Most newspapers are published in wide page format.
The term “broadsheet” is used to refer to a generic paper size and specific types of publications that have historically been produced on this paper. The classic example is a newspaper with a large circulation, and many newspaper publishers prefer the broadsheet size. Newspapers that claim to act as major news authorities are classically printed on sheets of this size.
Unlike many other paper sizes, which include very precise dimensions, the size of a broadsheet can vary considerably. As a general rule, the leaves are long vertically and short horizontally, with a length of at least 56 centimeters (22 inches) and a width that can vary. When in original size, one sheet of paper is printed and folded to create four pages: one front, one back, and two inside pages. A half-width sheet is a single sheet of paper printed on both sides without wrinkles. For convenience in distribution, these documents are often folded in half lengthwise, but the fold does not affect the number of pages.
The origins of this size of paper seem to be in the 1600s, when the first newspapers began to print a half sheet of newspaper with important news. The size was also used for song lyrics, posters, and other informational materials. Over time, news producers began to adopt the actual size, and eventually additional sheets were interleaved to create the newspaper. The term was used to refer to newspapers as well as the advertising materials printed on these large sheets of paper.
Various explanations have been put forward as to why the broadsheet paper size has become so popular. In the days of single sheet publications, the larger the paper, the more information could be printed on it, which may have been a factor. Historically, taxes were also calculated by the number of pages rather than size, so using large pages would have reduced the total number needed, and thus the tax rates for a publisher.
The real explanation seems to lie in the traditional association between great things and greater authority. A publication the size of a broadsheet seemed more official, respectable, and trustworthy than a smaller newspaper. It was also more difficult to print, which is why many producers switched to tabloid size, which is about half the size. The implications of the larger size were that the newspaper was a respectable authority that could afford the large presses needed to produce print, as opposed to a cheap, low-market tabloid that was forced to use a smaller paper size. Of course, most modern presses are fully capable of handling supersize, but the link between “broadsheet” and “respected authority” still exists for many, which is why full-size newspapers attract buzz when changed to a smaller tabloid size. .