Why such odd paper sizes?

mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
edited February 1, 2005 in Accessories
When I look at printers I'm surprised at the paper sizes they support. Letter-sized printers at 8.5x11" is obvious, though honestly I wish someone made an 8.5" by 12" paper so I could print 8x12's at home.

But 13x19"? The largest standard frame that fits is 11x14. The 12x18 size is nice but odd. And you can't find a 13x19 frame (from what I can find). The next size up is 17x22, again an odd size. You can get a 16x20 (and without going borderless), but can't go 16x24.

Is there a historical reason for these paper sizes?
Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Comments

  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited January 24, 2005
    mercphoto wrote:
    When I look at printers I'm surprised at the paper sizes they support. Letter-sized printers at 8.5x11" is obvious, though honestly I wish someone made an 8.5" by 12" paper so I could print 8x12's at home.

    But 13x19"? The largest standard frame that fits is 11x14. The 12x18 size is nice but odd. And you can't find a 13x19 frame (from what I can find). The next size up is 17x22, again an odd size. You can get a 16x20 (and without going borderless), but can't go 16x24.

    Is there a historical reason for these paper sizes?
    13x19 accepts a 12x18 frame which is the standard 35mm rectangle full frame image or 24mm by 36mm or 2/3 ratio. 14 x 21 is also a 2/3 ratio.

    Not sure of any other historical reason. 16 x 20 is a 4 x 5 ratio and matches standard 8x10.ne_nau.gif
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2005
    13x19 matte openings and frames for them
    mercphoto wrote:
    When I look at printers I'm surprised at the paper sizes they support. Letter-sized printers at 8.5x11" is obvious, though honestly I wish someone made an 8.5" by 12" paper so I could print 8x12's at home.

    But 13x19"? The largest standard frame that fits is 11x14. The 12x18 size is nice but odd. And you can't find a 13x19 frame (from what I can find). The next size up is 17x22, again an odd size. You can get a 16x20 (and without going borderless), but can't go 16x24.

    Is there a historical reason for these paper sizes?

    here's a good source for 13x19 mattes, frames
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2005
    Ok, the size thing is making more sense. Now I'm looking at the Epson 2200, which accepts paper rolls. I thought this would be cheaper, but according to Epson website, the roll is not cheaper than cut sheets. Sometimes it is a big more expensive per foot. I'm guessing the benefit to roll paper is less waste?
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    A former sports shooter
    Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
    My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
  • AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited February 1, 2005
    If you really want to know all about paper sizing go to: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html

    but I think you're really only interested in the best printer. I have an Epson Stylus / Photo 1270 which does a great job (although it's a bit older model). It feeds up to 13 x 19 paper which allows me to print graphics up to 11x17 (standard tabloid size) with room for a full trim to bleed. This means that if you want a finished product to fill a certain size, such as your 8x12s, you would need to load 8.5 x 14 (legal size), print and trim. This allows for the up to 1/2" margin most printers require for feed before laying down ink.

    mercphoto wrote:
    When I look at printers I'm surprised at the paper sizes they support. Letter-sized printers at 8.5x11" is obvious, though honestly I wish someone made an 8.5" by 12" paper so I could print 8x12's at home.

    But 13x19"? The largest standard frame that fits is 11x14. The 12x18 size is nice but odd. And you can't find a 13x19 frame (from what I can find). The next size up is 17x22, again an odd size. You can get a 16x20 (and without going borderless), but can't go 16x24.

    Is there a historical reason for these paper sizes?
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2005
    Angelo wrote:
    If you really want to know all about paper sizing go to: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html

    That explains a ton! Thanks.

    If only we went metric... sigh.
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    A former sports shooter
    Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
    My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
  • GREAPERGREAPER Registered Users Posts: 3,113 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2005
    mercphoto wrote:
    Ok, the size thing is making more sense. Now I'm looking at the Epson 2200, which accepts paper rolls. I thought this would be cheaper, but according to Epson website, the roll is not cheaper than cut sheets. Sometimes it is a big more expensive per foot. I'm guessing the benefit to roll paper is less waste?

    Ya gotta have roll paper to print those LONG panos
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