standard mat size

[Daniel_OB]

What are by standard (or standard frames) exact mat outside dimensions for:
from 5x7 paper size to 20x24 paper size?

 

[ann]

do you mean, commerically made photo frames? With or without a matt window?

You can place any paper size on any matt size. It is the matt board dimensions that determines the frame size.

 

[Daniel_OB]

Ann, yes it is about commercialy available frames you can buy in photo stores or walmart,...
Sometimes I cannot ship picture with frame and glass, so I have to provide mat size (which I ship with a photograph) for the frame customer buy just anywhere as standard.
Thanks

 

[ann]

most of those frames do not come with windows, but some do; so you would need to know what the customer is using.

Perhaps you should determine what the print needs for a mat size and then mount it to those dimension. Keep them in mind to the standard commerical frames which are most commonly 8x10, 11x14.

Why not check on line several places taht sell commerical type frames; ie. Sam Flax or even Walmart . that should give you more specifics.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Daniel - it really varies in part based on what kind of look you want the presentation to have. Normally, I mat 5x7 images to an 11x14 mat. 8x10's go in anything from 11x14 to 16x20, depending. 14x17 is a popular mat size for 8x10 because it allows you to mount either horizontal or vertical images in the same size mat, keeping the frame always in a vertical orientation. 11x14 prints go in a 16x20 mat. Beyond 11x14, the general rule is at least a 2" border on each dimension. So a 12x16 print would need a 16x20 mat, matted tight, or an 18x24 matted loose. A 16x20 print would take at a minimum a 20x24 mat, or if you felt like being generous, a 24x30 mat. A 20x24 print should be in a 32 x40 mat, if you want to stick to "standard" sizes. To save yourself a bit of money, you could cut that down to 24x30, but then the mat starts to look rather small.

 

[Daniel_OB]

I think I messed up my problem (question).
What I would like to know is actually what are standard mat size that will fit standard frame sizes. If I make 10x15.4 inches matt and send it to customer can they go and buy standard frame for it (not custom made frame). If all they can get close to that mat size is 11x14 they cannot fit the mat into the frame.
I believe there is out there standard that frame makers use to make frames (standard frame size not custom made size). Also there is standard that mat makers use to cut mat that will fit such frames. Mat size is usually around 1/8-1/4 smaller (or like that) than frame (I think about the hole in frame where mat comes into).

So what are standard outside dimensions (exact but not nominal) of mat (regardless photograph size) that can fit that standard frames. The biggest mat size I have intention to make is around 32x40 inches, and the smallest one is around 8x10 inches.

Thanks

 

[ann]

daniel.
again, go on line and check walmat for picture frame sizes. that will be the best way.

the most common commerically made frames are going to be 8x10, 11x14m 16x20 20x24

however, depending on where they purchase the frame and the ply thickness of your backboard and window it may not fit in the frame.

for instance, one can get frames at Michaels (an art supply store), but some won't allow one to use a "sandwich" of a 8py window on a 4ply back.

It is thoughtful of you to try to assest your customer from having a custom frame cut, it is my experience that people who collect photography are prepared to have a frame cut to match the photo they have purchased.

 

[Daniel_OB]

Ann, thanks a lot. It all means there are no standard for frame making. It gives me freedom to make the mat size, and also nice explanation to customers why they does not fit walmart frame. Just neather is standard, and store they get frame from tomorow can have similar fashion frame with different dimensions.

Thanks a lot again.

 

[Vaughn]

Hello Daniel,

Here are some common sizes from a Light Impressions catalog

8x10, 11x14, 12x16, 14x18 (and sometimes 14x17), 16x20, 20x24, 22x28.

I think the easiest thing for your customers would be to at least keep the dimensions to whole inches. That would make it easier for folks buying sectional metal frames to frame it themselves off the store display case. Fractions don't really matter if one is getting custom cut frames -- one just usually pays for the next full inch.

I like my 5x7's in 12x16 frames. A 11x14 carbon print I recently framed at 20x24 -- 16x20 seemed too small. 16x20's can go on 22x28 , but the hortizontals look wierd, so I do both orientations on 24x28. (having done too much of it, 20x24 is too small for a 16x20 print). I would mat a 20x24 on about a 28x32 board...never printed hat size, so I am not sure how it would look. But I do like to have about 4" all around for big prints.

Vaughn

 

[photographs42]

......I believe there is out there standard that frame makers use to make frames (standard frame size not custom made size). Also there is standard that mat makers use to cut mat that will fit such frames. Mat size is usually around 1/8-1/4 smaller (or like that) than frame .........Thanks

Daniel,

First, the frame allowance is, or should be, a part of the frame, not the mat. That usually doesn’t apply to small off the shelf frames like 4x6, 5x7, 8x10 etc. that are intended to hold an unmated photograph. Anything larger usually has a 1/8” allowance. Looking at your web site, your work covers a broad range of subject matter. If you are selling small people images up to about 8x10, I think you should mat them to fit standard size frames. If your work is being sold as “Art”, I don’t think it’s important to use standard sizes.

I have been selling my work for over 25 years and, while I occasionally (about once a year) get a customer who asks if my 8x10 images (matted to 16x18) will fit a “standard” frame, I have never as far as I remember had anyone ask that about anything larger.

My personal belief is that, as the artist, you should decide how the image should be matted. If that results in an odd size, so what? If the purchaser wants it different, they can change it, or for a price, you can custom cut it for them.

For the record, most aluminum frames can be purchased by buying two pair of sides in 1” increments, so any size that is even inches will work. Again, the frame allowance is in the frame so if you buy a frame size of 17”x 23” the mat should be 17”x 23”, the glass 17”x 23” and the frame will be enough larger that it will fit.

Oh, yes. One other thing to consider is economy. Mat board usually comes in either 32”x 40” or 40”x 60”. There are other sizes but those are the most common. You should at least consider how much scrap you produce from each full piece. If you can adjust your “standard” size by a small fraction and end up with less waste, it can make a big difference in mat cost. My problem is that I don’t do small images and I have accumulated a HUGE pile of mat board that is too small for my use. Generally anything that is less than 16” x 16” is of no use to me and I have probably a thousand or so of those pieces that I foolishly think I’ll use some day.

Jerome