Paper size

[JohnT]

Why are some papers 8.5x11 instead of the standard 8x10? Standard frames won't accommodate 8.5x11 without trimming the print or custom framing. Makes no sense to me.

[kenw]

8.5x11 is standard "A" size for copiers and printers. It is not a photo paper size.

[JohnT]

Right. That's my point. :-) I bought some Ilford Pearl inkjet photo paper not long ago and didn't realize it was 8.5x11. For some reason when I looked at the size, I saw 8x10.

[DigitalScape]

John, A possible explanation is that some printers cannot do borderless 8x10 prints, so printing a 8x10 image on the 8.5x11 paper will allow the user to trim the image to 8x10. That's my best guess

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by jandjh1

John, A possible explanation is that some printers cannot do borderless 8x10 prints, so printing a 8x10 image on the 8.5x11 paper will allow the user to trim the image to 8x10. That's my best guess

You know, I bet you're right. That does make sense. Although my printer will print borderless, it cuts just a little bit of the image off in doing so. With the A-size paper, that's not a concern.

I'm just living in my own little, borderless printer world.

[Arnor]

John,

You can buy 8.5x11" frames all over. They are used for a lot of document framing etc. I also like using 8.5x11 for printing 8x10" because I never print bleeding photos (Call me crazy, but I just like the border around them!) Some older photo printers also can't print bleeding so you would need to have paper that's a bit bigger than the image.

Best regards,

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Arnor

John,

You can buy 8.5x11" frames all over. They are used for a lot of document framing etc. I also like using 8.5x11 for printing 8x10" because I never print bleeding photos (Call me crazy, but I just like the border around them!) Some older photo printers also can't print bleeding so you would need to have paper that's a bit bigger than the image.

Best regards,

Thanks, Arnor! I'll keep an eye out for those document frames. I never considered them before now.

[Arnor]

John,

I've used those 8.5x11 frames quite a bit. They give you a different crop than the standard 8x10 so you have a little bit different size to work with:) I'm cheap so I get them at Walmart or Target<g> Any kind of certificates etc. etc. are usually printed on 8.5x11 so there is definitely a market for those frames.

Best regards,

[AndrewCCM]

One thing I did almost immediately is buy a good paper cutter...LOL

I find myself using whatever size paper I have at the moment and cutting as necessary. Lately, it's been using 13x19 paper and trimming to 11x17 or 11x14 (since I am out of those paper sizes).

On a side note, it took me awhile to figure out why in the heck my prints didn't always match up to dimensions... Turns out the Epson driver turns on "EXPAND" to max to help with full bleed borderless printing. I now have that option turned off/minimum.

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

On a side note, it took me awhile to figure out why in the heck my prints didn't always match up to dimensions... Turns out the Epson driver turns on "EXPAND" to max to help with full bleed borderless printing. I now have that option turned off/minimum.

Yeah I learned the hard way that you don't want to enable borderless printing in the print driver unless you're actually doing borderless printing. And the way they accomplish the overspray is by increasing the DPI that the driver uses as native, so the bigger the print the more overspray you get.

I rarely print borderless except for the occasional 4x6 or 5x7 anyway so it's not really an issue. For prints that are going to be matted I like having a paper border around the image anyway, makes it easier to handle and mount. Only time you really need an exact cut size if for frames without mats.

[johnastovall]

Framing without a mat is a very good way to ruin any print be it photo, wood block, Litho or what ever. Paper should never (if you value it) be in direct contact with the glass. Because at some point you'll get some moisture on inside of the glass and that will result in mildew.

[onewingedangel73106]

Hobby Lobby is another good place for the 8.5x11 frames they are almost always on sale for 50% off :)

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by onewingedangel73106

Hobby Lobby is another good place for the 8.5x11 frames they are almost always on sale for 50% off :)

That's because no one wants them! LOL Just kidding. There's a HL about 10 minutes from my house so I'll drop in sometime. Thanks for the tip.