FRAMEPRINTS · PRINT GUIDE
How to Measure a Picture Frame Opening
A frame size and a paper size describe different edges. Measure the opening you can see, then leave enough paper behind the frame lip to hold the print.
Measure the visible opening
Lay the frame face down on a clean, flat surface. If it has a backing board, remove it carefully and keep the glazing away from the work area.
Measure the inside edge of the mat or frame from left to right, then top to bottom. Record both values to the nearest millimetre or 1/16 inch. Measure in more than one place if the frame or mat may be uneven.
Keep the frame lip in mind
The visible opening is usually smaller than the paper the frame accepts. The hidden strip under the frame lip holds the sheet in place. Do not assume its width: check the backing or test with a spare sheet, especially with an old or handmade frame.
For example, an opening that measures 7.5 × 9.5 inches may be paired with 8 × 10 inch paper, but that only works when the frame lip covers the extra half inch overall. Verify the actual frame before ordering a print.
Choose how the artwork should appear
A full-bleed image can run under the lip, so keep important details away from the paper edge. A white-margin print keeps the whole composition visible; the artwork itself will be smaller than the sheet.
For a matted frame, measure the mat opening rather than the outer frame. A mat can cover a different amount on each side, so center the artwork by sight after a test fit.
Write down four numbers
Record the paper width and height, the visible opening width and height, and whether the frame is portrait or landscape. Label the units. This prevents a paper dimension from being mistaken for the visible area.
Paper size tells the print shop what sheet to print. Opening size tells you what part of the image will remain visible.