Event Ticket Sizes: How to Pick the Right One

Key Points:

• Event tickets come in various sizes, with the right one depending primarily on the design and content requirements.
• Using standard ticket sizes has practical benefits, including lower printing cost for bulk orders and compatibility with standard envelopes and holders.
• Non-standard ticket sizes are generally reserved for unique branding needs, special security features, and VIP passes.

The most popular event ticket sizes are 2” x 5.5”, 2.75” x 5.5”, 2.75” x 8.5”, and 3.5” x 8.5”, but they come in all kinds of sizes and shapes. Choosing a standard dimension offers many benefits, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for large-volume printing.

Standard Ticket Sizes and Common Uses

Using standard sizes also allows for quick scanning at entry points and makes distribution efficient and affordable since they are compatible with standard envelopes and holders.

Standard Ticket Sizes	Common Applications	Benefits
2” x 5.5” (Stub Ticket Size)	General admission, small local events, raffles, and lotteries	Compact and cost-effective for bulk printing
2.75” x 5.5” (Small Ticket)	Theater shows, intimate music concerts, small venues, and charity events	Remains compact despite offering a bit more space for details
2.75” x 8.5” (Landscape Format)	VIP events, large festivals, high-end concerts, and multi-day passes	Additional room for add-on features like detachable or perforated stubs
3.5” x 8.5” (VIP Ticket Size)	VIP passes, exclusive events, backstage passes, commemorative tickets, and milestone events	Premium feel, excellent choice for physical keepsakes, and more customization options

1.) 2” x 5.5” (Stub Ticket Size)

This is the smallest standard size and is typically used for general admission concerts, raffles, lotteries and community events like food festivals and sports leagues. With a limited space, it’s only suitable for simple designs.

The stub ticket size is an affordable option for bulk printing, although it may look less “premium” or “exclusive.”

2.) 2.75” x 5.5” (Small Ticket)

This size is 0.75” longer than the stub ticket but remains compact that it fits easily in wallets and cardholders. It is often used for music concerts, galas, charity, and community events.

If you have a simple design that includes barcodes or QR codes for entry, this size offers a good balance of space and portability.

3.) 2.75” x 8.5” (Landscape Format)

The additional horizontal space allows for more details, such as schedules, seating information, sponsor logos, QR codes, and other security features. This size is a popular choice for sports events, sponsored festivals, high-end concerts, and events requiring multi-day passes.

Event organizers often use 2.75” x 8.5” tickets when they have to mail these to attendees because they fit standard business envelopes.

4.) 3.5” x 8.5” (VIP Ticket Size)

As the largest standard ticket size, it offers more room for customization, including sponsor logos, seating information, and artwork. It’s also a great option if you want your event tickets to have perforated stubs for complimentary drinks or meals.

Oftentimes, 3.5” x 8.5” is used for premium events like sponsored music concerts, corporate events, and backstage passes, and more. Some brands and event organizers also use this ticket size to differentiate VIP passes from general admission stubs.

If you want your tickets to have a premium feel and look or be seen as keepsakes or souvenirs for a memorable event, then 3.5” x 8.5” is a great option.

How to Choose the Ideal Event Ticket Size

If you’re still unsure which ticket size to choose for your event, these factors can help you pick the ideal dimension.

Content and Design Requirements: Larger tickets offer more space for detailed information, such as seating charts, maps, sponsor logos, and QR codes. By contrast, smaller tickets are suitable for simpler designs.

Security Features: If your design includes QR codes or barcodes, choose a larger ticket size to ensure these features are clear and big enough to allow for easy scanning. If you need to print tickets with a number box, check out this NextDayFlyers guide explaining the various placement options.

Detachable Stubs: If your ticket requires a detachable or perforated stub for raffles, drink vouchers, or free meal, the general recommendation is to use a ticket size that is at least 2.75” x 8.5” or bigger.

Special Requirements: If portability is a top priority, use compact sizes, such as 2” x 5.5” and 2.75” x 5.5”. Meanwhile, opt for larger tickets if you need more room for complex designs and special features like perforated food stubs.

Distribution Method: Ask yourself if you want guests or attendees to purchase the tickets at the venue, mail them using standard envelopes, or sell them through physical stores.

Budget: In general, using smaller, standard ticket sizes is more affordable than printing larger, custom-sized tickets.

When to Use Custom-Sized Event Tickets

The general advice is to use standard ticket sizes because they offer functional and practical benefits. But in some cases, using non-standard sizes (or even unusual shapes) might be a better option.

Unique Branding: The use of tickets with unique dimensions or shapes can help create a unique look that matches your brand.

Exclusive Events: VIP events, grand openings, anniversaries, and milestone events can benefit from custom-sized tickets to convey premium feel and exclusivity.

Security Features: If your ticket design includes bar codes, QR codes, or sequential numbering to deter fraud and improve tracking, you may need a bigger size.

Tickets as Souvenirs: Larger or unique shapes make great keepsakes for concerts, festivals, and milestone events.

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Choosing the correct ticket size ensures all essential details fit, especially barcodes and QR codes that need to be at a certain size to allow for easy scanning. The right dimension should also match the event’s significance and meet specific design and branding needs.

Before choosing a ticket size, the general advice is to understand your content requirements first. Next, you can use NextDayFlyers’ free layout template to see which standard size is the most practical and functional choice.

Our layout templates have bleed and margins to ensure professional, error-free final prints. Margins keep essential design elements like text and logos away from the trim line to prevent them from being cut off, while bleed extends background colors to avoid unsightly white borders.

We also provide free digital proofs so you can check for errors in text, layout, and image placement before final production. This complimentary service helps avoid costly mistakes and reprints.