A5 invitation printing gives you a practical way to include more information without making the finished invitation difficult to handle. The finished sheet measures 148 × 210mm in portrait format, providing useful space for event details, schedules, directions, photography and strong visual design.
The invitation is supplied as one flat A5 sheet, not a folded format. It can be printed on one or both sides, depending on how much information your event requires.
What size is an A5 invitation?
An A5 invitation measures:
- 148mm wide
- 210mm high
- 154 × 216mm supplied artwork size when 3mm bleed is included on every edge
That makes A5 larger than A6, while remaining practical for envelopes, invitations stands, display tables and event information packs.
The extra space is particularly useful when your invitation needs to do more than announce a date. You might need to include:
- The event date and start time
- A full venue address
- Parking or public transport information
- An RSVP deadline and contact details
- A running order or event schedule
- Dress code information
- Accommodation suggestions
- A short welcome message
- A photograph, logo or carefully arranged visual design
A5 works well when the invitation needs to communicate the shape of the whole event, not just the basic date and venue.
Why choose A5 invitations printing?
Smaller formats can be excellent for concise announcements. A5 offers more room for clear information hierarchy, meaning the reader can quickly understand what matters most and then find the supporting details.
This can be especially valuable for:
- Weddings with ceremony and reception information
- Birthdays with timings, themes and venue guidance
- Anniversaries requiring a formal event schedule
- Engagement parties with RSVP and gift information
- Graduations with arrival instructions
- Christenings and private family celebrations
- Corporate launches and networking events
- Business open days
- Community events and fundraising occasions
A5 invitations can also support a more editorial design approach. A large headline, generous spacing and a well-positioned photograph can create a considered result without forcing every element into a crowded layout.
For a more compact format, see our A6 invitation printing service. For the wider range of available formats, visit our invitation printing category.
Preparing artwork for A5 invitation printing
The finished invitation size is 148 × 210mm. Your artwork should be supplied at 154 × 216mm, which includes 3mm of bleed on every edge.
What bleed means
Bleed is the small area of artwork that extends beyond the final cutting line. It allows background colours, photographs and design elements to run right to the edge after trimming.
Without bleed, even a very small movement during finishing could leave a narrow white edge. Extending the artwork by 3mm gives the trimming process enough room to produce a clean result.
Keep important content away from the edge. As a practical guide, place essential text, logos and key details inside a safe margin of approximately 3–5mm from the finished edge.
Your setup should therefore include:
- Portrait orientation
- Finished size of 148 × 210mm
- Artwork size of 154 × 216mm including bleed
- Background colours and images extended into the bleed
- Important wording kept inside the safe margin
- Clear distinction between the front and reverse if printing both sides
- A print-ready PDF where possible
- High-resolution images, ideally around 300dpi at final size
- Carefully checked spelling, dates, times and contact details
Single-sided or double-sided printing?
The live product options include single-sided and double-sided printing.
Single-sided printing is suitable when the invitation has a focused design and the information fits comfortably on one face. This can work well for a simple birthday announcement, a private celebration or an event where additional information is supplied separately.
Double-sided printing gives you more flexibility. For example:
- Front side with the event title, date and main visual
- Reverse side with directions, timings and RSVP information
- Front side with a formal invitation message
- Reverse side with a schedule and practical notes
- Front side with a business event announcement
- Reverse side with registration instructions and contact details
Plan both sides before designing. Check that the reading order is obvious and that the reverse does not feel like an afterthought.
Choosing the right media
The live A5 product options include a broad selection of media:
- 130gsm Silk
- 150gsm Silk
- 250gsm Silk
- 350gsm Silk
- 120gsm Uncoated
- 300gsm Uncoated
- 140gsm Gesso
- 300gsm Gesso
- 400gsm Artboard
- 280gsm Kraft
- 770gsm Magnetic
GSM means grams per square metre. In straightforward terms, a higher gsm generally indicates a heavier, more substantial sheet. The finish also affects the character of the invitation.
Silk media has a smooth finish with a gentle sheen. Uncoated media has a more natural feel and is often a useful choice where a softer, less reflective appearance is preferred. Gesso offers a distinctive surface, while Kraft creates a warmer, more natural visual direction. Artboard provides a more rigid result, and magnetic media is a specialist option that should be considered according to the purpose of the item.
There is no single correct choice. The best option depends on your design, handling requirements, writing needs and the impression you want the invitation to create.
Lamination and envelope choices
The product options include:
- No laminate
- Matt Laminate
- Gloss Laminate
- Soft Touch Laminate
Matt laminate can reduce reflections and create a restrained finish. Gloss laminate can increase colour impact and suit bold photography or strong geometric artwork. Soft Touch Laminate gives the surface a smooth, tactile feel.
Lamination can affect how easy it is to write on the invitation, so consider whether guests need to add notes or confirmations.
Envelope options include:
- No envelopes
- White envelopes
- Kraft envelopes
A plain white envelope creates a clean, formal presentation. Kraft can complement natural, informal or community-focused event styling. If you already have envelopes, selecting no envelopes may be more appropriate.
Using A5 for schedules and detailed events
One of the strongest advantages of A5 is the room it gives to event information.
A wedding invitation could include the ceremony location, reception details, transport notes and a short order of the day. A graduation event could include arrival guidance, photography arrangements and refreshments. A business launch could include registration, presentation times and contact information for accessibility requirements.
Use typography to create a clear order:
- Event name or main announcement
- Date and time
- Location
- Key message or invitation wording
- Schedule or supporting information
- RSVP and contact details
Avoid reducing the font size simply to include more content. A5 gives you additional space, so use it to improve readability and spacing rather than filling every available area.
Multiple designs and file preparation
Multiple designs can be useful for event ranges or different guest versions where the live product options allow them. For example, you may need separate versions for different arrival times, seating groups, locations or event sessions.
Check every design carefully before uploading. The ordering system cannot detect multi-page documents automatically, so you must choose the correct quantity when supplying multiple pages or designs.
Before ordering, confirm:
- The number of finished invitations required
- The number of different designs
- Whether each design is single- or double-sided
- That each file has the correct A5 dimensions and bleed
- That all event information is consistent
- That names, dates and contact details have been proofread
If you need help creating the artwork, our graphic design service can help organise the content into a clear and effective layout.
Despatch, collection and delivery
The live product includes 1 working-day, 2 working-day and 3–5 working-day despatch choices. Lamination may add additional production time, so check the available option when placing your order and allow time for delivery or collection.
We produce printed work in-house at 69 West Street, Tavistock, Devon. Local customers can arrange collection, while UK-wide delivery is available for organisations and individuals ordering from elsewhere in the country.
Our wider printing service covers a broad range of professionally produced materials, with practical support available when you are choosing media, finishes or artwork specifications.
Summary and Takeaway
A5 invitation printing is a strong choice when your event needs more space for information, visual design or a structured schedule. The finished invitation measures 148 × 210mm, with artwork supplied at 154 × 216mm including 3mm bleed on every edge.
Prepare the artwork in portrait format, keep essential wording inside a safe margin, plan the front and reverse carefully, and proofread every date, time, location and RSVP detail. The live product options include a wide range of media, laminates, envelope choices and despatch times, so select the specification that suits the event rather than choosing by appearance alone.
Whether you are preparing A5 wedding invitations, personalised A5 invitations, A5 birthday invitations or A5 event invitations for a business or community occasion, the larger format gives your information room to breathe.
What details would your event invitation communicate more clearly with the extra space of A5?