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Common Print Sizes for Art

Art has various forms and sizes. When we’re talking about artwork and photographs, There are certain standard sizes of artwork that allow it to be easier to figure out a method to showcase it.

If you’re framing prints with no matboard, the process of finding the right frame is straightforward. The frame size refers to the dimensions of the frame’s interior. The frame is identical to the size of the print. 

Therefore, an image of 5 x 7 will fit into the frame in a 5 x 7 frame. Art prints and photo prints are typically matted. They can be matted, adding a new dimension to the framing process.

In lieu of measuring the frame and working out the proper size of your frame as well as the mats for the frame yourself, here is our detalied guide for common print sizes for art.Common Print Sizes for Art

A brief background on sizes for papers

A brief background on sizes for papers

Common Print Sizes for Art

If we consider it, We tend to think that the sizes of paper we use daily are the same across the globe. However, this was not the case historically up until the last few years, when each country set its own guidelines for paper sizes. 

Thankfully, the wide variety of sizes for a paper that was prevalent during the first half of the 1900s has led to two primary international systems that are used currently.

These two systems are discussed in detail below:

  1. The measurement system is the metric ISO system, which includes ISO 216.

(“ISO” is the acronym for ISO, stands for “International ISO,” stands for the “International Organization for Standardization,” and their “standard 216” is built on German Institute for Standardization’s “DIN 476” standard, which was adopted in Germany during the 1920s). 

Today, most countries around the world are using ISO 216 and related standards. This metric-based system defines what is known as the “A,” “B,” and “C” series of sizes of papers and lesser-known sizes. There were variations upon this model (such for instance the Japanese JIS “A” and the ‘B’ series).

2.) North American ‘Imperial’ based system

North American 'Imperial' based systemThe system, which is based upon measurements in inches, is still being used across both the USA as well as Canada. A handful of countries utilize the ISO standard as well as that of the U.S. letter format, including Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Columbia, Venezuela, and the Philippines.

In 1995, the ANSI (American National Standard Institute) introduced an entirely new standard for sizes of paper (named the “ASME Y14.1 standard) that specified the American “Letter” style in ANSI A during the “Ledger” or “Tabloid form in ANSI B. 

This format is called the American response to the ISO paper standards. More on this will be revealed later.

A detailed section of different sizes of paper is given below:

Photography: Most common frame sizes and print sizes

Photography: Most common frame sizes and print sizesFine photography by artists and other kinds of art that are professionally produced is purchased at an art fair, gallery exhibit, and directly through the artist; typically, they are offered in only a handful of sizes. Additionally, there are custom mat boards and frames for them all.

Take note that for prints that measure 18 x 24 inches or less, Frame Destination cuts the mat’s window to be 1/8 inch smaller than the print. 

This allows for the full image to be visible. Frames that are off the shelf and standard frames, as well as other frame shops, might cut mats one-quarter-inch smaller. 

The following suggestions are based on Frame Destination mat cutting standards.

Photo Print Size   Mat Window Opening   Picture Frame (Inside)

5 x 7                       4 3/4 x 6 3/4                     8 x 10, 11 x 14

8 x 10                     7-3/4 x 9-3/4                    11 x 14, 16 x 20

11 x 14                   10 3/4 x 13 3/4                 16 x 20

12 x 18                   11 3/4 x 17 3/4                 16 x 22 18 x 24, 20 x 26

13 x 19                   12 3/4 x 18 3/4                 18 x 24

16 x 20                   15 3/4 x 19 3/4                 20 x 24

17 x 22                   16 3/4 x 21 3/4                 24 x 28

Prints on art: The most commonly used sizes and frames

Since art prints are copies of original works, the sizes of prints (like photographs) are typically the same. If you’re buying prints of art from other countries than those in the United States, you may be confronted with a variety of sizes, including A2, A3, A3, and A4.

The sizes of these prints belong to the A series of the ISO 216 standard, which is extensively used throughout the globe. 

The dimensions are provided below, as well as conversion to imperial units and the equivalent Frame Destination art and frame dimensions.

There aren’t any sizes that are standard U.S. frame sizes that precisely correspond to the ISO 216 paper sizes, making a custom frame the most effective way to ensure an exact size. But, there are “close enough” sizes that can fit your art. 

It is important to note that some sizes could be difficult to locate or are too big for the art you’re displaying.

Artwork Size              Mat Window Opening                          Picture Frame (Inside)

A2

420 mm x 594 mm

16.5 x 23.4

(16 1/2 x 23 7/16)           16 1/4 x 23 3/16                                   21 1/2 x 29 7/16

                                                                                                     Close Enough: 22 x 30

A3

297 mm x 420 mm

11.7 x 16.5

(11 3/4 x 16 1/2)              11 1/2 x 16 1/4                                    16 3/4 x 22 1/2

                                                                                                     Close Enough: 18 x 24

A4

210 x 297 mm

8.3 x 11.7

(8 5/16 x 11 3/4)             8 1/16 x 11 1/2                                     13 5/16 x 17 3/4

                                                                                                     Close Enough: 16 x 20

16 x 24 15 3/4 x 23 3/4                                                               20 x 28

                                                                                                    24 x 32

20 x 24 19 1/2 x 23 1/2                                                               24 x 28

                                                                                                    28 x 32

 

If you’re working with a standard-sized photograph or art print, we’re here to ensure that the final product is exceptional.

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