Anyhow know the "standard" print sizes? (8x10 etc)

[dphoto]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to figure out the "standard" dimensions for varying print sizes, and I'm having some trouble. A "standard" 8x10, for instance, is usually an 8x10 inch piece of paper with a 7.5x9.5 inch image (.25 inch border). The 4x6 and 3.5x5 inch sizes are usually that size (with no border). How about a 5x7? What is the "standard" for that? Also, do 11x14 prints typically have borders like the 8x10? What about the traditional "wallet" size image? Finally, are there any "standard" sizes that I have missed here?

Thanks a lot for any pointers. I thought this information would be easier to find, but ugh... maybe I'm just having one of those days? :)

-Deva

[PhotosGuy]

If you have a full-frame image, why crop it to some arbitrary 'standard'? The only 'standard' is what works for you.
If it needs cropping, crop it so it looks right. If you are going to frame it in a standard frame, then matt it up to the next larger size.

[chris.bailey]

The Standard 35mm film paper sizes I have used from Black and White film days are 11 x14, 10 x 8, 7 x 5 as they were standard sheets of paper for darkroom work (how I miss that red light :lol: ). I'm sure there were others but they were the common ones. Of these 10 x 8 was a stock paper for most amateurs. 6x4 I believe came from the days of the phot lab and is not a true standard size. I have never seen anything that said there was a standard border size but if I have someone who wants a 10x8 print, they get a 10x8 print unless they specify otherwise.

In digital I tend to keep hold of the raw image and its converted TIFF as though they were negs with the TIFF being a colour corrected and touched up version of the RAW but with little sharpening applied.

For my own print albums I tend to go 8x8 or 10x10 for portraits as I like the square aspect ratio and I sharpen just before printing as appropriate.

For most other subject matter I tend to print out on 7 x 5, for which i would sharpen more that the 8x8 or 10x10 (smaller printes taking more sharpening). I have found a decent album system for 7x5 prints so that has become my standard. You also get two 7x5's on a sheet of A4.

For everything else I crop to suit the image and ignore the size of the resulting print.

[pradeep1]

Remember that the digitical camera's aspect ratio is not usually the same as the photopaper, so you will usually have to do some cropping, or shrinking and trimming away the white border.

[dphoto]

Hey guys,

Thanks a lot for the info.

PhotosGuy, I will take what you have said into consideration when framing my work. I didn't even consider that the matting will allow me to use any size print I want. Way cool! :) However, when I give prints to others, I'm not framing them, and most people just want to put it in a "standard" frame.

Chris, thanks for the sizing info. I'm new to photography (digital only) so I didn't realize the history behind those sizes.

Pradeep1, yeah I'm aware of the cropping... I crop just about every shot anyhow just to get the composition I want. :) Which I will now be matting to get into the fram I want. :)

Thanks again guys!
-Deva

[PhotosGuy]

However, when I give prints to others, I'm not framing them, and most people just want to put it in a "standard" frame.

OK, but who said that you have to print 4X6" on 4X6" paper? (Or, full frame on any other size?)
For example, "Arty types" have been printing 6X8" (or any other size) on 8X10" paper leaving a white "matt" border for decades.
Another example would be that I put a black layer under a non standard cropped image when I print on "Standard" paper sizes. Instant matt! And, you can still remain true to your crop.

[stopbath]

Some printers will allow you to bleed the image right up to the edge of the paper. (Previously the border was needed to control the paper in the printer or on the elarger easle.)

Some folks may prefer a borderless image. Some may prefer a 1/4 border...

[dphoto]

PhotosGuy,

Wow, printing a 6x8 on an 8x10... that is pretty "artsy", isn't it? I'm going to have to give it a try. :D I like your black background idea, too. BTW, does that use a ton of black ink to create a black border like that? This does seem like the better way to go. Why lose my perfect crop because of the size of the paper? Something to consider, at least. It's a lot harder when I don't know how it's going to be framed.

Stopbath, I can make borderless prints with the printer... or with my cutter as well. :) You are right, everyone prefers something different it seems. Like "matte" or "glossy", for instance. The number of combinations gets to be a little much.

Thanks again for the comments!
-Deva

[PhotosGuy]

I like your black background idea, too. BTW, does that use a ton of black ink to create a black border like that?

Well, there's not that much of it. I only do that on 4X6"s that I'm going to give away. I seldom matt & frame larger prints - just bleed them & mount them on art board.

As you said, "The number of combinations gets to be a little much."
Do what looks good to you & have fun!

[dphoto]

Thanks! I am definitely having a *lot* of fun! :)

-Deva