38inch16

38inch16 is a rectangular sheet size used in packaging, signage, and light-format printing. The name refers to its two nominal dimensions: 38 inches in one direction and 16 inches in the perpendicular direction.

Applications for 38inch16 include sample boards, trade-show signage panels, backing panels for displays, and cut-stock for smaller cabinet doors or drawer fronts in custom woodworking. It is not a standard issued by a formal standards body, but it is widely recognized in supplier catalogs as a practical stock size that fits common production layouts.

Manufacturing and tolerances vary by supplier, but sheets cut to 38 by 16 inches typically aim for tolerances around plus or minus 1/16 inch for each dimension. Materials offered in this format include plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard, PVC or acrylic plastics, and aluminum composite panels. The choice of material often depends on the end-use requirements such as weight, rigidity, or surface finish.

Origin and usage: the term appears in trade catalogs and online marketplaces from the late 20th century onward, particularly in North American markets. Its persistence is linked to efficient cutting layouts that allow production of multiple 38x16 pieces from larger master sheets, reducing waste in some fabrication workflows.

See also: other nonstandard sheet sizes used in manufacturing, and the broader category of stock-sheet formats used for signage and display materials.