Photographers: what are the actual sizes of prints?

[bbernardini]

I'm trying to print out pictures for framing, and I get the impression that 3x5 and 4x6 don't REALLY mean 3x5 and 4x6 (much in the same way that a wooden 2x4 is not actually 2 inches by 4 inches). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Jamastiene]

1. I'm no expert, but I think photographers really mean

3 inches by 5 inches when they say 3 inches by 5 inches.

[Poiuyt]

2. 3X5, 4X6, 5X7, 8X10 etc. refers to the size of the paper

Some printers might put a white border around the image (~ 1/4") meaning the image would be slightly smaller than what's advertised.

[kwassa]

3. Aspect ratio

A picture can be printed any size.

The problem is the aspect ratio, which means the ratio of the length to the width of the film frame. A frame of 35 mm film has a ratio of 3:2, therefore the entire frame will print on 6 x 4 paper, but not on a 5 X 3 paper, so some of what is seen through the viewfinder of the camera, and is on the film frame, is cut off in the print.

[gmoney]

4. most labs lose a little on borderless prints...

on a 4x6 print, you may lose about 1/16 to 1/8-inch of the image that falls outside the edge of the paper... this ensures that there isn't a white edge down one side. Some labs let you specify "full frame" by adding a border, so the image itself is slightly smaller, but you don't lose anything at the edges of the frame.

If you're wondering about framing, consider that when matting, count on losing 1/8 to 1/4-inch on all sides under the mat. Again, making the print with a border can minimize this, or mounting the print to the board and NOT having the mat cover the edges, but that can look a little less than perfect.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. No, they really are measured accurately - if it says "4x6", it's gonna be 4 inches by 6 inches

None of that lumberyard bullshit fictional measurement.

One of the problems you might be having is that your photographic image might not be in an aspect ratio of 3x5 or 4x6 or 8x10 (and note that none of those have the same aspect ratios). So, to print to any of those sizes, part of an image is gonna have to be lost, or else the image is gonna have to have some white border on it.