ISO 1008:2025

Photography - Unprocessed photographic papers - Sheet dimensions

This document specifies the nominal sizes and aim dimensions, with their cutting tolerances, of black-and-white and colour silver halide containing photographic papers in sheets for pictorial use. It also specifies a method for checking the squareness of the sheets and straightness of their edges and establishes a rule for package marking. The term "pictorial" means the use in the production of photographic prints and therefore excludes products for graphic arts. In International Standards, metric units are prime. However, some older inch sizes are included to add historic context.

Photographie — Papiers photographiques non traités — Dimensions des feuilles

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 09-Oct-2025
• ICS: 37.040.20 - Photographic paper, films and plates. Cartridges
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 42 - Photography
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 42/WG 8 - Joint ISO/TC 42 - ISO/TC 6 WG: Imaging materials - Dimensions
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 10-Oct-2025
• Due Date: 29-Apr-2027
• Completion Date: 10-Oct-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 1008:1992 - Photography - Paper dimensions - Pictorial sheets
• Effective Date: 04-May-2024

Overview

ISO 1008:2025 - Photography - Unprocessed photographic papers - Sheet dimensions defines nominal sizes, aim dimensions and cutting tolerances for black-and-white and colour silver halide photographic papers in sheet form for pictorial use. The standard also specifies a practical method to check squareness and edge straightness, rules for package marking, and measurement conditions (metric units are primary; some historical inch sizes are retained for context).

Key SEO terms: ISO 1008, photographic papers, sheet dimensions, silver halide, unprocessed photographic paper, sheet sizes, cutting tolerances.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to unprocessed silver halide papers for photographic prints (excludes graphic arts).
• Measurement conditions: Dimensions apply at manufacture when measured under standard atmosphere (23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % RH) per ISO 554.
• Preferred / legacy sizes: Table of legacy sizes gives nominal and aim dimensions (examples include 89 × 127 mm, 210 × 297 mm (A4), 305 × 406 mm, etc.). Metric units are primary; some inch-based historic sizes remain.
• Cutting and tolerance rules:
  • For nominal N in cm: aim dimension N (mm) with tolerances:
    • N < 12 cm → N ± 1 mm
    • N ≥ 12 cm → N ± 2 mm
• Squareness and edge straightness: Quality check by comparing a sheet with two perfect rectangles made to the minimum and maximum dimensional tolerances; no point of the sheet perimeter may lie inside the smaller rectangle or outside the larger.
• Package marking requirements: Packages should include product name/size, safelight and storage recommendations, manufacturer ID, quantity, nominal dimensions (metric, width first), batch/parent roll number, expiry or “develop before” date, and other relevant handling data. Conformity statement: “CONFORMING WITH ISO 1008”.

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO 1008:

• Photographic paper manufacturers - for production, cutting, QC and labeling
• Photographic labs and processors - to verify sheet compatibility with enlargers, mounts and equipment
• Distributors and retailers - for accurate package marking and inventory control
• Archivists, museums and conservators - to assess dimensional stability and handling/storage needs
• Equipment designers (cutters, printers, enlargers) - to match media sizes and tolerances

Practical benefits:

• Ensures interoperability of sheets with frames, mounts and finishing workflows
• Standardizes quality checks for squareness and edge straightness
• Improves traceability and safe handling via required package markings

Related standards

• ISO 18055-1 - Inkjet media: photo-grade media dimensions (corresponding sizes)
• ISO 554 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning/testing
• ISO 18903 - Determination of dimensional change (referenced for conditioning times and dimensional stability)
• ISO 1 - Reference temperature for dimensional measurements

ISO 1008 is essential for anyone involved in production, quality assurance or use of unprocessed silver halide photographic papers who needs consistent sheet sizes, tolerances and handling information.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 1008
Third edition
Photography — Unprocessed
2025-10
photographic papers — Sheet
dimensions
Photographie — Papiers photographiques non traités —
Dimensions des feuilles
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Conditions for measurement of dimensions . 1
5 Dimensions . 1
5.1 Preferred sizes .1
5.2 Cutting and tolerance rules for metric sizes .2
6 Squareness and edge straightness . 2
7 Package marking . 2
7.1 Data .2
7.2 Conformity .3
Annex A (informative) Dimensional stability . 4
Bibliography . 5

iii
Foreword
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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
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Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 1008:1992), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— specific reference made to silver halide products to distinguish these from other imaging materials;
— specific reference has also been made to ISO 18055-1, which now covers the corresponding sizes for
photo grade inkjet media.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document
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