How to Choose the Right Frame Size for a 13×19 Print | Mat Or No Mat

For a 13×19 print, choose an 18×24 frame with a custom mat or a true 13×19 frame with no mat.

Choosing the right frame size for a 13×19 print comes down to one question: do you want a mat board around the image? Thirteen by nineteen inches is a common inkjet paper size, but it is not a standard picture frame size. Frame Destination, a framing supplier, notes that 13×19 paper works best with a standard 18×24 frame that uses a custom mat.

The Two Ways To Frame A 13×19 Print

You have two solid options, and each changes the look. The first is an 18×24 frame fitted with a custom mat cut to your image. The second is a frame with a usable opening of exactly 13×19 inches, used without any mat.

Most people end up with the matted option because 18×24 frames are widely stocked. The mat board fills the extra space and gives the art a gallery-style border.

Why The 18×24 Frame With A Custom Mat Is The Standard Pick

Frame Destination identifies 13×19 as a standard inkjet paper size yet confirms it is not a usual picture frame size. Their framing guides list 18×24 as the standard matted frame size for a 13×19 print. This combination works because the mat bridges the gap between the paper and the frame’s inner edge.

The mat opening matters more than the frame itself. A custom mat opening should be cut slightly smaller than the artwork so the mat overlaps the print edges. Most framing guides recommend an overlap of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch around the perimeter. This overlap holds the print in place and keeps it from sliding inside the frame.

If the full paper border is not meant to show, the mat opening can be set to the visible image area. For a 13×19 paper print, that often lands around 12×18. Measure the image area directly before ordering the mat cut.

The No-Mat Route: A True 13×19 Frame Opening

For a clean, borderless look, skip the mat entirely and use a frame whose opening is exactly 13×19 inches. A framing guide states the frame should be exactly 13×19 for a no-mat setup.

The trap here is product labeling. A frame sold “for 13×19 prints” may list outside dimensions instead of the usable display area. Before you buy, check the listed display area, inside dimensions, or mat opening. Some 13×19 frames show different outer sizes and interior openings, which can produce a too-small opening or an unexpected border.

Frame Size Mistakes That Ruin The Look

Three mistakes cause most 13×19 framing fails. First, buying by outer dimensions rather than the usable opening. Second, assuming every 13×19 print has the same visible area — a borderless print has a larger image than one with a paper border, so the mat opening must change. Third, ordering a mat opening identical to the paper size when the mat is meant to overlap and secure the print.

For a polished, off-the-shelf result, buy an 18×24 frame and a custom-cut mat sized for the exact visible image area of your 13×19 print. The mat should cover only a small edge of the print; heavy overlap crops the image, while too little leaves the print loose.

What To Check Before You Buy

Frame terminology can be confusing. “Frame size” may refer to the inner opening or the advertised nominal size, not the outer molding. Always confirm the display area from the product specs.

Once you know the right frame size for your 13×19 print, the next step is picking a quality product. Our tested roundup of the best 19×23 frame options covers strong choices for larger paper sizes.

Note that 13×19 is sometimes called Super B, Super A3, or A3+ in printing contexts. That naming does not guarantee a standard frame size, so always verify the frame’s usable opening against your print. Frame Destination’s picture frame size guide confirms which standard frames pair with common print sizes.