THE PRACTICAL PRINT GUIDE
Canvas print, poster and picture frame size guide
A print size tells you how much space the picture takes up, but a mount, frame or canvas edge can change what you see on the wall. This guide brings the measurements together so you can compare A sizes, choose a scale that suits your room and order a print that fits.
Compare sizes in millimetres, centimetres and inches, see room examples, and understand the difference between the paper, the visible picture and the complete framed display.
Canvas
The outside width and height of the stretched canvas.
Poster
The full sheet of printed paper.
Mount opening
The window through which you see the picture.
Outer frame
The complete framed display’s outside dimensions.
01 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Standard canvas and poster sizes in mm, cm and inches
A5 to A1 are our popular A-size shortcuts. Use the table to compare their dimensions, then use the scaled graphic to see how much larger each step looks. A0 is included as a reference for people researching larger formats; check the creator for the size and options available when ordering.
| Size | Portrait size in mm | Portrait size in cm | Approximate size in inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 148 × 210 | 14.8 × 21 | 5.83 × 8.27 |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | 21 × 29.7 | 8.27 × 11.69 |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 29.7 × 42 | 11.69 × 16.54 |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | 42 × 59.4 | 16.54 × 23.39 |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | 59.4 × 84.1 | 23.39 × 33.11 |
| A0 — reference | 841 × 1189 | 84.1 × 118.9 | 33.11 × 46.81 |
The millimetre and centimetre measurements are the nominal A-series sizes. Inch conversions are rounded for comparison, so use the exact required measurements when fitting a frame.
The comparison graphic uses the same scale for every rectangle. It compares sizes with one another; it is not a life-size ruler on your screen. Mounts and external frames increase the overall display size.
02 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Portrait, landscape and the difference between A sizes
Width comes first, then height. A portrait A3 print is 29.7 cm wide and 42 cm high. Turn the same format to landscape and it becomes 42 cm wide and 29.7 cm high.
The A series keeps a similar rectangular shape as the size increases. Each step is approximately double the area of the one before it: A3 is roughly twice the area of A4, and A2 is roughly twice the area of A3. Neither edge doubles in length.
An A4 can suit a modest wall space or a small framed display. A3 gives a photograph more presence while remaining manageable. A2 and A1 occupy substantially more wall space. The right choice depends on your available wall, the furniture beneath it, the arrangement and the detail in your image.
03 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Common photo sizes are different from A sizes
Familiar photo formats are often described in inches. They do not automatically match an A-size print, even when the numbers seem close.
| Format in inches | Dimensions in cm | Dimensions in mm |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 4 | 15.24 × 10.16 | 152.4 × 101.6 |
| 7 × 5 | 17.78 × 12.7 | 177.8 × 127 |
| 8 × 10 | 20.32 × 25.4 | 203.2 × 254 |
| 12 × 16 | 30.48 × 40.64 | 304.8 × 406.4 |
| 16 × 20 | 40.64 × 50.8 | 406.4 × 508 |
These are reference formats, rather than a list of standard products. In particular, 6 × 4 and 7 × 5 inches are below our current custom-poster minimum. The creator separately offers selected smaller named sizes; use its exact presets rather than assuming a similar inch format is supported.
An 8 × 10 and a 10 × 8 are the same format in different orientations. A4 measures 21 × 29.7 cm, so it is a different shape and size from 8 × 10 inches. A3 measures 29.7 × 42 cm, so it is also different from 12 × 16 inches. Check both dimensions before ordering a print for a frame.
To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54. To convert centimetres to inches, divide by 2.54. For millimetres to centimetres, divide by ten.
04 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
What size canvas or poster suits your room?
Start with the space where the complete display will hang. Measure the available width and height, including nearby lamps, shelves, switches and furniture. For a framed poster, use the frame's outside dimensions when planning the wall space.
Cut a paper template to the proposed dimensions, or mark the outline using a suitable removable method. View it from where you normally sit or stand. This helps you judge the size before you commit, especially when a picture that looks large on its own will hang above a wide sofa or bed.
See the living-room example above, then compare the bedroom arrangement below.
Above a sofa
Look at the relationship between the artwork and the sofa, rather than choosing from the product name alone. A single landscape print gives one photograph a clear focal point. A pair or trio can cover more width while allowing each image to remain smaller. Test the whole arrangement, including gaps and any external frames.
Above a bed
Measure the headboard and the clear wall around it. Consider the height of the artwork as well as its width, and leave a comfortable space between the furniture and the display. A calm landscape image can work as one central piece; a coordinated set offers another way to use the space.
Above a desk or on a small wall
A smaller portrait canvas can give a quiet corner a focal point without filling the wall. A4 may be enough for a compact desk area, while A3 will make the image more prominent. Check nearby shelves and objects, and leave the artwork clear of the things you use every day.
05 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Does the canvas size mean the outside measurements?
Yes. The size you choose is the finished outside width and height of the stretched canvas, before any optional external floating frame. An A3 portrait canvas occupies approximately 29.7 × 42 cm across its front.
Canvas is stretched around an internal wooden frame, so it has depth as well as width and height. The wrapped sides belong to that construction; you do not add the side depth to the chosen front width when planning the canvas's space on your wall.
The side treatment affects how your photograph appears around the edges. Depending on the available options, the picture may continue around the sides, use a mirrored edge, or have white or coloured sides. Review the crop and edge preview so important faces and details remain where you want them.
06 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Slim or Chunky canvas: how deep is each one?
Slim and Chunky describe the stretcher-frame depth, rather than different front sizes. Choosing a deeper canvas changes how far it projects from the wall; it does not change the width and height you selected.
| Option | Nominal frame depth | Approximate metric depth |
|---|---|---|
| Slim | 0.75 inches | 19 mm / 1.9 cm |
| Chunky | 1.75 inches | 44 mm / 4.4 cm |
These are nominal frame depths. The creator shows which depths and finishing options are available for your chosen size.
A Slim canvas has a shallower profile. A Chunky canvas gives the side more presence when seen at an angle. Consider the surrounding room, how close you will pass the artwork and the finish you prefer.
An optional floating frame surrounds the stretched canvas and increases the complete display's outside dimensions. If you are fitting a narrow space or arranging several framed canvases, check the complete frame measurements rather than calculating from the canvas size alone.
07 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Print size, mount opening and outer frame size
A framed poster can have several different measurements. Understanding which one you are looking at helps prevent ordering a print that is too small, too large or cropped by the mount.
Print size
This is the full paper size, including any paper that sits behind a mount. An A3 portrait sheet is 29.7 × 42 cm.
Mount opening
This is the window through the card mount. The print normally needs to extend behind the opening so its edges are concealed and the picture can be secured. The visible picture area can therefore be smaller than the full paper.
Mount outer size
This is the complete width and height of the mount board. It must fit the frame's insert space. It is different from the size of its window.
Outer frame size
This is the overall width and height of the finished frame. It includes the frame moulding and is the measurement to use when planning the display on the wall.
The illustrated A3 example
- Full paper: 29.7 × 42 cm.
- Mount opening: 28.7 × 41 cm.
- Print overlap behind the opening: 5 mm on each edge in this example.
- Mount outer size: 40 × 52 cm.
- Frame face: 2 cm around that mount area.
- Complete outer frame: 44 × 56 cm.
These measurements explain the relationship between the parts. They are illustrative, rather than specifications for a YI2C frame product. Mount openings, overlap allowances and frame profiles vary.
Our posters are supplied as unframed paper prints. The framed photograph shows an example of how you can display your poster in a frame of your choice.
08 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
How to measure a frame for a poster print
Measure the space that holds the paper when choosing your print size. Use the frame's outside dimensions when planning where it hangs.
For a frame without a mount:
- Where possible, remove and measure the existing paper insert flat.
- Otherwise, measure the relevant glass/backboard or internal recess where the paper sits.
- Record the width and height accurately, keeping any millimetres rather than rounding to a familiar A size.
- Check the frame's own stated insert measurements before ordering.
For a frame with a mount:
- Measure the opening through which the image will show.
- Establish the paper size needed behind that opening, allowing enough overlap for the actual mount.
- Check that the paper and mount fit the frame and that the picture's crop works within the visible window.
- If you already have a correctly fitting print, its full paper measurements are a useful starting point.
A frame labelled “A3” may describe the paper it holds rather than its outside dimensions. A mount can reduce the visible picture further. Check the retailer's description and the actual measurements instead of relying on the label alone.
For a measurement such as 325 mm, enter 32.5 cm. If you are uncertain about a mount opening or the print needed behind it, send us your measurements before ordering.
09 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
How much space do pairs and trios need?
Measure the complete arrangement. The total width is the sum of the outside widths of the pieces, plus the gaps between them. For framed pieces, use the frames' outside dimensions.
For three portrait A3 canvases, each 29.7 cm wide, with two 8 cm gaps:
29.7 + 29.7 + 29.7 + 8 + 8 = 105.1 cm total width.
The canvases are still individually A3. The 105.1 cm measurement describes the whole group, including the gaps. Its height is 42 cm when the canvases are aligned in one horizontal row.
Try the whole outline above your furniture before ordering. Keep the gaps consistent if you want a level, coordinated row, and check that the photographs work together at the chosen sizes.
10 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Will my photograph work at the size I choose?
The best print size depends on the original file, its sharpness and the crop. A large file in megabytes does not necessarily contain more useful detail, and changing a DPI label does not create detail that was missing from the photograph.
Use the highest-quality original you have. A screenshot or compressed messaging copy can lose information before you start. When changing from a wide photograph to a portrait print, consider how much of the image will be removed by the crop.
For a simple resolution estimate, divide the pixels along an edge by the proposed print dimension in inches. For example, 4000 pixels across a 20-inch print gives 200 pixels per inch before any crop. This is an estimate, rather than a guarantee of quality; subject detail, sharpness, surface and viewing distance also matter.
YI2C checks the file, crop and selected size before production. If you are unsure, ask for help choosing a suitable size and positioning the photograph.
11 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Can I order a custom canvas or poster size?
Yes. Standard A sizes are useful shortcuts, but a custom size can suit an existing frame, a square image, a panoramic photograph or an awkward wall space.
For a poster going into a frame, enter the required paper measurements. For a stretched canvas, enter the required outside front width and height. Review the crop, finishing options and price in the relevant creator.
Our current custom-poster limits are 5.8 × 8.25 inches minimum and 39 × 60 inches maximum, in either orientation. Both dimensions need to be within the supported limits. Selected smaller named poster sizes are offered separately in the creator. Check the creator for current availability, including canvas sizes and depth options.
If your existing frame needs a measurement that falls between standard formats, keep the measurement accurate rather than rounding it to the nearest A size.
12 / CHOOSING YOUR SIZE
Quick answers about canvas, poster and frame sizes
Is A3 bigger than A4?
Yes. A3 is 29.7 × 42 cm and A4 is 21 × 29.7 cm. A3 has approximately twice the area of A4.
Is A2 bigger than A3?
Yes. A2 is 42 × 59.4 cm, compared with A3 at 29.7 × 42 cm.
Is an A4 print the same size as 8 × 10 inches?
No. A4 is 21 × 29.7 cm. An 8 × 10-inch print is 20.32 × 25.4 cm, so both the size and proportions differ.
Is A3 the same as 12 × 16 inches?
No. A3 is 29.7 × 42 cm; 12 × 16 inches is 30.48 × 40.64 cm. Check your frame's required paper measurements.
Does a canvas need extra width for the wrapped sides?
The selected size already describes the stretched canvas's outside width and height. Check the crop and side preview when choosing how the image wraps.
Does Chunky canvas have a larger front than Slim canvas?
For the same selected width and height, the front dimensions stay the same. The nominal frame depth changes.
Should I order a poster using my frame's outside dimensions?
Use the required paper size inside the frame. Its outer dimensions include the moulding and are useful for planning the wall space.
Should the print be exactly the size of the mount opening?
The print generally needs to extend behind the opening. Establish the overlap and full paper size needed for your particular mount and frame.
Are YI2C posters supplied framed?
No. Our poster product is the printed paper sheet, ready for your own frame.
How can I check the size before ordering?
Make a paper template at the actual dimensions and test it in place. Include the outside size of any external frame and the gaps between multiple pieces.
Choose the size for your space, then check the photograph and final crop. If you already have a frame or need help with a mount opening, send us the measurements and we can help you work out the print you need.