16x20 Print.. Mat Board size?

[ToddB]

What would be the standard mat size for a 16x20 print. Typically a 11x14 print would mount with a 16x20 mat ect.. seems to double with the bigger you go.


ToddB

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

20x24 or 24x28 is typical.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

I find 22x28 looks best.

 

[ToddB]

Thanks guys.. 20x24 is standard frame size too.

Todd

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Thanks guys.. 20x24 is standard frame size too.

Todd

That is what I think looks best too. Usually I leave space around the perimeter of the print, so that there is plenty of border. Print size actually becomes something like 13.5 x 18". Having three inches on each side around the mat board I think helps tremendously. The only thing I don't like about 20x24 mat board is that most rag stock for window mats are 32x40 inches, leaving an 8" piece of trim along the entire length that becomes waste.

 

[L Gebhardt]

22x28 is also a standard frame size, my personal preference.

That's what I've settled on too.

 

[ToddB]

I looked at Light Impression site and they have the 20x24 Rag mats. Didn't see 22x28.

Todd

 

[L Gebhardt]

Todd, before you buy from Light Impressions do a search here and on the large format forum. They aren't the reputable company they once were. But they do seem to have moved back to Rochester, NY so maybe things have changed again for the better.

I just tried out Frame Destination, who are sponsors here, and I was very happy with the experience. I ordered frames, mat board and plexi and it was the best packing job I have seen. Plus the cuts are clean on the metal frames and the plexi had not dust or other cutting debris on it. All much better than the other place I used.

 

[ToddB]

That was my next question. Light Impression is pretty expensive. Do guy know of any other places that you ordered from that I could check? I'll check out Frame Distination.

Todd

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I've had 3 great experiences buying mattes and frames from Frame Destination.

 

[ToddB]

Found a place called Achive Method.. Really ressonable.

Todd

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

In my experience best price means nothing if they send you nicked or damaged mattes. Find some reviews of that site before you place your order to confirm good service and product.

 

[ToddB]

Good Point.. I did ordered some 16x20 FB DW Paper from Photo Warehouse. I hope I don't regret it.

Todd

 

[Vaughn]

I have many 16x20 prints on 20x24. Sadly. Way too small for my taste, but at the time I could not afford bigger as I could get two 20x24's out of a full sheet (32x40). Image size is around 15x19, with a window cut about 16x20. I was printing full-frame 4x5 negs.

I found that 22x28 is great for vertical 16x20 prints, but lousy (IMO only of course) for horizontals. Way too much space on the sides compared to to top and bottom. Might work fine for full-frame proportions of 35mm negs.

I find that 24x28 looks great for both vertical and horizontal 16x20's. Again, image size is actually around 15x19, with a window cut just a tad bigger than 16x20. Love this as I get a usable 16x20 piece for 8x10 or 11x14 images!

The 24x28 requires more wall space than 20x24, of course, but I like the amount of white (~4") around the prints.

Vaughn

 

[ROL]

22x28 was AA's recommendation in The Print. After having some 16x20's on the wall for a while, I found that 22x28 didn't work for my 4:5's. Too crowded. I found bliss at 24x30 for all my ~20" longest dimension prints for 4:5, 3:5, and 1:2 aspect ratios.

 

[polyglot]

I use 24x28 (actually 600x700mm) for my 16x20 prints. Window size is about 15x19.

You do end up blowing most of a 32x40 mat on each frame with some left over for framing 8x10s, but that's still way cheaper than the museum glass etc. Assuming you're not randomly changing the aspect ratios and can live with a standard 15x19 window, you can of course re-use the mat and change the print over occasionally.

 

[tkamiya]

That was my next question. Light Impression is pretty expensive. Do guy know of any other places that you ordered from that I could check? I'll check out Frame Distination.

Todd

I buy regularly from Frame Destination. I find the least expensive way to mat is to establish a few standard colors and buy boards in bulk, then buy a reasonably good mat cutter and do it myself. In less than a year, I saved more than what I paid for the mat cutter. (About $200)

I typically leave at least 3" all the way around.

 

[Keith Pitman]

20x24 is too tight. I use 22x28. Also recommend Archival Methods. Stay away from Light Impressions; very unreliable.

 

[ToddB]

That great on approval on Archival Methods. Anyonone got an approval Photo Warhouse?
Todd

 

[George Collier]

I've used 20x24 frames/mattes for 16x20 prints in the past for shows because being standard size, everything can be cheaper. I used to feel like it was a bit tight, but was told by a number of people in the exhibition and art community not to worry about it for shows - if someone wants to buy a print, you can have one framed for them any way they want.

 

[ROL]

...if someone wants to buy a print, you can have one framed for them any way they want.

That's assuming their artistic sensibilities trump your own. One has to draw the line somewhere in presentation. The only time I've ever heard anything like that is as a pure expression of commerce. While I don't officially frame prints for buyers, nor officially care, the mounted and windowed print determines frame size, not the buyer. Of course, if the "artist" just isn't into that (e.g. the work's creator absolves themselves of any aesthetic decisions regarding presentation), he/she can always offer bare prints, cut, cropped, widowed (or not) to any size judged by the buyer – a true collaborative effort laugh of both purchaser and creator. Heck, why not just invite buyers into your lab to help you determine cropping under the enlarger, contrast, areas of dodging and burning, or other manipulations? Many people, because of ignorance or heedlessness, throw bare prints into a frame squished directly against the glazing (including me on occasion ...OK, it was a small inkjet print in a dime store portrait frame of my dog at the river). All those "archival" print treatments so vehemently touted and argued in classical photography forums are then just so much hot air. All that seems to speak more of a concession to commercialism than it does of professionalism. OTOH, one might possibly care enough about their work to decide on its eventual size and content without the participation and judgement of others.

 

[George Collier]

ROL - you make some good points and although I didn't go into this, part of the "cost / commerce" decision is the total scope of the event. If mounting a show in the city library with 20 - 30 prints to frame, I could make a different decision than when framing one image for a competition in a more upscale venue. But you are right that the presentation is a part of the image's final form and will, or can affect the viewer.

 

[MattKing]

One can mount 16x20 in a 20x24 Mat Board for storage and handling purposes and then over-mount the result in a larger board for display and presentation.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

One can mount 16x20 in a 20x24 Mat Board for storage and handling purposes and then over-mount the result in a larger board for display and presentation.

I'd listen to him. After all, he is the MattKing.