Seating chart display sizes and printing tips

A good seating display lets a line of guests find their names in seconds. Size, layout and text size matter more than decoration.

Common sizes

Size	Works well for
11 × 17 in / A3	Small weddings, or a second copy at another entrance
16 × 20 in	Small to mid-size weddings, fits standard frames
18 × 24 in / A2	The usual choice for mid-size weddings on an easel
24 × 36 in / A1	Large guest lists and busy entrances where several people read at once

The more guests you have, the bigger the board needs to be to keep names readable. As a guide, aim for names that are at least about a quarter inch (6 mm) tall so guests can read them from a step back. If the names come out smaller than that, choose the next size up or switch layouts.

Alphabetical or by table?

Alphabetical by last name is fastest for guests: they look for their own name and read the table number beside it. Letter headings (A, B, C…) make scanning even quicker. This is the better choice for larger weddings.
Grouped by table looks elegant and lets guests see who they're sitting with, but each person has to search every table for their name. It works best for smaller weddings with fewer tables.

Printing

Export a PDF at the exact final size. Print and copy shops can print large formats on poster paper or directly on foam board.
Matte finishes avoid glare from venue lights and camera flashes.
Proofread one more time from the printed alphabetical list. Spelling names correctly matters more than anything else on the board.
Print a backup copy on standard paper and keep it with your coordinator.

Mounting and placement

Use a sturdy easel with a ledge, and weigh it down outdoors.
Place the board where guests arrive at the reception, with room for a small crowd to stand in front of it.
Set the center of the board roughly at eye level.

Plan your seating in the free seating chart maker. The Pro print studio creates the display at any of these sizes, with the text automatically sized to fill the board.