Should I put borders on my prints?

In this video I give an explanation of when you should add borders to your prints. Within the print dimension or not. This can be a fairly confusing decision so I try explain the difference between approaching it as a customer or an artist selling prints. As it can be confusing and should be based on personal preference, please feel free to leave questions or comments below!
The print in the video is by Portland artist Andrea Matthews.
See her work on IG at @mandreamatthews
To check out my print shop visit
www.photo-to-canvas.com
on IG @phototocanvaspdx
To check out my photography visit
www.jarreddecker.com
on IG @jarreddecker

[@lyndastarwriter8507]

Thank you for the primer...many options.

[@JuliaFrost]

That was a great explanation, thank you very much.

[@mattpearce3446]

Really helpful video. I've been confused about the inner/outer border for ages. What size border do you add to the print?

[@phototocanvaspdx]

Sorry for the delay! My borders depend on what roll im printing on and how much space I have. I like 1".

[@soarpurpose]

I have ordered some test prints of an artwork I am looking to offer for sale. The printer recommended I use a border to make the 9x12" artwork fit into a standard 11x14" frame (with look of a mat). I have also requested A4 and A3 with no border (which will involve cropping the art a bit). The downside of adding a border is that it is the same cost as the larger print plus adds to the cost of shipping.

[@jjrod666]

I guess for some. I don’t charge the full amount for the blank white space. The blank white also has a very different look than a mat. Adding the white border as a matte is something I can suggest but I never push my clients that way. It’s a personal choice and something people very rarely pick from my experience.

[@soarpurpose]

@@jjrod666 Hence I am doing some test prints & can hopefully offer both options. Borderless means some of the image gets cropped. Also poster frame sizes to be closest to my painting ratio. I have to pay for the white space trimmed to a standard frame. Client could have trimmed if get professionally framed. I am trying to offer to a more affordable price point. Shipping can be astronomical overseas. I am in New Zealand and the printing company I am working in is also. Not sure of risky to try use overseas companies. When looked at some overseas giclee options, there are different papers etc to ones I am lookinb at using in New Zealand so can get confusing. Talking to some New Zealand artists they said most of their clients are in New Zealand.

[@jjrod666]

When i print borderless no crop is needed. I trim the image to the edge allowing for the full image. I wish you were closer love to help!

[@soarpurpose]

@@jjrod666 my image isn't the exact proportions so some of the image will be cut off, hence doing some test prints to see what I prefer

[@soarpurpose]

@@jjrod666 got my test prints. The border looked really good with the paper I chose. Going to go with that to keep things simple. Customer has option of standard frame or can have custom framed if wants the border cut off.

[@man-yp1gb]

I bought a poster that is black and white photo of a band I like. I couldn't find a poster frame that fits the dimensions so I got a oversized poster frame with a white border mat inside. The poster put inside this frame now show white bars above and beneath it surrounded by a black frame

[@jarreddecker8965]

I would have printed the image to fit the mat correctly.

[@stellastockbridge]

This is so helpful!! Thank you

[@comfortfolorunso994]

Great video!

[@sciencetest8]

I have a lot of 18x12 photos without borders. 18widthx12 height. What is a good size border and frame to fit them. Thank you.

[@68fn2]

are your borders within the dimensions or outside the dimensions?

[@phototocanvaspdx]

Both that’s the point of the video. Generally outside.

[@kirkjamison4520]

I prefer framing my prints with borders so I was wondering if you just put your print in the frame by itself or do you use spacer strips to add a gap between the print and the glass?

[@phototocanvaspdx]

I have never spaced the print from the glass. Im happy to mention it to my local framing shop and see what they say!

[@kirkjamison4520]

@@phototocanvaspdx thanks 👍

[@jaw6651]

I know the video was posted a year ago so not expecting a reply but just wondering why do you always cut the borders please? (if the client requests that) instead of printing borderless so you won’t need to cut the borders off? Do you not like printing bordersless?

[@phototocanvaspdx]

Several reasons. Printing borderless fills up the maintenance cartridge, which is costly to replace. Printing borderless means you lose the edge of the image. You can’t print full bleed when you print borderless. And also, I’m often printing sizes that don’t correspond with my roll sizes so it’s not an option.

[@Guyfromtheinterwebsdood]

What size is the border on the image shown? Sorry I didnt hear it in the video if you mentioned it

[@phototocanvaspdx]

I think 1"

[@travelguide9184]

So why to use matt when u can just print it with border ?

[@phototocanvaspdx]

it just looks better. Some people use different colors, and some matts show the core. Add some depth too.

[@marumaruko6512]

How about just using a white frame?

[@phototocanvaspdx]

I’m not sure I understand the question? Lots of people don’t want to use white frames…