Guide
Door Hanger Printing: Sizes, Stocks & Die-Cut Options
Door hangers put your offer physically in someone's hand at their front door. Here's how to spec them so they survive the walk, the weather, and the first three seconds of attention.
Quick answer
Order 4.25" x 11" on 16 pt coated stock with a standard 1.75" die-cut hole and slit. That combination fits knob and lever handles, holds up outdoors, and is the cheapest common configuration to print.
Standard door hanger sizes
| Size | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4.25" x 11" | Standard | Most campaigns — service reminders, menus, political canvassing |
| 3.5" x 8.5" | Compact | High-volume drops where cost per piece matters most |
| 4.25" x 14" | Oversized | Coupon strips, multi-service menus, real estate |
| 5" x 7" | Wide | Photo-heavy designs, before/after imagery |
Die-cut hole styles
- Round hole with slit (standard): 1.75" circle with a straight cut to the top edge. Fits knobs and lever handles.
- Round hole, no slit: cleaner look, but only works on round knobs — it must be lifted over the knob.
- Keyhole / teardrop: narrow at the top, wide at the bottom. Grips lever handles more securely in wind.
- Custom die: shaped hangers (a pizza slice, a house, a wrench). Requires a one-time die charge but dramatically increases keep rate.
Stock and coating
- 14 pt coated: the economy option for one-day campaigns in dry weather.
- 16 pt coated: the recommended default. Stiff enough that it does not tear at the hole when it is pulled off.
- UV gloss: water-resistant surface, best for outdoor exposure and photo-heavy artwork.
- Matte or uncoated: choose when the piece has a write-in field (appointment time, estimate amount).
Reinforce the area around the hole in your layout — keep logos and text at least 0.25" away from the die-cut edge so nothing gets clipped.
Campaign tips
- One offer, one action. A door hanger gets about three seconds. Lead with the offer, not your logo.
- Add a tear-off. Perforated coupons give you a measurable redemption rate for the drop.
- Use a unique code or QR link per neighborhood so you can tell which routes convert.
- Print 10–15% overage. Walkers lose, drop, and re-hang pieces; running short mid-route is worse than a few extras.
- Time the drop. Late morning to mid-afternoon reads as service-related; after dark reads as suspicious.
FAQ
What is the standard door hanger size?
4.25" x 11" is the most common door hanger size, followed by 3.5" x 8.5" and 4.25" x 14". The 4.25" x 11" size prints efficiently on a standard sheet, which keeps the cost per piece low.
What size is the hole on a door hanger?
A standard die-cut hole is 1.75" in diameter, positioned about 1" from the top of the piece, usually with a slit down to the top edge so the hanger slides over a knob or lever handle.
What paper should door hangers be printed on?
14 pt or 16 pt coated cardstock is standard. For campaigns that may sit outdoors in rain, choose 16 pt with UV coating or a synthetic stock that will not wick water.
Can door hangers have a tear-off coupon?
Yes. A perforated tear-off strip along the bottom is a popular add-on for coupons, appointment cards, and referral codes, and it lets you measure the response rate of the campaign.
Are door hangers legal to distribute?
Door hangers are widely used because they can be hung on a door without touching the mailbox, which is federally restricted. Local ordinances and HOA rules still vary, so check the neighborhoods on your route before a large drop.
Ready to print?
Browse door hangers → or request a quote for a custom die or tear-off.
Related reading: rack card sizes and EDDM vs targeted direct mail.