Guide to Border Options & Print Sizes

Choosing the right print size and border options for reproductions of your artwork or photography is more important than you think because what you choose for these options will enhance or detract from the final appeal of your printed art.

Here at The Stackhouse Printery, we offer a variety of sizes and border options to cater to your specific needs.

Here are our tips for making the best selection for your project.

Understanding Border Options

At The Stackhouse Printery, we offer several border options, mainly for our Giclee Prints, Photo Prints, and Loose Canvas Prints. These can include borderless, 1/4-inch border, 1-inch border, and a generous 2-inch border.

All borders are in addition to the print size.

• Borderless: Ideal for full-bleed images or if you’re planning to frame the print. The artwork extends all the way to the edges.
  
  
• 1/4-Inch Border: This slight border gives your artwork a clean, finished look, especially when left unframed.
  
  
• 1-Inch Border: A more noticeable border that adds extra white space around your artwork, creating a mat effect and allowing for easier handling or framing.
  
  
• 2-Inch Border: This broad border provides an aesthetic boost, particularly for larger prints, and gives you ample space for stretching or framing.

Remember, the right size and border for your print will depend on your artwork, its intended location, and your personal preference. The Stackhouse Printery team is always here to help if you need advice or assistance in making your selection.

Choosing the Right Print Size

• Consider the Artwork’s Scale: The size of your print should align with the dimensions of your original artwork. For larger pieces, a larger print size will more effectively capture all the details, while smaller artwork can be best reserved to a smaller print size.
  
  
• Context Matters: Think about where the print will be displayed. A larger print might work best on an empty living room wall, while a smaller print might be more suitable for a desk or bedside table. Also, consider the decor and room size to ensure your print complements its surroundings.
  
  
• How You Want to Use It: The ideal print size for your fine art or photo printing project depends on how you plan to use your piece. If you want to print family photos for sentimental reasons or as a gift, it's best to print them in a smaller size. However, a larger size may be more suitable if you plan to display your photos in a gallery. Also, if you're selling and shipping your art worldwide, printing in smaller sizes helps you avoid additional crating expenses.
  
  
• The Pixel Dimensions of Your File: When selecting a size for printing, it's essential to consider pixel dimensions and quality of your digital file. If you plan to print a photo with small pixel dimensions, choose a smaller size to maintain image precision. Enlarging a small digital file to accommodate larger prints will result in poor image quality, with blurriness or pixelation often occurring.
  
  
• Determine Available Size Choices: The largest size that we can print is based on the pixel dimensions of your digital file after it has been cropped. To determine the available printable size options based on your file size, divide the pixel dimensions of your image by 150. For example, an image with pixel dimensions of 3600 x 2400 gives you a maximum print size of 24x16.
  
  
• Sample Different Sizes: If you’re unsure about the size you need, consider printing small samples of your work at different sizes to see which one works best. This is an inexpensive way to make a more informed decision.

This table outlines the standard sizes for the listed aspect ratios. Any of these sizes can be printed without cropping.

We also provide custom sizing for all media and encourage you to contact us for a free quote!

Print Sizes by Aspect Ratio