A 20 x 28 print fits a 20 x 28 frame for an exact edge-to-edge fit, or a 24 x 32 frame with a mat cut to a 20 x 28 opening.
The numbers that prevent a wrong-frame return are the frame’s inner dimensions and the mat’s visible opening — not the size in the product title.
A 20 x 28 frame holds a 20 x 28 print exactly; a 24 x 32 frame holds it matted to a 20 x 28 opening.
Does A 20 x 28 Print Fit A 20 x 28 Frame Exactly?
Yes, and it’s the simplest path. Frame Destination’s frame-and-mat dimension guide lists 20 x 28 as a standard print size pairing with a same-size frame for a full-bleed display, with the image running to the frame’s edge.
Two specs decide whether a “20 x 28 frame” behaves that way:
- Inner dimensions — the opening the glass sits over, which your print must clear.
- Rabbet depth — the ledge holding glass, print, and backing. Too shallow and a thick poster plus backing won’t seat.
A real poster-shop frame is built to those inner measurements; a generic “20 x 28” listing sometimes isn’t. Check the spec line, not the title.
For a print with a white border, deckled edge, or non-square trim, measure the visible image area instead. A one-inch border on all sides shows an 18 x 26 image framed flush, changing the mat opening you order.
What If You Want A Mat Around The Print?
Matting enlarges the frame while the visible picture stays 20 x 28. A 24 x 32 frame with a mat cut to a 20 x 28 opening is standard, and Frame Destination’s chart lists 24 x 32 as the matted frame size for 20 x 28 artwork. The extra two inches per side is the mat border. Mats also keep the print off the glass, which matters for textured or transferable ink.
Mat openings are usually cut a fraction smaller than the artwork so the board overlaps and holds it. A mat “for 20 x 28” is not a 20 x 28 hole. Ask for the visible opening size — it should be slightly under 20 x 28.
Watch For Frames Sold With A Smaller Mat Opening
Some products sold as 20 x 28 frames come with a 16 x 24 mat opening, cropping the image. InFrameHouse’s frame size guide and Poster Store’s sizing pages treat nominal frame size and actual display area as separate facts for this reason.
| Setup | Frame Size Needed | What The Viewer Sees |
|---|---|---|
| Flush, no mat | 20 x 28 | Full 20 x 28 image to the frame edge |
| Matted, full image | 24 x 32 with 20 x 28 mat opening | Full 20 x 28 image with a border |
| Matted, cropped | 20 x 28 with 16 x 24 mat opening | Only a 16 x 24 slice of the artwork |
| Border-trimmed poster | Measure visible image, then match | Depends on the trim |
The cropped setup isn’t a defect — many buyers want a wider mat and smaller picture. It only hurts when it arrives as a surprise.
How To Confirm The Size Before You Buy
Measure the print’s visible image area, then compare it to the frame’s listed inner dimensions and the mat’s stated opening. Write all three down in inches and any mismatch surfaces before shipping.
Reviews catch listings whose inner opening runs small; our roundup of tested 20 x 28 frames flags which measure true to spec. Poster Store’s published picture frame size chart is a solid reference to hold measurements against.
FAQs
Can I put a 20 x 28 print in a 24 x 32 frame without a mat?
Yes, but it will float with roughly two inches of empty space per side, held by the backing or foam board. It looks unfinished unless you fill the gap; a mat cut to a 20 x 28 opening is the cleaner fix.
Is a 20 x 28 frame the same as a 20 x 28 poster frame?
Not always. “Poster frame” listings sometimes describe outer dimensions rather than the inner opening, which can differ by a quarter inch or more. A frame measuring 20 x 28 outside will be too tight for a true 20 x 28 print.
What does a 16 x 24 mat opening do to a 20 x 28 poster?
It covers the outer edges and shows a smaller 16 x 24 window. Fine where cropping helps a photo, wrong for a poster with text or a signature near the border. If the whole image matters, order a 20 x 28 opening instead.
References & Sources
- Frame Destination. “Guide to Frame and Mat Dimensions for Common Print Sizes.” Lists 24 x 32 as the matted frame size for 20 x 28 artwork.
- InFrameHouse. “Print & Frame Size Guide.” Supports the 50.5 x 71.1 cm conversion and the frame-vs-image-area distinction.
- Poster Store. “Picture Frame Sizes.” Reference chart for standard frame dimensions and inner openings.
