Every ½, ¼, and ⅛ Pliego size begins here. It is the cornerstone of Colombian industrial printing and the sheet around which entire press runs are planned and imposed.

Colombian Paper Sizes vs. ISO A-Series

Colombian sizes and ISO A-series formats are two separate systems. They share some functional overlap — but they are not interchangeable in professional print workflows.

Does Colombia Use ISO A4 Paper?

Colombia does not use ISOA4 as its national standard. The default office format is Carta (216 × 279 mm / 8.5 × 11 in) — which is similar to A4 but not identical.

A4 (210 × 297 mm) is taller and slightly narrower than Carta. In Colombia, A4 appears mainly in academic and multinational business contexts — not as the dominant office sheet.

How Carta & Oficio Compare to ISO A4, A3 & A5

None of these are exact ISO matches. They serve the same functional roles with different physical dimensions — a critical distinction in precision print file preparation.

Where the Pliego Series Stands Against ISO A1 & B1

Pliego (700 × 1000 mm) is not the same as ISO A1 (594 × 841 mm) — A1 is considerably smaller. Pliego aligns closely with ISO B1 (707 × 1000 mm), differing only by 7 mm in width.

This near-perfect B1 alignment is what gives the Colombian Pliego system its global technical credibility in large-format and industrial print environments.

How to Use Colombian Paper Sizes

Knowing the sizes is half the job. Knowing how to apply them in live print projects is where real expertise shows — and where most reference sites go completely silent.

Choosing the Right Pliego Format

For large event posters, use ½ Pliego or full Pliego. For flyers and handouts, ⅛ Pliego is the most cost-efficient choice in the Colombian market.

Extra Tabloide is the strongest pick for editorial spreads and catalog layouts — more visual space than a flyer, less cost than a full poster run.

Setting Up Bleed, Margins & Imposition on Colombian Sheet Sizes

Always apply a 3 mm bleed on all sides when preparing files for Colombian commercial presses — this is the standard trim allowance across most Latin American print vendors.

For Pliego imposition, plan your layout in clean multiples — 4-up, 8-up, or 16-up — based on your final trim size and total print quantity.

Tips for US Designers Working With Colombian Paper Specifications

Always confirm dimensions in millimeters with your Colombian printer — never assume size labels translate directly from US or ISO equivalents. Discrepancies cause expensive reprints.

Export print-ready files as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, set color mode to CMYK, and confirm whether the press needs bleed marks embedded or trimmed to a clean bleed box.

FAQ’s (Colombian Paper Sizes)

Does Colombia Use A4 Paper?

No. Colombia’s primary office format is Carta (216 × 279 mm / 8.5 × 11 in) — not A4. A4 measures 210 × 297 mm, making it taller and narrower than Carta. A4 appears in Colombia mainly in academic or international business contexts.

What Is the Size of A1, A2, A3, and A4?

What Are the Sizes of Paper in Order?

ISO A-series (largest to smallest): A0 → A1 → A2 → A3 → A4 → A5 → A6 → A7 → A8.

Colombian system (largest to smallest): Pliego → ½ Pliego → ¼ Pliego → ⅛ Pliego → Extra Tabloide → Oficio → Carta.

Do Colombian Paper Sizes Run Small?

No, Colombian paper sizes do not run small. The system spans from the compact Carta (216 × 279 mm / 8.5 × 11 in) up to the large Pliego (700 × 1000 mm / 27.56 × 39.37 in) — covering everyday office needs all the way to large-scale commercial press printing.

What Measurement Does Colombia Use for Paper?

Colombia uses millimeters (mm) as the primary unit for paper size measurement, consistent with the metric system used across Latin America. In professional print and design workflows, sizes are also expressed in cm, inches, pt, pc, and px at 300ppi depending on the tool or vendor requirement.

Conclusion

Colombian paper sizes offer a clean, logical system — from the office-standard Carta to the large-press Pliego — with every format serving a precise role in the print workflow.

For US designers and print buyers, understanding how these sizes compare to American and ISO standards eliminates guesswork and prevents costly print errors when working across borders.