You have a wonderful photo printer that can create beautiful images; now all you need to do is decide what size your prints should be. Of course, it all depends on what you intend to do with the print. Here’s a look at some of the options, as well as the pros and cons, for various paper sizes.
Photo frames for paper 13×19
Other than roll paper or special panoramic sheets, the largest common paper size is 13×19 inches. The first and easiest option is to use the entire sheet and print a 13×19 image. If your camera is an SLR, which typically has a 3:2 image aspect ratio, this is a convenient size as it requires almost no cropping. An uncropped 3:2 image printed on 13×19 paper will only lose half an inch of image. (In other words, the uncropped image would measure 13×19.5 inches.)
Another great print size for 13×19 paper is 12×18. This size has several advantages, as some printers cannot print borderless on all papers. The edges of the paper can be used for a signature or montage, using photo corners that are hidden by a mat.
Neither 13×19 nor 12×18 are standard frame sizes. Some specialty companies, such as Frame Destination, Inc. in Dallas, Texas, offer inexpensive prefabricated frames without mats in these sizes.
These frames are typically inexpensive for two reasons: They use less expensive non-archival components, and since they don’t use a mat, the frame dimension is smaller and therefore requires fewer raw materials to manufacture. An advantage of these frames is that they usually do not require assembly. Simply slide the paper into the frame and you’re good to go. In the case of the 13×19 photo frame, you don’t even need to cut out the paper.
The other framing option is the use of matte cardboard. Although 12×18 and 13×19 mat board are not available, specialty companies like Frame Destination, Inc. offer different mat options for these sizes. You can order a custom rug, or if you have a rug cutter, you can cut it yourself. A standard 18×24 frame size with mat is ideal for this image size. The 12×18 will have a uniform three-inch matte border on all four sides, while the 13×19 will have a 2.5-inch border.
Compact cameras like the Canon PowerShot and Nikon Coolpix or SLRs like the Olympus E-400 use a 4:3 aspect ratio size, which is perfect for 12×16 prints. Although this picture frame size is not 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, another option is to think bigger. If you print it on 13×19 paper, you get a free white border. (Be sure to center the image on the paper!) Assuming the image is in landscape orientation, once you place it in a 13×19 frame, the result will be a 1.5-inch top and bottom border and a 1.5-inch side border. two inches. With a bit of cropping, you could print the image at 9×15 and have a nice, even two-inch border around the image.
A look at other popular paper sizes
For 17-inch printers like the Epson Stylus Pro 3800 and Canon iPF5000, 17×22 is a new common paper size. This is ideal for 16×20 images, which have an endless selection of matted and unmatted frames. Unfortunately, 16×20 is not a 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio; 16×24 is the 3:2 ratio, but can only be printed on 17-inch roll paper.
11×17 or 11×16.5 paper offers many opportunities for 3:2 and 4:3 aspect ratio images, while 11×14 is a popular standard frame size with endless variety with and without mats. 11×17 is close to the 3:2 image ratio, so it looks nice matted with the standard 18×24 frame size and will have a smooth 3.5-inch border all the way around. You can also print at 6×9 and then cut the paper to fit an 11×14 inch picture frame. The result will be a nice 2.5-inch border of smooth white paper around the image.
Finally, although 8×10 paper is available, 8.5×11 paper is much more common. Most 8.5×11 frames are designed for certificates rather than photographs, although specialty framing stores offer 8.5×11 fine art frames.
A Guide to Picture Frames and Photo Print Sizes
Paper size: 13×19
Standard frame sizes: 12×16
Non-standard frame sizes: 12×18, 13×19
Standard Matte Frame Size: 18×24
Recommended image sizes: 10×15, 12×16, 12×18, 13×19
Paper size: 17×22
Standard frame sizes: 16×20
Non-standard frame sizes: 17×22
Standard matte frame size: 20×24, 22×28
Recommended image sizes: 16×20, 17×22
Paper size: 11×17, 11×16.5
Standard frame sizes: 11×14, 9×12
Non-standard frame sizes: 11×17
Standard Matte Frame Size: 16×20, 20×24
Recommended Image Sizes: 6×9, 8×12, 9×12, 10×13, 10×15, 11×14, 11×17
Paper size: 8.5×11
Standard frame sizes: 8×10, 8.5×11
Non-standard frame sizes: 8.5×11 (non-certified frames are less common)
Standard Matte Frame Size: 9×12, 11×14, 16×20
Recommended image sizes: 6×9, 8×10, 8.5×11