Question From Buyer About Sizes

I believe, if you are planning to frame with mat, you don't need to cut anything - it will be under the mat. If you want to frame without mat, you would probably cut the part that has no image on it. You can also order it already framed from this website, then you would receive it ready to hang :)

I assume we are talking about a paper print here. Paper prints are usually framed with a mat, that's why the extra material. To frame without a mat will require trimming the paper to remove the extra border.

Thanks all... I think they are trying to order just a print that is exactly 16x20 as a finished product - no frame, no mat. I'm opted in to the standard size thing - I think that is what they are referring to as 'Horizontal'...The other dimension info they mention from the FAA site, though, contradicts their desire for the standard 16x20 print size...does that make sense?

It's only a problem with paper prints. If he doesn't want to trim it then he'd be better off buying a museum wrap canvas print, though it will be more expensive.

Edit: Another option would be to order it as an 11X14 paper print and then buy a standard 16X20 mat.

Ok, thanks David - so to be clear before I tell them no on what they are asking (and offer your option), the buyer cannot order a print (paper) that is a standard 16x20 as a finished product?

"that is a standard 16x20 as a finished product?"

Not unless you can give him an image that would print 14 X 18, but then it would have a 1" white border all the way around.

Got it. Thanks David. I'll let the buyer know.

I just looked in the upload settings and we have a checkbox below (mine is checked):

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Allow Print Cropping:

If this option is checked, buyers will be able to crop your images to standard print sizes such as 8" x 10", 11" x 14", etc. This makes it easier for buyers to use your prints in standard size frames and to purchase multiple prints from you at exactly the same size.
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Does this simply mean if the buyer orders an 8x10 standard sized print, they get an image that is 8x10 but with a 1" white border, making the total dimensions 10x12 (as the FAA site states during checkout)? How does that make it "easier for buyers to use your prints in standard size frames..."? ...still seems confusing

"Does this simply mean if the buyer orders an 8x10 standard sized print, they get an image that is 8x10 but with a 1" white border, making the total dimensions 10x12 (as the FAA site states during checkout)? How does that make it "easier for buyers to use your prints in standard size frames..."? "

It's only an issue with paper prints and I think that's because it's standard framing practice to frame paper with a mat, the print will still work in a standard frame with a standard mat, if you don't want a mat it's no big deal to trim paper.

Anything of paper - print, watercolor painting, or pastel - needs a mat or spacers to keep it off the glass. The image touching the glass will in most cases not be good for the image. A 16 X 20 ready made frame holds a 20 X 16 image including the mat which is usually 2 to 3 inches in all the way around. If you purchase a 16 X 20 print it will have the extra white border to compensate for and allow the image to be affixed to the mat so that it doesn't slide around; the frame for the 16 X 20 image would have to be larger by 4 or 6 inches, making it a 20 X 24. Depending on the width of mat - unless you go with using spacers - the image should only cover 12 X 16 of the paper unless the buyer would be happy/satisfied with covering part of the image. And remember frames are not measured from the outside of the frame but from the inside rabbit.

Framing is a huge problem for print makers, watercolor artists and those that use pastel - you must take into account the matting and the glass.

Custom framing has never been cheap. I once sold a half sheet (16 X 22) watercolor to a lady who asked if I'd take it out of the frame - sure - I even took $10 off the price (generous, I know - and I used the frame and mat again). Later she asked if I knew how much she had paid to have it reframed and told me it was over $100 - and that was several years back.

By the way, it just occurred to me that I can't find any information if there is glass included with frames sold at FAA. Is there? Sorry for the off topic.

" it just occurred to me that I can't find any information if there is glass included with frames sold at FAA"

Not glass, but acrylic. It tells you on the "finish" tab.

BTW, paper can be framed without a mat, in fact you can order that way from FAA. I don't know how FAA does it but I've always framed my pastel paintings using spacers rather than mats.

Thank you, David!

Thank you so much, David K, for helping this member!

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Community Manager

They can order a 16 x 20 image and trim the white margins off. That will give them a 16 x 20 image all the way to the edges and they can pop that in a frame and not need a mat.
The size ordered is the image size, not the paper size.

"Thank you so much, David K, for helping this member! "

No problem, occasionally I can actually be helpful rather than aggravating. ;)

" I've always framed my pastel paintings using spacers rather than mats."

Good on you David.

Lot of people are not aware of the spacer option. I used to cringe when I see people putting glazing over the top of an original piece with not mat or spacers. The will ruin it for sure.

Thanks all! All the info is much appreciated.

Can anyone take a look at this standard sized print sale and figure out how the buyer ended up with a finished print product that was exactly (total size) 30x20 from a native image that is offered as 30x20?

http://fineartamerica.com/saleannouncement.html?id=73a4c4cdc6a1c80ac0e560dd5b34f78f

These are the rest of the product details from my sales page:

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Spaceship Earth Sunset Profile Epcot Walt Disney World Prints Accented Edges

Image Size:
30.000" x 20.000"

Total Size:
30.000" x 20.000"

Print Material:
Archival Matte Paper

Finishing:
Rolled in a Tube
Announcement Page
Share your success with your friends and family!
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I can't figure out how this buyer got a finished print that has the image size the same as the total size.

I can only configure a total size of 22x32 (as the native image is available as 20x30) for an archival matte print rolled in a tube - which makes sense based on everything posted above about the 1" white strip and all...

Did the buyer actually receive the print that was 30x20 with image 30x20, or it's only printed in the announcement/invoice? Maybe it's bug in there (in text) and the actual print delivered had 1" white strip?