Same-Day Poster Printing: For Last-Minute Autumn Markets and Events

A market organiser emails on Thursday to say a pitch has come free for Saturday. Or a village committee realises the harvest fair has no signs. Same-day poster printing suits moments like these, when the design is ready but the posters are not. This guide helps you pick the right size, paper and outdoor option, so you can order with confidence.

ExactPrint is based in London and prints the artwork you send. Same-day dispatch is offered at checkout on the A1 and A4 poster pages linked below, and the A1 waterproof poster page shows a same day or free delivery option. Check the options when you order.

What Same-Day Poster Printing Means for Your Stall or Event

Autumn calendars fill up fast, and London markets are no exception. Craft markets, school fairs, charity sales, firework committees and pop-up food stalls often run on short notice. A poster is usually the quickest way to tell people where you are and what you sell.

The process is simple:

1. Finish your artwork at the final poster size.
2. Open the product page for the size you want.
3. Choose your paper type and any finishing option.
4. Select the same-day option at checkout, where it is offered.
5. Upload your file and place the order.

One detail matters when you are short of time. The order form includes an optional artwork check before printing, and the page warns that choosing it may delay the ready time. If your file is already proofed, you can skip it. If you are unsure of your file, the check may be worth the wait.

Availability is shown at checkout, so look at the options on the day rather than assuming. For an urgent job, contact the team before your order.

Choosing a Poster Size from A1 to A4

A1 Poster Printing for Entrances and Stall Backdrops

At 594 x 841mm, an A1 poster is the size to choose when people need to read your message from a few steps away. It suits a hall entrance, the wall behind a stall or a window facing the street.

The A1 poster is printed on 130gsm paper, and you can pick silk, gloss or matt. Gloss lamination is available as an option. Silk gives saturated colour with little glare, which helps in a hall with strong overhead lights. Matt has a non-reflective surface, so text stays easy to read.

The page says you can opt for same-day dispatch at checkout, so an A1 poster for a Saturday market does not have to be planned a week ahead.

Keep the layout plain. A large headline, the date and time, and the place are enough. Everything else can go on smaller posters.

A2 Poster Printing for Stall Fronts and Noticeboards

An A2 poster measures 420 x 594mm. It is easier to place than an A1 and still reads well from a couple of metres.

Good uses for an A2 poster include:

• A sign for the front of a stall
• A "what's on" poster for a community hall noticeboard
• A map or running order for a small event
• A notice for a shop window along the route to the market

Because A2 is smaller, trim the words. One message per poster works better than a crowded page. If you have three messages, print three posters in matching colours.

A3 Posters for Tables and Smaller Pitches

Some pitches have little room. An A3 poster measures 297 x 420mm, which is about right for a table sign, a menu board alternative or a short announcement near a till.

A3 works well as a supporting size. Use an A1 to catch attention from the entrance, then place A3 posters at the stall to explain your products or your cause.

A4 Poster Printing for Handouts, Rotas and Small Notices

An A4 poster is 210 x 297mm, the size most people already know from home printers. Printed on 130gsm paper in gloss, satin or matte, an A4 poster is useful for the small jobs that appear at the last minute:

• Volunteer rotas
• Raffle details
• Stall rules for traders
• Lost-and-found notices
• Directions to the toilets or the car park

The A4 page also lists a same-day dispatch option at checkout. Since A4 suits quick, practical notices, it is often the size people order when something has gone wrong and needs fixing before the doors open.

Outdoor Markets, Paper Finishes and Design Tips

Outdoor Markets: When to Choose Waterproof Posters

Many autumn markets run outside, and paper posters are a poor match for a wet afternoon. For anything displayed outdoors, use a waterproof poster instead of a standard photo poster.

The A1 waterproof poster measures 594 x 841mm and is made to resist water, sunlight and dust. Its page also shows same day or free delivery at checkout, so you can check the options for your order.

Daylight is another factor. The clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026, so later markets will finish in darker conditions. Bold, high-contrast artwork helps your message stay readable as the light drops.

Use standard photo posters indoors or in sheltered spots, and keep waterproof posters for anything exposed to the weather.

Design Tips for Posters You Need in a Hurry

A rushed design still needs to be clear. These checks take a few minutes and prevent most reprints:

1. Lead with one message. Put the event name or your offer at the top in large type.
2. Add the practical details. Date, opening times and place should be easy to find.
3. Use strong contrast. Dark text on a light background, or the reverse, reads best from a distance.
4. Check the size. Set up the file at the poster size you are ordering.
5. Proofread aloud. Read every name, date and time out loud before you upload.
6. Ask the organiser. Market and venue organisers may have rules on where posters can go, so confirm with them first.

Get Your Event Posters Printed Fast

Last-minute plans do not have to mean last-minute stress. With same-day poster printing, you can turn a finished file into a printed sign. Choose the same-day option at checkout where it is offered, then get on with setting up your pitch. Pick the size that fits your space, switch to waterproof if the market is outdoors, and keep the message simple.

Whether your stall is at a London market or a village fair, start with the A1 poster, choose your paper and look at the same-day option at checkout. Open the product page for the size you need, read the options shown for your order and contact the team before you pay if the job is urgent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get posters printed on the same day?

Same-day dispatch is offered at checkout on the A1 and A4 photo poster pages, and the A1 waterproof poster page shows a same day or free delivery option. Availability is shown when you order, so check the options at that point. For urgent orders, contact the team before you pay.

Which poster size is best for a market stall?

A1 suits an entrance or backdrop where people read from a distance. A2 works for the front of a stall, while A3 and A4 suit tables and short notices. Many stallholders use one large poster and a couple of smaller ones.

Are your posters suitable for outdoor use?

Standard photo posters are printed on paper, so they are better indoors or in sheltered spots. For outdoor markets, choose a waterproof poster, which is made to resist water, sunlight and dust.

Which paper finish should I choose?

Silk gives rich colour with little glare. Gloss makes colours look brighter and more vivid. Matt is listed on the A1, A2, A3 and A4 poster pages. It has a non-reflective surface that is easy to read under different lighting. Finish names can differ slightly between pages, so check the options for your size.