Tech | Standard sizes for images, paper, and matting

Note: This article was originally posted to a different web site in 2008. I still find it useful, so here it is.

March 23, 2008

When processing images for printing and framing, it's helpful to bear in mind standard sizes. Ready-made matting and frames in standard sizes are cheaper and faster to use than custom mats and frames.
The reference chart below shows the standard paper, matt, and frame sizes you can use with typical image sizes.

• Ratio: The aspect ratio of the image. If you know your camera takes 2:3 images, for example, then you'll look for the rows labeled 2:3. If you cropped your image to some other ratio, look for those rows.
• Size: The actual size in inches of the image you want to print for display. Note that the opening in a standard size matt is usually less than the image size by about 1/2".
• Paper: The nearest standard size paper you can print on.
• Matt/frame: The standard matt and frame size to fit your print that you are likely to find in an art supply store. This refers to the outer edge of the matt, which aligns with the frame. If this column says ?, I haven't seen a standard matt for this print size, but there may be one.

The rows for 2:3 images are shaded in gray for easier reference.

Ratio	Size	Paper	Matt/frame
2:3	4x6	4x6	11x14
5:7	5x7	5x7	8x10 or 11x14
2:3	6x9	8x10 or 8.5x11	9x12
4:5	8x10	8x10 or 8.5x11	11x14 or 16x20
2:3	8x12	11x14	16x20
3:4	9x12	11x14	12x16
5:7	10x14	11x14	?
2:3	10x15	11x17	?
11:14	11x14	11x14	16x20
4:5	12x15	13x19	?
3:4	12x16	13x19	16x20
2:3	12x18	13x19	?
13:19	13x19	13x19	18x24

Example: If your camera takes 2:3 images then you know you can print a 4x6, 6x9, or 8x12 image without cropping, on standard paper with a standard matt and frame. If you print 6x9, you can use either 8x10 or 8.5x11 paper. You should be able to find a 9x12 matt and frame to hold the image.

As an additional reference, here is an overview of the ratios from least to most square:

	Aspect ratio	Decimal ratio	Standard sizes
Least square	2:3	0.66	4x6, 6x9, 8x12
	13:19	0.68	13x19
	5:7	0.71	5x7
	3:4	0.75	9x12, 12x16
	11:14	0.79	11x14
Most square	4:5	0.80	8x10