In the 14 th century paper was hand made. Each mill had its own “models” and produced different formats. In 1398 an ordinance by the magistrate of Troyes, Louis de Tignonville obliged the paper mills of Troyes to produce specific formats. In 1409, the King Charles VI ordered that before use, each format had to be controlled and signed by the Troyes provost.

To avoid fraud, each paper had to carry its manufacturer’s mark, usually a watermark. This practice enabled the identification of the manufacturer as well as the right side of the paper and prevented dishonest retailers from selling reams of varying qualities of paper.

Inspired by daily life, the paper mills used simple designs: grapes, scallops, crowns, pots, bells, name of Jesus etc.

This lasted until the end of the 15 th century. Little by little forgetting the law, craftsmen copied the formats as well as the most popular designs.. They gave the name of the watercolour markings to the formats.

Countermarks were then invented in order to re-establish the origins of the paper.

Many new formats have been added down through the centuries and today a whole multitude exists, often pertaining to a particular industry or country (United Kingdom, United States…)

French Fine Arts Formats

The most currently formats for fine art paper used in France are the following:

• Raisin : 65 x 50 cm
• Jésus : 75 x 56 cm
• Imperial : 80 x 60cm
• Grand aigle : 105 x 75cm (parfois 110 x 75 cm)
• Grand monde : 120 x 80 cm

Each format is available in double, half or quarter. Ex: ¼ Raisin =24 x 32cm (format of school pack)

Afnor standard formats

Also known as ISO sizes are widely used in metric countries. ISO standards are based on a rectangle whose sides have a ratio of one to the square root of 2 (1.414). No matter how many times a sheet of these proportions is halved, each will retain the same constant proportions.

Originally (1946) they were mainly destined for technical drawings and office supplies. They are now also used in the field of fine arts.

Afnor standard formats allow endless series of paper sizes. Anecdote: a new format name was invented in the field of advertising: the “sucette Decaux” (Decaux' lollipop) refers to the format of the advertising boards of this renowned urban furniture salesman. (168 x 118.8 double A0)

A0 = 84 x 118,8 = 1m²
A1 = 59,4 x 84
A2 = 42 x 59,4
A3 = 29,7 x 42
A4 = 21 x 29,7
A5 = 21 x 14,8
A6 = 10,5 x 14,8

European Fine arts Formats

Two other formats are also popular in Europe

• 70 x 50cm
• 100 x 70 cm