A Quick Guide to Photo Paper Sizes

Get Photo Paper in the Size that you want

Most paper bought nowadays follow the industry standard A sizes.  But that is not necessarily the ideal format.

For example 10x8 has traditionally been the portrait sizes and is still widely used for framed photos.  For photo saring or albums 4x6 (10x15cm) and 5x7 (13x18cm) are the most popular  The industry refers to these as "R"sizes - from 3R, 4R, 5R, 6R, 8R to 11R.

Other photographers like their prints to reflect exactly what they see through the viewfinder - - "What you see is what you print".  Whiulst the aspect ratio of 1.42:1 is near to the 3:" aspect ratio for most DSLR cameras it is not the same and some cropping will occur.  If you use the 4:3 ratio camera (Olympus or most compacts) then there will be much more cropping - the balance will be different.

Square pictures are popular too.

Here is a list of paper sizes which photographers might like to consider.  Of course they are all available from OPUSalbums.com, either as standard products or using the 'Photo Paper How You Want it' service

Here are those currently available:

• “A Series”  (A6 to A2) - Standard sizes in Europe and  most parts of the world.


• American Sizes – as used in North America


• Traditional Photo Sizes (like 5x7 and 10x8) - Used for framed pictures and displays.
  


• Panoramic Sizes (16:9 and 3:1 aspect ratio) – 16:9 is the standard wide format video ratio – and many digital cameras have a panoramic option with this ratio.  3:1 is of course twice the 6x4,15x10 size (and proportionately larger).  This size has been promoted by Hewlett Packard.


• Camera Aspect Ratio (3:2 and 4:3) – Most digital SLR cameras use the 3:2 size as standard; Olympus and some Pentax use 4:3 - as well as many compact digital cameras.
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• Square Photo Paper - Classic photos often started out in square format - from the old 2x2 52x52mm medium format film.  This is still used in some professional areas.
  

• Photo Album Size (12x12in – 30x30cm)


• Scrapbook Size (8x8in – 20x20cm)
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• Greeting card friendly sizes (e.g double 6x6 and double 8x8)


• Promotional leaflet sizes (e.g 2/3xA4 and 5/6xA4 - for half fold designs) - Two-third A4 is quite popular:  the 1/3 A4 format 'trifold' being standard for many items.  If only ofur surfaces rather than 6 are needed then the 2/3 A4 is ideal.
  

Note re sizes

There are some variations as to the exact sizes - those shown are as used by OPUSalbums.com and minor adjustments have in the interests of economy.  However in all cases we have preserved the aspect ratio.

For example 6x4 is normally 152x102mm – in our case it is 148x99mm – less than 3% smaller. 

In the case of American letter there is an option of 8.5x11 or 8.25x11 – the latter has to be cut from A3 which is very wasteful.  If there is a demand we will bring some product over from the USA.

For 2/3 A4 - as we have 1/3 A4 left over we supply the 1/3 A4 offering free of charge.