Best Art Print Sizes: The Complete Guide for Artists Selling Prints

Choosing the right art print size can dramatically impact how your artwork sells. Artists who sell prints online, display work at conventions, or prepare pieces for galleries all rely on the right size to present their artwork effectively. Print size influences everything from framing and presentation to pricing and overall customer appeal.

Professional artists tend to rely on a handful of standard print sizes that work well for handling, framing, traveling, display, and shipping. Using common sizes makes it easier for buyers to find frames and helps you keep printing costs under control.

This guide explains the most popular art print sizes used by illustrators, photographers, fan artists, and fine artists, along with aspect ratios and framing tips that can help your artwork look its best.

Standard Art Print Sizes

While artwork can be printed in almost any dimension, certain sizes have become industry standards because they fit common frames and display spaces. These sizes are widely used by artists selling prints online, at conventions, and in galleries.

Many artists simplify their offerings by focusing on two or three core sizes. This allows them to keep printing costs manageable while giving customers enough variety to choose the right piece for their space.

Most Popular Art Print Sizes for Artists

If you're deciding which sizes to offer in your shop, the following print sizes are some of the most widely used by artists selling artwork both online and in person.

Common Art Print Aspect Ratios for Posters, Photography, and Artwork

Aspect ratio describes the relationship between the width and height of an image. Understanding aspect ratios helps artists scale their artwork properly when offering multiple print sizes.

If your artwork uses a consistent ratio, you can easily produce different print sizes without cropping or distortion.

Many artists intentionally create artwork using a 2:3 or 4:5 ratio so they can easily offer multiple sizes without redesigning their compositions.

Art Print Size vs Frame Size

Choosing a frame that complements your artwork can elevate the presentation. Many artists print slightly smaller than the frame size so a mat board can create a gallery-style border.

This framing chart shows common art print sizes and the frame sizes artists often use when matting artwork for a gallery-style presentation.

If you're preparing artwork for framing or wall display, many artists choose poster-sized prints that fit standard frames like 18×24 or 24×36.

Sometimes the Artwork Determines the Print Size

Standard art print sizes make framing and selling easier, but the artwork itself often determines the final dimensions. Many illustrations, paintings, and digital pieces are created with a specific composition or aspect ratio that doesn’t match standard sizes exactly.

For example, a wide landscape might fit a 2:3 ratio like 12×18 or 24×36, while a portrait-style piece may work better in a 4:5 ratio such as 8×10 or 16×20. Forcing artwork into a different format can mean cropping important details or adding large borders.

In practice, many artists order 11×17 prints and add smaller sizes like 5×7 or 8×10. Artwork created at 11×17 often scales better to sizes like 4×6 or 8×12. Because every piece of art is different, we frequently help artists choose print sizes that preserve the composition.

Designing Artwork With Print Sizes in Mind

Some artists take the opposite approach and plan their artwork around common print sizes from the start. Designing with standard dimensions in mind makes it easier to produce multiple sizes without cropping or reformatting the artwork later.

For example, artwork created using a 2:3 aspect ratio can easily scale into sizes like 12×18, 18×24, and 24×36. A 4:5 ratio works well for prints such as 8×10 and 16×20. By keeping these relationships in mind during the design process, artists can produce several print sizes from a single original file.

How Many Print Sizes Should Artists Offer?

Many successful artists keep their product offerings simple by focusing on two or three core sizes. This approach helps maintain consistent inventory while still giving customers options.

A common strategy is to offer:

• Small size: affordable entry-level print
• Medium size: the most popular option
• Large size: premium statement artwork

For example, an artist might offer prints in 8×10 or 8.5×11, 11×14 or 11×17, and 18×24 sizes. This mix of art print sizes gives customers several choices, from affordable smaller prints to larger pieces that make a stronger statement on the wall. Offering multiple sizes also allows artists to reach different budgets while showcasing the same artwork.

Another combination we commonly see is 4×6, 8×10 or 8×12, and 11×17. This smaller set of print sizes keeps artwork easier to store, carry, and transport, which can be especially helpful for artists selling at conventions, art fairs, or markets.

Choosing the Right Paper for Art Prints

The size of an art print is only part of the presentation. Paper choice also plays a major role in how artwork looks and feels.

• Matte paper: soft finish that works well for illustrations and graphic artwork
• Satin or semi-gloss: balanced finish often used for photography
• Gloss paper: vibrant color and contrast
• Fine art or giclée paper: archival quality for gallery reproductions

Artists who want museum-quality reproductions often choose archival fine art paper because it preserves color and detail for decades.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Art Print Sizes

Choosing the best art print sizes comes down to balancing presentation, framing compatibility, and customer demand. Standard sizes like 11×17, 12×18, 13×19, and 18×24 remain popular because they are easy to display and widely recognized by buyers.

By focusing on proven sizes and consistent aspect ratios, artists can simplify their production process while offering prints that look professional and frame beautifully.

Whether you're selling artwork online, at conventions, or through galleries, understanding the most popular print sizes helps ensure your artwork reaches customers in the best possible format.