When you choose a print for your wall, the size you see on the screen is never the whole story. A print described as 24 by 36 inches refers to the print itself; mounting or framing can make the finished piece larger. Understanding how sizes are named, measured and used will help you avoid surprises when the parcel arrives.
Inches and centimetres: which unit is standard?
Poster and art-print sizes are most often quoted in inches, especially for frames sold in the United Kingdom and North America. A 16-by-20-inch print, for example, is 40.6 by 50.8 centimetres. Many European manufacturers use centimetres, while many poster formats are named in inches. Metric paper sizes such as A1, A2 and A3 belong to a different size family. A2 measures 42.0 by 59.4 centimetres, or roughly 16.5 by 23.4 inches. When you see a frame described as fitting an A2 print, the frame’s internal rebate will be slightly larger than those dimensions to allow for the paper.
Width by height: the naming convention
Print sizes are always given as width by height. A 24-by-36-inch poster is 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall. This convention holds whether the image is portrait (taller than wide) or landscape (wider than tall). A 36-by-24-inch print would be landscape orientation. The same logic applies to metric sizes: 59.4 by 42.0 centimetres is landscape, and 42.0 by 59.4 centimetres is portrait. Always check which dimension comes first to avoid ordering a frame that is the wrong shape.
Orientation: portrait, landscape and square
Orientation is determined by the longer side. A print that is taller than it is wide is portrait; one that is wider than it is tall is landscape. Square prints have equal width and height. Many standard sizes exist in both portrait and landscape versions. For example, 18 by 24 inches is portrait, and 24 by 18 inches is landscape. Frames are typically sold as either portrait or landscape, so you must match the orientation of the frame to the orientation of the print.
Common aspect-ratio families
Most standard print sizes belong to a small number of aspect-ratio families. The aspect ratio is the width divided by the height, expressed as a ratio such as 4:5 or 2:3. Knowing the ratio helps you predict how a given image will fit a particular print size without cropping or distortion.
| Ratio | Common sizes (inches) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 (square) | 8×8, 12×12, 20×20 | Instagram prints, square frames |
| 4:5 | 8×10, 16×20, 24×30 | Standard photo prints, many art prints |
| 2:3 | 4×6, 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30, 24×36 | Classic poster sizes, many digital camera sensors |
| 5:7 | 5×7, 10×14, 20×28 | Greeting cards, smaller art prints |
| 1.414:1 (ISO A) | A5, A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 | Documents, posters, fine art editions |
If your original image has a different ratio from the print size you choose, the printer must either crop the image to match the new ratio or add white space (letterboxing). Most online services, including Wallpapers.art, lock the crop to the selected print ratio. You can adjust the crop within that locked ratio, but you cannot change the ratio itself. The product preview on Wallpapers.art shows both the original uncropped composition and the print crop, so you can see exactly what will be cut.
Nominal print size vs outer framed size
The size printed on the box – 16 by 20 inches, for example – is the nominal print size. This is the dimension of the paper or canvas before framing. When you add a frame, the outer dimensions become larger. A typical frame adds 2 to 4 inches to each side, depending on the width of the moulding. A 16-by-20-inch print in a 2-inch-wide frame will have an outer size of 20 by 24 inches. Always measure the wall space you have and then work backwards: decide the maximum outer frame size you can accommodate, subtract the frame width, and choose a print size that fits within that remaining area.
Furthermore, the nominal print size is not the same as the visible image area. Most frames overlap the edge of the print by a quarter to half an inch to hold it in place. This overlap is called the rebate. If your image has important detail near the very edge, that detail may be hidden behind the rebate. When you order a framed print from Wallpapers.art, the print crop preview accounts for this rebate, so what you see in the preview is the visible area after framing.
How to measure for a frame
To measure for a frame, follow these steps:
- Measure the width and height of the wall area where you want to hang the piece. Allow a few inches of clearance from furniture, light switches and adjacent frames.
- Decide the maximum outer frame size that fits that area. Subtract twice the frame moulding width (the width of the frame’s visible edge) to get the maximum nominal print size.
- Choose a print size that is equal to or smaller than that maximum nominal size. If you choose a smaller print, you can add a mat (mount board) to fill the extra space.
- When you receive the print, measure it before framing. If you are using a ready-made frame, check that the print fits within the rebate. If you are having the print custom framed, provide the exact print dimensions to the framer.
Preserving your print
Once your print is framed, its longevity depends on the environment. The Library of Congress recommends handling prints with clean, dry hands and avoiding contact with the image area. Direct sunlight and strong artificial light can fade inks and discolour paper. The Smithsonian Institution notes that fluctuating humidity can damage paper-based objects. Hang prints away from radiators, air-conditioning vents and exterior walls where condensation may form. A stable environment with moderate, consistent humidity and minimal direct light will help your print remain as it was when you first received it.
Hanging height
A common gallery starting point places the visual centre of a work – not the top edge – at 57 to 60 inches (145 to 152 centimetres) from the floor. This is a guideline, not a rule. If you plan to view the print while seated, or if the room has low furniture, you may want to hang it lower. Conversely, a high ceiling or tall furniture may justify a higher placement. Measure from the floor to the centre of the print, then adjust the hanging hardware accordingly.
Choosing a print size is a matter of matching the image to the space, the frame to the print, and the hanging height to the room. By understanding how sizes are named and measured, you can make confident decisions that result in a well-proportioned, properly framed piece that will give you pleasure for years.