B4 Size

Term from Manga Production industry explained for recruiters

B4 size is a standard paper size commonly used in manga and comic production in Japan. It's larger than regular printer paper, which allows artists to draw detailed artwork that will later be reduced for publication. When artists mention B4 in their resume, they're referring to their ability to work with this professional-standard size paper, which is roughly 10 x 14 inches (25.7 x 36.4 cm). This is important because working at B4 size is an industry standard practice - artwork is typically drawn larger than its final printed size to maintain quality when reduced.

Examples in Resumes

Created 20+ manga pages monthly using B4 Size paper for professional publication

Developed character designs and layouts on B4 standard format

Trained junior artists in proper use of B4 Size formatting and proportions

Typical job title: "Manga Artists"

Also try searching for:

Comic Artist Manga Illustrator Mangaka Comic Illustrator Manga Creator Storyboard Artist Comic Book Artist

Where to Find Manga Artists

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage a team of artists working on B4 size layouts while maintaining consistency?

Expected Answer: A senior artist should explain their experience in setting up guidelines for consistent page layouts, organizing workflow between team members, and quality control processes for B4 artwork before reduction.

Q: What considerations do you take into account when planning complex scenes on B4 paper?

Expected Answer: They should discuss planning for detail preservation after size reduction, panel layout strategies, and how they accommodate both action scenes and dialogue within the B4 format.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure your B4 artwork will reproduce well when reduced to tankobon (manga volume) size?

Expected Answer: Should explain their understanding of line weights, spacing, and detail placement that will maintain quality when artwork is reduced for final publication.

Q: What tools and techniques do you use when working with B4 size paper?

Expected Answer: Should be able to discuss their preferred tools, demonstrate knowledge of industry-standard materials, and explain their process for utilizing the B4 space effectively.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Why is B4 size used in manga production?

Expected Answer: Should understand that B4 is the industry standard size that allows for better detail work and cleaner reduction for final printing.

Q: What are the basic measurements of B4 paper and how do you prepare it for manga drawing?

Expected Answer: Should know the dimensions and be able to explain basic setup including margins, guidelines, and standard panel layouts on B4 paper.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic panel layouts on B4 paper
  • Understanding of size reduction principles
  • Basic tool usage for B4 format
  • Simple page compositions

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Efficient B4 space utilization
  • Complex panel arrangements
  • Quality maintenance in size reduction
  • Advanced composition techniques

Senior (5+ years)

  • Team coordination for B4 format projects
  • Advanced layout planning
  • Quality control processes
  • Training and mentoring abilities

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unfamiliarity with standard B4 size measurements
  • No experience with size reduction considerations
  • Poor understanding of panel layout principles
  • Lack of proper tool knowledge for professional manga production