Question about borders on photography prints

[ExposurePoet]

Hello all,

I have reached a point in my photography where I would really like to try to sell some of my prints. Before I do so I've tried to do as much research as possible so as to offer a product that carries the highest standard of quality. My question for you is, is it standard to print photograph prints with a white border/margins, or not? If so, what size border do you leave? I have looked on a few other websites and forums and have also tried to look at websites that sell photography prints, but I cannot seem to find a golden standard, so perhaps it just depends on the preference of the photographer? Thanks in advance for any help!

-Lauren

[private]

do what works for you - I personally do not print with a border

[mokka]

there are no 'standards' as such, certainly black is probably the most popular border colour around but it doesn't work for every photo, use your judgement, simple photos look great small with nice big borders, while I tend to find more detailed photographs look better as big as possible with a more modestly sized border. It depends very much on the frame too, and as private points out you can forgo the whole lot and have no border, which looks great in those clips frames.

The only thing I would say almost universally improves quality when borders are concerned is to use a proper cardboard matte (preferably bevel-cut if appropriate) rather than simply printing the border as part of the photograph.

[NathanFranke]

Ditto on the mat. I personally don't print with borders. Small prints with nice big borders do look nice for certain subjects, but I use a huge mat for that effect. If your printer offers it, grab some samples with borders to show your client. Clients are paying you, so give them what they want.

[mokka]

well I was lumping mattes and printed borders as part of the same general thing.

The biggest issue I would say with printed borders is that because it is one flat colour, the ripples in the paper stand out, you're never going to get the paper perfectly flat but this doesn't stand out on the photo itself.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by ExposurePoet

Hello all,

I have reached a point in my photography where I would really like to try to sell some of my prints. Before I do so I've tried to do as much research as possible so as to offer a product that carries the highest standard of quality. My question for you is, is it standard to print photograph prints with a white border/margins, or not? If so, what size border do you leave? I have looked on a few other websites and forums and have also tried to look at websites that sell photography prints, but I cannot seem to find a golden standard, so perhaps it just depends on the preference of the photographer? Thanks in advance for any help!

-Lauren

I think would depend who you want to show it to, but from the sounds of it you're a fine art photographer selling your work so doing anything that's generally is your preference is best and shows your art best in your opinion is what is best for a fine art photographer.

[Steve Mills]

Its a little bit off topic, but you I use some One1 software that adds various styles of borders to prints, rather than say a simple black border. Rather than borders on the actual print, I find that the style of mount I use on a print is a better way to enhance the image - you can buy a huge range of pre-made mounts (here in the UK) which are either single, double or triple mounts - plus they're quite cheap - you can even sell images mounted and let the customer sort out the framing to their taste.