People often suffer from sticker shock after buying an unframed poster or canvas print, only to discover that custom picture framing can cost hundreds of dollars. Artists and photographers also may not consider the cost of framing custom size artwork, until it is too late. Learning about common standard frame and poster sizes can make finding inexpensive frames an easier task.
Common Standard Frame Sizes
Ready made frames in standard sizes are available from many sources: frame shops, craft stores, discount stores, and Internet retailers. Some standard frame sizes are easier to find than others, however. Following are dimensions, in inches, of the most widely available ready-made frames, all of which are also common print, canvas and poster sizes:
- 5 x 7
- 8 x 10
- 11 x 14
- 16 x 20
- 18 x 24
- 20 x 24
- 24 x 30
- 24 x 36
Square frames can be difficult to find, but 5 x 5, 8 x 8 and 12 x 12 frames are the most common sizes. Frame kits are one way to get a square or other nonstandard frame without buying custom frame moulding. But square frames and frame kits typically come in only a few styles. There are certainly more frame styles to choose from when framing art that will fit the more common frame sizes.
Ready-Made Frames for Art
Heavy ornate frames in gold, silver and other decorative finishes are available in the most common standard sizes. These styles are appropriate for art that require a more formal look, and are often used to frame oil paintings, wedding and bridal portraits, limited edition art prints, and beveled mirrors.. 30 x 40 and 36 x 48 are the largest ornate ready made frame sizes. Less formal ready made frames are not typically made in such large sizes.
Common Frame Sizes and Posters
Some poster frames are thin and flimsy, and come with a thin plexi instead of real glass. These cheap frames are fine for posters to decorate a child's or teenager's room, But for poster art such as vintage advertisements and movie posters, finding a nice-looking, quality standard frame can be difficult. It is particularly hard to find quality standard size frames for certain poster sizes:
- 11 x 17
- 20 x 28
- 24 x 32
- 27 x 40
- 27 x 41
Matting can often be used be used to make a poster or art print work in a ready made frame. But most of the poster sizes above are not proportional, or are too large, for standard sizes and will look out of place in a ready made frame. Frames in these sizes can be found on the Internet, but nice frames in these sizes can be difficult to find in framing and discount stores where poster frames are sold. Posters in these sizes are often custom framed.
Frames for Art
Artist's papers and canvases are available in a variety of sizes, many of which are proportional to standard size frames. Unframed art prints, posters and canvas prints are also available in a range of sizes. Keeping the common standard frame dimensions in mind when deciding what size poster or sketch paper to buy can make finding cheap frames much easier.
More About Framing Pictures
Learning about ready-made frame sizes and picture framing can be valuable for artists and for anyone who wants to decorate with framed art on a budge.The following articles contain more information about picture frames.
Alison Fletcher - Alison Fletcher is a freelance writer, editor and proofreader. She has nearly a decade of experience in the craft and picture framing ...
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