Print size visualizer

How to size art for your wall

A common design guideline is that art over furniture should cover about half to three quarters of the furniture’s width. Over an 84 inch sofa, that is 42 to 63 inches. A single 20x30 print is 30 inches wide, so on a big wall, group two or three prints in a row with a small gap.

The visualizer shows this to scale. Pick a room, a size and a count. It tells you how much of the furniture width the art covers. Remember that it uses typical sizes. Measure your own wall and furniture before you order.

Print sizes and their shapes

The print store sells 4x6 ($8), 5x7 ($12), 8x10 ($25), 11x14 ($45), 16x20 ($75), 20x30 ($125). A 4x6 has the same shape as many cameras (3:2). An 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20 are squarer, so some of the photo edges are cropped to fit. A 20x30 matches the 3:2 shape and needs little cropping.

Check the crop on your photo before you order. Portrait and landscape orientation both work. The visualizer follows the orientation of the photo you pick.

Hanging height and spacing

A common rule in galleries is to hang art with its center about 57 inches from the floor. Over furniture, the bottom edge usually sits 6 to 8 inches above the sofa, mantel or headboard. For a row of prints, 2 to 3 inches between frames looks tidy.

Over a stairway, follow the slope of the stairs and keep the art at eye level as you walk up. The visualizer places the art on a flat line for simplicity.

Wall products

Beyond prints, the store sells wall products with a starting price: Canvas from $260, Metal Print from $132, Framed Canvas from $416, Gallery Frame from $212, Signature Album from $389, Layflat Book from $361. Prices depend on size and finish, so the numbers here are starting points.

Session packages include digital files and a print release, so you can print anywhere you like.

Frames, mats and the space around art

A frame and mat make a print larger than its paper size. A 16x20 print in a wide mat and frame can measure 24 inches across or more. The visualizer shows the print only. Add a few inches on each side when you plan a tight wall.

Leave breathing room around art. A print crowded against a window, a light switch or the ceiling looks cramped. On a wide wall, a row of two or three matching prints reads as one piece and fills space better than a single small one.

How to choose the photo

Pick a photo you can live with for years. Wide, calm images work best on a big wall. Close portraits look best at 8x10 to 16x20. Pick a size, then look from across the room to check it. The visualizer shows what size might work. Your wall has the final say.

Questions about print sizes