Size guide
What size frame for an 11×14 print?
An 11×14 print fits an 11×14 frame without a mat; for a matted online art print, use a 16×20 standard frame or order a 15×18 custom frame. Bare feels poster-like; matted gives online prints, certificates and small editions more presence.
Quick answer
11×14 bare; 15×18 custom for a tight mat; 16×20 standard for the shop-stocked version
| Frame | Mat opening | Even border (sides · t/b) | Bottom-weighted (t · b) | Glass / backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11×14 — snug, no mat 27.9 × 35.6 cm | — | — | — | 10 7/8 × 13 7/8″ |
| 16×20 40.6 × 50.8 cm | 10 1/2 × 13 1/2″ | 2 3/4 · 3 1/4″ | 3 · 3 1/2″ | 15 7/8 × 19 7/8″ |
| 18×24 45.7 × 61.0 cm | 10 1/2 × 13 1/2″ | 3 3/4 · 5 1/4″ | 5 · 5 1/2″ | 17 7/8 × 23 7/8″ |
Bare art print or matted standard?
Read the table as a shopping ladder. The first row is the bare online-print fit: 11×14 paper in an 11×14 frame, with glass cut to 10⅞ × 13⅞″. The next rows are matted fits. Their opening is always 10½ × 13½″, because the mat overlaps the 11×14 print by ¼″ on every edge.
That opening is why a tidy custom size is smaller than many people expect. For roughly 2″ of visible mat outside the print edge, the cutter measures 2¼″ from the opening and the outside is 15×18. For an easy stock frame, move to 16×20 and accept the wider 2¾″ side, 3¼″ top/bottom border.
Worked example: 2″ visible mat, then the nearest standard frame
Start with an 11×14 art print and the site’s standard ¼″ overlap. The mat opening is 10½ × 13½″. To show about 2″ of mat beyond the print edge, use a 2¼″ cutter border from the opening; the mat outside is 15×18, which means a custom 15×18 frame.
Custom is not mandatory. A 16×20 frame uses the same 10½ × 13½″ opening and gives 2¾″ at the sides, 3¼″ at the top and 3¼″ at the bottom; bottom-weighting shifts that to 3″ top and 3½″ bottom. Use the frame size calculator for custom outside sizes, or check a ready-made option with the fit checker.
Takeaways for online art prints
If the art already has a generous white border printed on the paper, a bare 11×14 frame may be enough. If the image runs close to the edge, matting up to a 16×20 frame usually looks more intentional. Diplomas and certificates follow the same rule: preserve any printed seal or signature area before you decide how much mat to show.
Common mistakes
- Buying the print-size frame for a matted print. An 11×14 frame is the no-mat fit. The moment you add a border, the outside size must grow.
- Calling every 2″ mat the same thing. A 2″ visible margin around the paper is a 2¼″ cutter border from the opening edge when you use ¼″ overlap.
- Ignoring the image area. Many 11×14 art prints include white paper around the artwork. Measure the part you want visible before cutting the mat.
Frequently asked questions
What size frame for an 11×14 print?
Use an 11×14 frame for a bare fit. For a mat, a 16×20 ready-made frame is the common choice, while a 15×18 custom frame gives about 2 inches of visible mat around the print.
What size print fits an 11×14 frame with a mat?
An 8×10 print is the standard smaller print for an 11×14 frame. Its mat window is 7½ × 9½ inches, leaving 1¾ inch side borders and 2¼ inches at the top and bottom.
Will an 11×14 print fit in a 16×20 frame?
It fits cleanly with a mat. The window is 10½ × 13½ inches, and the 16×20 frame leaves 2¾ inches on the sides plus 3¼ inches at the top and bottom.
Does an 11×14 frame come with a mat?
Some listings include an 8×10 mat and some are bare. Check both the outer frame size and the mat opening, because an 11×14 frame with an 8×10 mat is not the same product as a bare 11×14 frame.
What is the glass size for an 11×14 frame?
Plan on about 10⅞ × 13⅞ inches for glass or backing. The small reduction gives the sheet enough clearance inside the rabbet, the recessed ledge at the back of the frame.