Frame Destination Picture Framing

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

Tags: Frame Sizes, framing sizes, photo paper, photo printing, picture frame sizes, printing images

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 17th, 2007 at 6:37 pm and is filed under Business, Frame Sizes, Resources and Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.