In case you're trying in order to figure out what size frame with mat for 11x14 prints or even photos you need, the most typical and aesthetically balanced choice is definitely almost always a 16x20 frame . This might sound like a large jump in size, but once you see that 11x14 image sitting in the 16x20 frame with a nice, clean mat, everything just clicks into location. It provides the art work enough breathing room to actually stand out rather than looking cramped against the glass.
Mounting something you enjoy shouldn't think that a math project, but there are a few little quirks about dimensions that will can trip you up if you aren't careful. Let's break down why certain sizes work better than others and how to make sure your 11x14 piece looks such as it was professionally managed without you getting to spend a fortune at a custom shop.
The Gold Standard: The 16x20 Frame
The 16x20 frame is the "industry standard" for an 11x14 photograph. If you enter a Target, Michaels, or any house goods store plus look for a pre-matted frame, you'll notice that most of them are set up specifically this way.
There's the good reason for this. When a person put an 11x14 print into a 16x20 frame, a person end up with a border that's roughly 2. 5 to 3 inches broad all the way about. This is the "sweet spot" for most wall art. It's thick plenty of to provide the visual buffer among the frame plus the image, which helps draw your eye toward the center. If the mat is simply too thin, it can look the bit cheap or even accidental. If it's too thick, the particular art might get lost—though "oversized" matting is really a pretty great trend right right now.
Why the Mat Opening Isn't Actually 11x14
Here is the something that grabs just about everyone off guard: a mat for an 11x14 picture isn't actually cut to 11x14 ins. If this were, the photograph would literally fall right through the particular hole.
Standard mats for 11x14 art are usually cut to 10. 5x13. 5 ins . This half-inch difference (a quarter-inch on each side) allows the mat to overlap the particular edges of your image. This overlap is usually what holds the particular print in place and hides the very edges associated with the paper, which might be slightly curled or even unfinished.
When you're shopping for a frame, just make certain the packaging says "matted to 11x14" rather than just checking the starting size with the ruler and getting confused. The does the math for you, but it's good to learn therefore you don't panic when the gap looks a small "small" initially.
Going for a Minimalist Look: The particular 14x18 Frame
Sometimes, a 16x20 frame just feels too big for the space a person have. Maybe you're putting together the gallery wall and things are obtaining a little crowded. In that case, you might want to look for the 14x18 frame .
With a 14x18 frame, your mat will only end up being about 1. 5 to 2 inches wide. This generates a lot more modern, sleek look. It's a great choice if the artwork itself is very busy or multi-colored and doesn't require a massive white boundary to command interest. It's also a lifesaver if you're trying to fit the piece on the thin strip of walls between a doorway and a window.
The "Gallery Style" Choice: 18x24 or 20x24
On the flip side, maybe you want that 11x14 print to end up being the absolute superstar of the area. If you would like it in order to look like it is supposed to be in a sophisticated museum in New york, you go large.
Placing an 11x14 print out within an 18x24 or actually a 20x24 frame creates a huge, dramatic border. This style will be incredibly popular for black-and-white photography or minimalist line images. The extra "white space" (or unfavorable space) forces the viewer to focus intensely on the little image in the center. It's a strong move, however it makes a standard 11x14 print feel a lot more expensive and intentional than it actually is.
What Color Mat Need to You Choose?
While you're deciding on the frame size, don't rest on the mat color. Most structures come with a typical white or "off-white" mat.
- Bright White: Great for modern art, vibrant colors, and crisp photography. This makes colors place.
- Cream or Ivory: Better for vintage photos, a lot sketches, or something on warmer-toned paper. A white mat can sometimes make an old image look yellow or "dirty" by comparison.
- Dark: This is a "moody" choice. A dark mat in the black frame can look incredibly sophisticated, especially for high-contrast photos. You need to be conscious that it can make the overall piece feel a bit heavier around the wall structure.
Common Errors When Framing 11x14 Prints
1 of the greatest mistakes people create is buying an 11x14 frame for an 11x14 print out and then realizing there's no room for a mat. If you buy an 11x14 frame, the photo may go edge-to-edge against the frame. While this works for some posters, this often looks incomplete for art work or family portraits. The glass can also stay to the image over time if there's no mat to create a tiny gap of air flow.
Another mistake? Forgetting about the frame's "lip. " Every frame has a small internal edge that holds the glass and mat in. In case you're custom-cutting the mat, you have to account for the truth that the particular very outer advantage of the mat will be hidden simply by the frame itself.
DIY compared to. Store-Bought
Truthfully, for an 11x14 size, you are able to generally get away with a store-bought frame. It's a regular size, so a person aren't forced into the expensive planet of custom framing unless you have got a very particular vision.
If you find a frame a person love but this doesn't come with a mat—or the mat is the weird color—you can actually just buy a pre-cut 16x20 mat with an 11x14 opening separately. Most build stores sell these types of for ten or fifteen bucks. A person just pop the new mat in to the frame, tape your own photo to the back of this (use acid-free tape so you don't ruin the artwork! ), and you're good to proceed.
Conclusions upon Proportions
At the end associated with the day, choosing what size frame with mat for 11x14 comes down to the particular "vibe" of your room. - Desire it to appear "standard" and professional? 16x20 . - Need it to save space? 14x18 . - Want this to appear like a masterpiece? 20x24 .
Don't overthink it too much. The particular mat is presently there to serve the particular art, not the particular other way close to. As long because you give that 11x14 print a few inches of space to inhale, it's going to look fantastic on your wall. Simply grab an amount, a hammer, and perhaps several of those adhesive strips if you're a renter, plus get that art out of the mailing tube plus to the light!