Choose a 14 x 20 frame only when your artwork is exactly 14 x 20 inches and displayed without a mat; with a mat, buy a larger frame that fits the mat’s outer size.
Picking a frame for a 14 x 20 print seems simple until the mat, glass, and backing turn the project into a stack that won’t fit. The mistake most people make is measuring only the artwork. The right starting point is deciding whether the piece gets a mat, since that single choice determines whether a 14 x 20 frame works at all.
The One Measurement That Decides Everything
Frames are sized by the rabbet, which is the inside edge of the frame’s back where the contents sit. That measurement is what must fit your entire package: the artwork, mat board, glazing, and backing all together. The rabbet should be slightly larger than the combined thickness of those layers so nothing bows or pops out.
If your print is a true 14 x 20 inches and you plan to hang it without a mat, a 14 x 20 frame is the direct fit and the glass opening will cover the full image. If a mat is part of the design, the math changes completely: the mat’s outer dimensions equal the image size plus both border widths on each axis. A 14 x 20 print with 2-inch borders becomes an 18 x 24 mat, which will not fit inside a 14 x 20 frame.
When a 14 x 20 Frame Fits, and When It Doesn’t
The decision comes down to presentation. Here’s the practical breakdown:
- No mat: A 14 x 20 frame works when the print is exactly 14 x 20 inches and will hang flush against the glass. This is the clean, modern look for posters and large photographs.
- With a mat: The frame must be larger than the mat’s outer dimensions, not the print size. A mat with borders around a 14 x 20 image typically needs an 18 x 24 or 20 x 24 frame, depending on border width.
- Smaller print matted up: A 14 x 20 frame also works for smaller prints when the mat brings the overall presentation to that size. Framing guides note that off-the-shelf mats often open about half an inch smaller than the stated picture size, so an 11 x 14 print might sit behind a mat opening around 10 1/2 x 13 1/2 inside a 16 x 20 frame — for your case, a smaller print matted to a 14 x 20 outer size works the same way.
The critical rule: the mat opening must be slightly smaller than the artwork so the image does not fall through. Standard guidance says the mat should cover at least 1/8 inch of the artwork on all sides, holding the edges securely beneath the mat board.
| Artwork Size | With No Mat | With a Mat |
|---|---|---|
| 14 x 20 inches | 14 x 20 frame fits directly | Go larger (e.g., 18 x 24) so the mat’s outer size fits inside the rabbet |
| 11 x 14 inches | 11 x 14 frame fits directly | 14 x 20 frame works when the mat’s outer dimensions land at 14 x 20 |
| 8 x 10 or smaller | 8 x 10 frame fits directly | 14 x 20 frame works with wide mat borders to fill the larger opening |
When your 14 x 20 print will hang without a mat, the frame size is settled. For a framed-with-mat look, first decide the mat borders, add them to the print dimensions, and let that outer number drive the frame purchase.
Matching Mat Borders to the Artwork
Mat width shapes both the visual balance and the frame size you need. General framing guidance for medium artwork commonly suggests borders around 2 to 3 inches, while larger pieces often use 3 to 4 inches for a more substantial presentation. Matting narrower than 1 inch is not recommended because the risk of damage rises.
Wider mats suit the visual weight of a 14 x 20 print, giving the eye room to rest before reaching the frame edge. The trade-off is a larger finished frame, so confirm the outer mat dimension against the frame’s rabbet opening before buying. Check that the rabbet is slightly larger than the stacked thickness of mat, glass, and backing — most standard frames handle this fine, but deep mats or thick acrylic can create a tight fit.
If preservation matters, choose an archival-quality mat and backing to keep the artwork from touching the glazing. Acrylic is often the better glazing choice for large frames because it weighs less and resists breaking, though it scratches more easily than glass.
Once the mat and frame sizes are locked in, the last step is finding a frame that fits the measurements you’ve confirmed. Our tested picks for 14 x 20 frames compare quality options that match the sizing logic above.
Logan Graphic’s framing guide on measuring and sizing frames reinforces that the rabbet size governs the fit — measure the full stack, not just the print.
Common Sizing Mistakes to Skip
Three errors cause most returns. Measuring only the image and forgetting the mat, glazing, and backing stack leads to a frame that won’t close. Using a mat opening the same size as the print lets edges peek through or drop into the opening — the opening should run slightly smaller. And choosing a frame based on artwork size alone when a mat is planned ignores that the mat’s outer dimensions are what must fit inside the frame. Keep the rabbet measurement as your reference point, and the rest falls into place.
References & Sources
- Logan Graphic Products. “Measuring & Sizing: Complete Picture Framing Guide.” Explains rabbet measurements and how frame size is determined.
