Typical sheet set for a design studio
| Sheet | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Title, brief, site location, site analysis |
| 2 | Case study inferences, programme, concept diagrams |
| 3 | Site plan with context, roof plan |
| 4–6 | Floor plans, aligned and at the same scale |
| 7 | Sections, at least two through the most interesting spaces |
| 8 | Elevations |
| 9 | Structure, services, climate and detail |
| 10 | 3D views, model photographs, exploded axonometric |
Layout rules that always help
- Use a grid: for A1 landscape, 12 columns with 10 mm margins works well
- One hero image or drawing per sheet, about 40 to 50 percent of the area
- Align plans vertically so that walls line up from floor to floor
- Place sections directly below or beside the plan they cut
- Keep all sheets in the same orientation with a consistent title strip
- Number the sheets and show a key plan where needed
Line weights and scale
Common scales: site plan 1:500 or 1:200, plans and sections 1:100 or 1:200, details 1:20 or 1:10. State the scale and add a graphic scale bar, since sheets are often reduced for printing.
| Element | Typical pen weight |
|---|---|
| Cut walls and slabs in section | 0.5–0.7 mm |
| Walls in plan | 0.35–0.5 mm |
| Doors, windows, furniture | 0.18–0.25 mm |
| Hatches, floor patterns, dimensions | 0.09–0.13 mm |
| Ground line | 0.7–1.0 mm |
Typography and colour
- Two typefaces at most: one for titles, one for text
- Body text readable from one metre: about 14 to 18 pt on A1
- Limit the palette to greys plus one or two accent colours
- Use colour to explain (zoning, circulation), not to decorate
- Keep render tones consistent across views
Software workflow
- Export drawings from AutoCAD as PDF with correct line weights
- Export views from SketchUp, Rhino or Revit as high-resolution images
- Post-produce plans and sections in Photoshop: fills, shadows, entourage
- Compose in InDesign or Photoshop on a locked grid
- Print a reduced A3 proof before the final plot
Final checklist
- North point and scale on every plan
- Section lines marked on plans
- Room names and levels labelled
- Consistent title block with your name, roll number, studio and sheet number
- Spelling checked
- PDF exported at 300 dpi, fonts embedded
FAQs
Which sheet size is used for architecture submissions?
A1 is the most common for design studios in India, with A0 used for thesis panels and A2 or A3 for junior years and portfolios. Follow your studio's instruction.
How many sheets are needed for a thesis?
Typically 12 to 20 A1 or 8 to 12 A0 sheets, plus a model and a report. Quality and clarity matter more than count.
Is it better to compose in Photoshop or InDesign?
InDesign handles multi-sheet layouts, grids and text better and keeps file sizes smaller. Photoshop is better for post-producing individual drawings and renders. Many students use both.
Can Project Buddyy compose my sheets?
Yes. Send your drawings and views and we compose print-ready sheets with a consistent graphic style, starting from ₹1,499.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-11. Always follow the format your own department gives you.