Printing and framing

MeSess

Senior Member
Ok, so I already have the Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer and I would like to start experimenting with framing some of my photos. I only have the 13x19 paper that came with the printer but framing that size is a little expensive so I was wondering what is a better paper size to print on that will allow me to frame at a more cost effective price? I guess what I'm trying to ask is what is a more budget friendly paper and frame size to print at that isn't too small? Also, what particular type of paper do you recommend, I'm going to try to stick with Canon paper because of the color profiles?
 

RON_RIP

Senior Member
I have a Pixma Pro 9500 Mark II but I often print 8.5x11. But as I stated in a previous blog the photo itself determines the size it should be printed to. Some photos beg to be printed large, others are more effective in a smaller print. Visual impact is the only criterion for print size. If you are going to be serious about printing you have to use the best paper for the image, acid-free matting if a mat is called for and Conservation glass to protect the photo from uv light.
so I guess my short reply is that their is no real inexpensive options to printing photos that are meant to hang on someone's wall. I only print my very best photos because of the cost but spare no expense if I believe in the photo.
 

MeSess

Senior Member
I'm asking more what frame sizes are more common etc? The 13x19 isn't very common and you have to matte quite a lot to get to the common 12x24 or whatever it is. So because of that, I'm wondering what is a more common paper size to print with or that I can use more often. Sure, some photos look better enlarged and I have the paper for that but I'd like a general paper to experiment with. So you say you print with 8.5x11 often is that what you use to frame? What frame size would you use with that? I'm not planning on printing everything but it would be nice to learn how.
 

RON_RIP

Senior Member
I'm asking more what frame sizes are more common etc? The 13x19 isn't very common and you have to matte quite a lot to get to the common 12x24 or whatever it is. So because of that, I'm wondering what is a more common paper size to print with or that I can use more often. Sure, some photos look better enlarged and I have the paper for that but I'd like a general paper to experiment with. So you say you print with 8.5x11 often is that what you use to frame? What frame size would you use with that? I'm not planning on printing everything but it would be nice to learn how.
A common mat for 8.5x11 is 11x14 which is a common frame size. I use to buy my mats from Redimat in packages of 25. Don't discount printing some photos in 5x7 also. Canon often throws in free paper with orders of 4 or more inks at one time. Watch for these bargains on their website. I myself use Ilford Gold Fiber, but if you do decide to experiment with different papers look for trial packs which are often more inexpensive. I still use Canon paper profiles based on Ilford's reccommendation. Make sure you learn how to print in the smaller sizes before wasting the more expensive paper. Practice, practice, practice.
 

MeSess

Senior Member
I'll have to look into that size and see what I can find. What is the cutout size on the 11x14 mat? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I'm not familiar with pre-cut mat board since the only time I used it was in high school and we had to cut it ourselves. I know this is going to take a lot of practice so that's why I'm looking for all of the popular sizes so cost wont be too high. That way if it works it will be a good useable size but not expensive like 13x19 printing is.
 

RON_RIP

Senior Member
I'll have to look into that size and see what I can find. What is the cutout size on the 11x14 mat? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I'm not familiar with pre-cut mat board since the only time I used it was in high school and we had to cut it ourselves. I know this is going to take a lot of practice so that's why I'm looking for all of the popular sizes so cost wont be too high. That way if it works it will be a good useable size but not expensive like 13x19 printing is.

The cut out size is approx 8x10 so watch your border areas and allow enough extra at the top and bottom not to cut off part of the subject.
 

MeSess

Senior Member
So, I was messing around with the 13x9 paper that I got for free with the printer and I noticed when I set the borders to one inch the image in the print preview is nowhere near what it should look like. I printed it and the top and bottom margins came out at 2 inches instead. Why would it be printing like that? I tried typing in 1 inch for each side instead of just selecting 1 inch bordered 13x19 and the display looks like the left and right sides of the image are almost touching the edge of the paper.
 
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