DaydreamJay
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 496
- Name
- Jason
- Edit My Images
- Yes
It seems that there is sometimes a bit of confusion over frame sizes and print sizes. I have tried to help novices by making a basic list that shows the standard sizes for frames, the accompanying mount, and what print sizes they can take. Sometimes photos look better with a wider mount than what I have stated here. Almost without exception photos should be mounted before framed as the mount holds the print off the glass. Spray mounting or dry mounting the photo to a backing board is also advisable, especially with most prints of 10 x 8 and above, otherwise they settle unevenly in the 2mm cavity created by the mount.
Another important thing to bear in mind is the ratio of standard size frames length to width varies throughout the standard sizes, and when you stick a mount in there it will vary again. For instance a 12 x 8 frame may seem ideal for my camera as my images are 3:2 ratio off the camera, but if I were to stick a narrow mount in there that is 1.5" wide all the way around then you get an aperture of 9 x 5 which is no longer a 3:2 ratio.
If anyone has a requirement for frames or mounts please feel free to contact me for advice or a price. Or for any framing advice in general.
Frame size (inches)
5 x 3.5
6 x 4
5 x 5
7 x 5
8 x 6 suitable for 6 x 4 prints when used with 1.125" mount
9 x 7 suitable for 7 x 5 prints when used with 1.125" mount
10 x 8 suitable for 8 x 6 prints when used with 1.25" mount, or 7 x 5 prints with 1.625" mount, or 6 x 4 prints with 2.125" mount etc.
A4 (11.75 x 8.25)
12 x 8
12 x 10 suitable for 10 x 8 prints when used with 1.25" mount, or 8 x 6 prints when used with 2.125" mount, etc.
14 x 11 commonly used for A4 prints but there is greater cropping on the long side, alternatively an uneven mount can be used that is 1.25" width along the short side and 1.5" width along the long edges.
16 x 12 common for 12 x 8 prints when used with a 2.125" mount
A3 (16.5 x 11.75)
20 x 16 very common frame size (some suppliers have replaced this with 500mm x 400mm) I sell a lot of my photos in this size frame but unfortunately it is a 'squarer' ratio than my photos so cropping is inevitable, I am aware of this when I am shooting my pics though. If you have a printer such as an R2880 you will no doubt be using 13" roll paper or Super B (A3+) the print size you will require is 12.72" (maximum available without doing borderless) x 16.72", you will then use a 1.75" width mount in the frame. It is ESSENTIAL that your prints are spray mounted, dry mounted or heat pressed onto a backing board at this size as they will look badly uneven if the light source hits them at an angle i.e. from a window.
I use a computerised mount cutter but also have a Keencut Ultimat Gold as back up, cutting mounts isn't that difficult to do it yourself but mistakes made can mean your cost price spirals above what you would pay someone to supply them for you.
Any questions, please ask.
Another important thing to bear in mind is the ratio of standard size frames length to width varies throughout the standard sizes, and when you stick a mount in there it will vary again. For instance a 12 x 8 frame may seem ideal for my camera as my images are 3:2 ratio off the camera, but if I were to stick a narrow mount in there that is 1.5" wide all the way around then you get an aperture of 9 x 5 which is no longer a 3:2 ratio.
If anyone has a requirement for frames or mounts please feel free to contact me for advice or a price. Or for any framing advice in general.
Frame size (inches)
5 x 3.5
6 x 4
5 x 5
7 x 5
8 x 6 suitable for 6 x 4 prints when used with 1.125" mount
9 x 7 suitable for 7 x 5 prints when used with 1.125" mount
10 x 8 suitable for 8 x 6 prints when used with 1.25" mount, or 7 x 5 prints with 1.625" mount, or 6 x 4 prints with 2.125" mount etc.
A4 (11.75 x 8.25)
12 x 8
12 x 10 suitable for 10 x 8 prints when used with 1.25" mount, or 8 x 6 prints when used with 2.125" mount, etc.
14 x 11 commonly used for A4 prints but there is greater cropping on the long side, alternatively an uneven mount can be used that is 1.25" width along the short side and 1.5" width along the long edges.
16 x 12 common for 12 x 8 prints when used with a 2.125" mount
A3 (16.5 x 11.75)
20 x 16 very common frame size (some suppliers have replaced this with 500mm x 400mm) I sell a lot of my photos in this size frame but unfortunately it is a 'squarer' ratio than my photos so cropping is inevitable, I am aware of this when I am shooting my pics though. If you have a printer such as an R2880 you will no doubt be using 13" roll paper or Super B (A3+) the print size you will require is 12.72" (maximum available without doing borderless) x 16.72", you will then use a 1.75" width mount in the frame. It is ESSENTIAL that your prints are spray mounted, dry mounted or heat pressed onto a backing board at this size as they will look badly uneven if the light source hits them at an angle i.e. from a window.
I use a computerised mount cutter but also have a Keencut Ultimat Gold as back up, cutting mounts isn't that difficult to do it yourself but mistakes made can mean your cost price spirals above what you would pay someone to supply them for you.
Any questions, please ask.
