What size print works best in a 24x36 frame?
Would a 17x25 print work? That would leave 3.5" mat for the width and 5.5" mat for the length.
My printer only prints 17" wide so I'm struggling on finding the perfect size frame and mat for a 17" wide photo. I do not want to lose any width What photo length would work with a 24x36 frame?
Any suggestions?
Replies
I have a 17" printer and a 24" printer. Rather than take the image all the way out to the edge, I print 16x24 on 17x25 paper size using roll paper. That leaves a half inch border around the print and adequate room for overmatting. That mattes out in a 24x30 with a border of 4 inches and 3 inches respectively which is what I use. If you wanted even borders, then you need a matte opening of 16x22 which is an odd print size.
A lot of people use 22x28 frames, which is going to get you a 16x22 opening also, so not much help there either, although that sizes out pretty nicely for 17x23 paper.
It would helpful to know what the aspect ratio is for the camera(s) you use. Most SLR's have a 2x3 ratio and the Four-Thirds systems have a 3x4 aspect ratio as do all the advanced compact cameras. I've got both, and I just stick with convenient sizes. My smallest work is on 11x14 paper with 8x12 images matted in 12x16, followed by 13x19 paper with 12x18 images matted to 18x24, and 17x25 paper with 16x24 images matted out to 24x30.
The 3:4 aspect ratio prints are 9x12, 12x16, and 16x21.3. Of course everything is tossed out if I decide to crop to an odd size which I frequently do. I still stick with the matte sizes mentioned earlier.
The 24x36 frames are problematic as that isn't proportional for the larger prints you want to do. An even bordered print would need to be something like 20x32, or keeping it consistent with a 2:3 aspect ratio, it would be a 20x30 print with a 2 and 3 inch border respectively. Now you know why gallery wrap canvas prints are so popular ;-)
I have a dozen 24x36 frames sitting out in the studio right now. My plan is to print full bleed prints (except for a 1/8 inch gap) at 24x36 and mount them on Foam-Cor with 3M double sided adhesive sheets, add an acrylic spacer behind the glass, and flush mount them in the frames with no matting. The front of the frame bezel will hide the border easy enough. The problem you have to realize is that the frames do not keep the same aspect ratio as the prints if they are to have a border.