An 11×14 print with a mat is typically framed in a 16×20 frame, with a mat opening of about 10.75×13.75 inches and borders around 2.5 to 3 inches wide.
A ready-made 11×14 frame holds an 11×14 print with no mat at all — the print fills it edge to edge. Add a mat and the whole package grows, because the mat is what surrounds the art, and the frame has to hold the mat, not just the picture. The math below takes about two minutes and saves you a return shipping label.
Why A Mat Pushes You Into A Bigger Frame
A mat is a board with a window cut in it. The window sits slightly smaller than your print so the mat overlaps the edges and holds the picture flat, and the board itself extends outward from that window in every direction. Both measurements matter, and they are not the same number.
US ready-made frames are sold by their inside opening — the rabbet, the recess the glass and contents drop into. A frame labeled 11×14 accepts an 11×14 insert. A mat labeled 16×20 is 16×20 across its outer edge, while its window might be only 10.75×13.75. Confusing the outer size with the window is the single most common framing mistake, and it is why people buy an 11×14 frame for a matted 11×14 print and find it too small.
Doing The Math Yourself
Pick your border width first, then work outward: twice the border plus the mat’s outer dimension gives you the frame size you need. Logan Graphic Products’ framing guide describes this same approach — size the window slightly under the artwork so the mat overlaps the edges and secures the print.
For a standard 2.5-inch border on an 11×14 print, you add 5 inches to each dimension: 11 becomes 16, and 14 becomes 20. That is where the standard pairing comes from. A tighter 2-inch border would suggest 15×18, which is a less common ready-made size, so most people land back on 16×20.
Wider borders read as more gallery-style. If you like a deeper mat — 3 inches or more — you may need a custom frame, since the common stock sizes jump from 16×20 upward.
| Setup | What It Fits | The Catch |
|---|---|---|
| 11×14 frame, no mat | An 11×14 print filling the opening | No border at all around the art |
| 11×14 frame with a cut mat | An 8×10 print, matted | The mat is 11×14 outside; the print inside is smaller |
| 16×20 frame with mat | An 11×14 print, matted | Standard gallery look; borders land near 2.5–3 in |
| 14×18 frame with mat | An 11×14 print, matted | Tighter border, less common in stores |
| Mat window at 10.75×13.75 | An 11×14 print underneath | About 1/8 in overlap per side to hold the print |
| Mat window at 11×14 | An 11×14 print, no overlap | Print can shift; window should be smaller |
| Custom frame | Any size you specify | Costs more and takes longer to arrive |
One note on shopping: when you see an 11×14 frame advertised “with mat,” check the window size in the listing photos. If the window is 8×10, that frame is built for a matted 8×10, not a matted 11×14. Logan Graphic Products’ sizing guidance covers the same distinction between a frame’s opening and the mat’s outer dimensions. If you would rather skip the math and buy something proven, this roundup of 11×14 picture frame with mat options covers setups where the window and frame are already matched.
The Shortcuts That Save You A Return
Buy the mat and frame as a matched set whenever you can — listings that state both the frame size and the window size remove all guesswork. The measuring guide for mat openings is the reference to check your numbers against before ordering.
- Know your print size first, then decide the border width, then size the frame.
- Expect an 11×14 print with a mat to need a 16×20 frame in almost every standard case.
- Read the window measurement, not just the outer mat size, before you buy.
- Plan on a custom frame if your border goes past about 3 inches.
FAQs
Can I mat an 11×14 print inside an 11×14 frame?
Only with a custom-cut mat whose window is much smaller than 11×14, which leaves a thin border. A ready-made 11×14 frame with a standard mat will not fit an 11×14 print, because the mat plus the print together exceed the frame’s inside opening.
Is a 16×20 frame always the right choice?
It is the most commonly cited standard for an 11×14 print with a mat, giving borders around 2.5 to 3 inches. A 14×18 frame works for a tighter look but is harder to find in ready-made sizes, so 16×20 remains the safer pick.
How wide should the mat border be?
Multiple framing guides suggest about 2.5 to 3 inches for 11×14 art, which produces a balanced gallery proportion. Wider borders look more dramatic but usually require a custom frame, since standard stock sizes do not accommodate them.
References & Sources
- Logan Graphic Products. “Measuring for Mats.” Explains mat window sizing and how borders are calculated.
- Logan Graphic Products. “Measuring and Sizing.” Covers frame opening versus mat outer dimensions.
- Patchogue Arts Council. “Matting and Framing Presentation.” Illustrates standard matted framing proportions.
