4x6 -> 8x10 (canvas size, not picture)

[BrandonSi]

I'm thinking of leaving some of my 300d shots in 4x6 ratio but blowing the canvas size up to 8x10 in CS, and adding a "fake" mat, so I could just print out the 8x10, throw it in a frame and have it look like it's already matted. I'm wondering how this would look though, is the space going to look ok with 4 inches added to one side and 6 to the other? would it maybe make sense to crop the picture to 5x7 and then have 3 inches on each side to make the 8x10? Anyone done this?

Anyone know how to work out the calculations of how much space (in inches) should be outside mat and inside mat, are there standard ratios?

[slin100]

I don't think a "fake" mat will look that good. You'll be better off purchasing a precut 8x10 mat with a 4x6 or 5x7 window. You can find these at art supplies or crafts stores. They're pretty reasonably priced.

A book on DIY picture framing or matting discusses this.

[BrandonSi]

I don't think a "fake" mat will look that good. You'll be better off purchasing a precut 8x10 mat with a 4x6 or 5x7 window. You can find these at art supplies or crafts stores. They're pretty reasonably priced.

A book on DIY picture framing or matting discusses this.

Yeah, by fake mat I meant sort of just a border. A lot of companies do it for posters and it comes out ok. Like for example

http://successories.com/dir_images/product_sku/732491.jpg

[BrandonSi]

For future searchers, I just re-sized (not re-sampled) the 300d pic to 4x6 (came out to like 512 ppi!), and then added 1.5" and 1" respecitvely changing the canvas size, then increased canvas size 20pixels all round for a little white line border, and then expanded the canvas again to finish off the 8x10 size.. I'm gonna take it to walgreens to night and print out a couple. I'll post the results.

[slin100]

Yeah, by fake mat I meant sort of just a border. A lot of companies do it for posters and it comes out ok. Like for example

http://successories.com/dir_images/product_sku/732491.jpg
I understand what you meant. I don't think you really want to equate photographic prints with posters. :)

I did actually try this once long ago, but instead of using a white border, I used a colored pattern. It looked terrible.

A real mat has the benefit, in addition to looking more professional, of keeping the print safely separated from the glass.