Frame Destination Inc. » Frame Sizes

Mat Board Opening Size

Mark Rogers — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:18:28 +0000

Dimensions for mat board openings can be very confusing. It is very counter intuitive, but the opening of a mat board should never be the same size as the photograph or print being framed. Usually it is a little smaller and sometimes it is larger, but not the same. Most pre-cut mats are cut 1/2 inch smaller than the photo print. That allows the mat to overlap the image by 1/4 inch on both sides. That brings up another confusing issue. If you want 1/4 of overlap the mat window must be cut 1/2 inch smaller and not 1/4 inch smaller because there are two sides. Personally I think 1/4 inch is too much overlap and so do most custom framers so the default for prints that are smaller than 18×24 is 1/8 inch overlap on Frame Destination pre-cut mats. For example, an FDI mat for 11×14 print would be cut to 10-3/4” x 13-3/4”.

Sometimes people will do what is called float mounting where the mat opening is larger than the image being framed. This is done to ensure that no part of the image is covered up and also to allow for a signature below the image. When doing this it is common to leave a 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap between the image and the mat board for the top and sides of the print. That means that width of the mat opening will be 1/2 to 1 inch larger than the image. When leaving room for a signature the bottom gap will usually be 1/2 to 1 inch. That results in the height of the mat being 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches larger than the visible part of the image.

Cheers,
Mark
Frame Destination, Inc.

FDI ready-made frames in 8×10 and 16×20

Mark Rogers — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:23:58 +0000

Ready-Made Picture Frame

Frame Destination has recently added a couple of new standard frame sizes to our selection of FDI ready-made picture frames. The FDI picture frames were originally created to offer an inexpensive framing option for inkjet prints in non-standard sizes such as 8×12, 11×17, 12×18, 13×19, 17×22, and 17×25. Many people are using them for framing all kinds of other artwork so now we have rounded out the line with standard sizes 8×10, 8.5×11, 11×14, and 16×20.
These are black metal frames (our profile 2) with a smooth white 1/8 foamcore backing, and glass.

Of course if you need a different size you can just go to the frame kit section of our website. Just select “Frames” – “Complete Kit” from the top menu bar. Select “no mat”. That will bring you to our metal frame kit page for complete frames without a mat which include free hanging kits. You can select one of over 60 different sizes or select custom and create your own size. Then just select
Moulding Style: “Profile 2”
Mount Board type: “Foamboard Regular 1/8 inch”
Glass or Acrylic: “Glass”

Of course you can select other options if you want acid free or a mat. Profile 2 is not very tall so if you do want a mat then you will want to select “Profile 117” which looks the same from the front but has a deeper rabbet.

Cheers,
Mark

New uncut and sheet mat board

Mark Rogers — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:47:30 +0000

Frame Destination, Inc. is happy to announce that we have added support for uncut mat board to our website under top menu “Components -> Uncut Mat Board”. Uncut mat board has no window cut in the center to display photographs or other artwork. This matboard is cut to specific size (except for 32×40 raw sheets). It is for people that like to cut their own custom size window openings, or for people that are float mounting and need a color matched backing board to mount the image to. It is also for people that just prefer to mount to matboard instead of foamcore mount board. The least expensive (per square inch) mat board size is our 32×40 raw sheet. It is uncut direct form the manufacturer. Since we have no cutting labor we can sell it for less, but please note, it will not be exactly 32×40 in size or square.

Of course we will offer this new product in standard frame sizes such as 16×20 and 18×24, but it is also available in many non standard sizes such as 12×18, 13×19 or 16×16. We have over 60 different sizes and you can also just select custom in the size pull-down and specify any size you need including large panoramic sizes.

We have three different types of uncut mat board:
4-ply Archival (acid and lignin free) Bainbridge Alphamat
8-ply Archival (acid and lignin free) Bainbridge Cotton Rag
4-ply Buffered Paper Mat Board

Cheers,
Mark
Frame Destination, Inc.

17×25 Picture Frame and Paper

Mark Rogers — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:40:00 +0000

Since lots of photographers enjoy printing full frame 3:2 images without cropping them inkjet paper companies such as Red River have started offering 17×25 inkjet paper. That size is excellent for printing 16×24 prints from printers such as the Epson 3800, 4880 or Canon ipf5000. At Frame Destination 16×24 has always been a standard image size for our complete picture frames that include mats but we recently added a new ready-made picture frame that is specifically designed to hold 17×25 inch paper. It is very cost effective frame that requires not mounting. Simply open one side of the 17×25 picture frame, slide your print in, and replace the side.

Shop for Red River 17×15 paper here
Shop for our 17×25 ready-made picture frames here

Nielsen Picture Frame for 8×8 images

Mark Rogers — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:56:00 +0000

Nielsen has discontinued there Gallery Collection 16×20 frame for 8×8 images (GF1950C). We have a few left in stock and are selling them at 25% off of our regular low price of $36.95 or $27.71. In case you are unsure about this actually being a low price, B&H sells the same frame for 8×10 images at $43.95 (Nielsen part number GF1950D).

You can find the frame in our ready-made frame section.

These frames are back loading frames and we are also one of the few companies to actually sell hanging kits designed specifically to work on back loading style picture frames.

Cheers,
Mark

Inkjet Print Sizes for Picture Framing

Mark Rogers — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:37:00 +0000

You have purchased a wonderful photo printer that can create beautiful images – now you must decide what size image you’d like to print and what size paper to print it on. The sizing depends on what you intend to do with the finished print. Let’s look at some options – and the trade-offs – for printing images on various paper sizes. Keep in mind that if you plan to sell your images, many customers prefer that the external mat size is a standard picture frame size such as 11×14, 16×20, or 18×24 so they are not forced into a custom frame shop.

13×19 Printer Paper – Framing Options

Aside from roll or special panoramic sheet paper, the largest common paper size is 13×19 inches. The simplest option is to use the entire sheet and print a 13×19 image. If you have an SLR, which normally has an image aspect ratio of 3:2, this is a convenient size because it requires almost no cropping. An un-cropped 3:2 image printed on 13×19 paper will only lose one-half inch of the image. (In other words, the un-cropped image would measure 13×19.5 inches.)

Another excellent image size for 13×19 paper is 12×18. This size creates its own border, which is advantageous because some printers are not able to print full borderless on all papers. The borders on the paper can be used for the artist’s signature, or as a mounting aid utilizing photo corners . (The corners can be concealed with a mat.)

The 13×19 and 12×18 are not standard picture frame sizes. However, some specialty companies such as Frame Destination Inc. do offer inexpensive, ready-made frames in these sizes. These frames are inexpensive for two reasons: They do not contain a mat and they use less expensive non-archival components. Another advantage to these frames is that they typically require no mounting. You simply slip the paper into the frame and you’re done. In the case of the 13×19 picture frame , you don’t even need to trim the paper.

Some photographers prefer using a mat board with their prints. Although mat boards with 12×18 and 13×19 openings are is not readily available, specialty companies like Frame Destination Inc. offer mats with openings in these sizes . An 18×24 standard frame size with mat is ideal for these image sizes. With the 18×24 the 12×18 will have an even three-inch mat border surrounding the image, and the 13×19 will have an even 2.5 inch mat border.

Compact cameras such as Canon PowerShot and the Nikon Coolpix, and SLRs such as the Olympus E-400 use the 4:3 aspect ratio size, which is perfect for 12×16 prints. Although this picture frame size is not nearly as common as 11×14 or 16×20, it is still a standard frame size.

Although a 10×15 print would normally be done on smaller paper, think BIG and print a 10×15 centered image onto 13×19 paper. You get free a white border, and if placed in a 13×19 frame, the result will be a 1.5-inch top and bottom border, and two-inch side border. A 9×15 image can also be printed onto 13×19 paper, and with a little cropping you can achieve an even two-inch border surrounding the image.

Summary of Options for 13×19 Paper

Paper Size: 13×19

Standard Frame Sizes: 12×16

Non-standard frame Sizes: 12×18 , 13×19

Standard Matted Frame Size: 18×24

Recommended Image Sizes: 10×15, 12×16, 12×18, 13×19

17×22 Printer Paper – Framing Options

17×22 is a new common paper size for 17-inch printers such as Epson Stylus Pro 3800 and Canon iPF5000. This is ideal for 16×20 images, which have an infinite selection of matted and un-matted frames. Unfortunately, 16×20 is neither a 3:2 nor 4:3 ratio; 16×24 is the 3:2 ratio but can only be printed on 17-inch roll paper.

Summary of Options for 17×22

Paper Size: 17×22

Standard Frame Sizes: 16×20

Non-standard frame Sizes: 17×22

Standard Matted Frame Size: 20×24, 22×28

Recommended Image Sizes: 16×20, 17×22

11×17 and 11×16.5 Printer Paper – Framing Options

These paper sizes are good choices for 3:2 and 4:3 aspect ratio images. The 11×17 is close to the 3:2 image ratio. It can be matted to the standard 18×24 frame size, which creates an even 3.5-inch border around the image. Another interesting option with these two paper sizes is to print an image as 6×9 and then crop the paper to fit in an 11×14 picture frame. The result will be an even 2.5-inch white paper border surrounding the image.

Summary of Options for 11×17 and 11×16.5 Paper

Paper Size: 11×17, 11×16.5

Standard Frame Sizes: 11×14, 9×12

Non-standard frame Sizes: 11×17

Standard Matted Frame Size: 16×20, 20×24

Recommended Image Sizes: 6×9, 8×12, 9×12, 10×13, 10×15, 11×14, 11×17

8.5×11 Printer Paper – Framing Options

Although 8×10 paper is available, 8.5×11 is a common paper size. Most 8.5×11 frames are designed for certificates rather that photos, although some specialty frame shops do offer 8.5×11 picture frames.

Summary of Options for 8.5×11 Paper

Paper Size: 8.5×11

Standard Frame Sizes: 8×10, 8.5×11

Non-standard frame Sizes: 8.5×11 (non-certificate frames less common)

Standard Matted Frame Size: 9×12, 11×14, 16×20

Recommended Image Sizes: 6×9, 8×10, 8.5×11

13×38 panoramic clear bags

Mark Rogers — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 22:30:00 +0000

I have just lowered the price on our custom 13×38 clear bags by nearly 15%. We had Impact Images custom manufacture this size for us. These bags can used to store and display inkjet prints on 13×38 inch paper. We have also added a new picture frame size for 13×38. In addition to having picture frames, foamcore and bags at 13×38 we also have a standard mat size for 8×32 inch images with an external size picture frame size of 13×38.

Cheers,

Mark

New Picture Frames for Digital Photography

Mark Rogers — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:44:00 +0000

Frame Destination, Inc. was the first to offer 3:2 aspect ratio picture frames such 13×19. Now we have introduced a new line of picture frames to accommodate the 4:3 aspect ratio. The new picture frame sizes have been added for 9×12, 10×13, 12×16 and 18×24 inch photo prints. Today, most of the popular compact cameras – such as the Canon PowerShot and the Nikon Coolpix – use the 4:3 aspect ratio, and some SLRs, such as the Olympus E-400 and their SP-550, which is built much like an SLR, also use this aspect ratio.

In addition to the new 4:3 picture frames, Picture Frames Destination rolled out new sizes for panoramic picture frames that include a 1:2 aspect ratio (6×12, 8×16, 10×20, 12×24 and 16×32) and a 1:3 aspect ratio (4×12, 5×15, 6×18, 10×30 and 12×36). With its extensive offerings, Frame Destination, Inc. has more than 80 mat sizes and over 60 picture frame sizes.

Based on the popularity of our 8×8 and 10×10 picture frames, we’ve also added new sizes for our rectangular picture frames including 5×5, 16×16 and even 20×20. In addition to those new picture frame sizes, Frame Destination, Inc. also has added picture frames to support prints from 17-inch printers – including the Epson Stylus Pro 3800 and the Canon iPF5000. We have also added 17×22 as a standard picture frame size, as well as offering two sizes for matting 17×22 images.

Cheers,

Mark

Panoramic clearbags for 13×38 images

Mark Rogers — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:49:00 +0000

Per Jim Coffee’s request on the yahoo artshow_photo forum, I had Impact Images (clearbags) manufacture a custom size bag for 13 x 38 panoramic prints. The actual size is 13 7/16 x 38 1/8 so a mounted print will fit in the bag. My company is also offering 13×38 foamboard. 13×38 is a significant panoramic size because 13×38 paper is available from Red River (www.redriverpaper.com). I know other companies make panoramic paper of similar sizes but I went with this one because of Jim, and my company is familiar with Red River paper. This size is not available from clearbags.

13×38 100 pack of clear bags

http://www.framedestination.com/product.php?action=detail&productId=1445

13 x 38 10 pack of clearbags

http://www.framedestination.com/product.php?action=detail&productId=1446

13×38 acid free foamboard

http://www.framedestination.com/product.php?action=detail&productId=1447

Cheers,
Mark
President Frame Destination, Inc.

http://www.framedestination.com

Inexpensive frame for 12×18 prints

Mark Rogers — Tue, 16 May 2006 14:55:00 +0000

12×18 is becoming a standard photo print size available from many photo labs. Even Costco is offering 12×18 pictures. It is also easy for people to print this size at home on 13×19 paper. That size is the first 3/2 ratio size compatible with most SLR cameras to become available since the 4×6. Picture Frame Destination has always sold picture frames for the 12×18 image size but they were the higher end frames with mats. We have recently decided to add a new ready-made frame in the 12×18 size that is just like our 13×19. We use high quality aluminum moulding with glass and foamcore to create a simple elegant frame to make it inexpensive and easy to get your 12×18 images on display in a photo frame. The frame even includes a hanging kit so all you need to supply is the photo.

Cheers,

Mark