Choosing the right print size for your art wall is important in order to create an elegant decor. Too small, and the fine art may lose its purpose in the room. Too big, and it may be overpowering. So how do you decide which print size to order? How do you make sure that the wall art you are buying will fit perfectly in your interior? Keep reading to learn about the considerations you should pay attention to.
Before deciding the right print size for your wall you need to understand the parameters within which you can work. This matters especially when you are thinking of going big. Therefore, there are several factors that may or may not restrict you.
Find out the maximum size that the photographer (or gallery), from whom you are buying, can offer. On one hand the maximum size is restricted by the quality of the actual image. If digital, the original file resolution and its quality will determine how large it can be printed? If it is a film image, the film type (large or medium format, or on 35mm) will guide the max print size? On the other hand, the maximum print size is also determined by the print lab where the artwork will be produced. Although many print shops these days can go quite large, not everyone offers the same capabilities.
If the image itself can be printed large, but the print lab’s abilities stop short of your desired size, consider these two options:
While printing large may not be an issue, you may be restricted in getting the right print size by your personal artwork budget. When high quality photos are printed in large format the price goes up very quickly. This is also exacerbated if the image needs to be shipped. Therefore, be sure to know what it will cost you to have the final masterpiece produced and delivered to your door.
Should you find out that it will be more expensive than you can afford, consider a different (less expensive) print medium. Maybe you are trying to purchase a large format TruLife® acrylic print. If so, consider purchasing a standard acrylic, which will save you some money. Another example would be if your goal is a large format framed print. In that case you may consider purchasing an unframed print, which can still look stunning, in order to fit your budget.
Finally, when choosing the right print size you have to work within the restrictions of your wall. There are two aspects here. One is the obvious, which is the actual physical wall size. It is a no brainer and needs no further explanation. On the other hand you have to pay attention to the less obvious parts of your art wall. Home builders often place utility features in weird spots. Things like electrical outlets, light switches, thermostats, air-vents, etc. can sometimes get in the way of wall art.
However, if such a nuisance appears you can consider additional options. One, can you opt for a slightly smaller print, if a smaller size would still satisfy you? Two, check whether the photographer has another image that you really like, but in a different orientation? For example, maybe the image you want is horizontal, but if you chose a vertical print it would fit just fine on your wall. Three, consider using a different wall altogether.
Every room is set-up differently and the type of that setup will influence the print size choice. The kind and size of the furniture, the size of the walls, the presence or absence of other art, will all affect the final choice.
The right print size will be influenced by the furniture in the room. However, there is a very subtle, but important difference. Whether the art piece is right above a piece of furniture, such as a bed or a sofa, or there is nothing below it makes an impact.Â
When the fine art print is on an empty wall you have a lot more options for different sizes. Even if there is furniture nearby, as long as it is not directly under the image, different sizes will look appealing. I believe that this is so because of how our brain works. When the wall art is directly above a sofa or a bed, we cannot but associate art with furniture. On the other hand, when the wall is clean all the way to the floor we perceive the image as free-standing. With no reference points almost any size would look good. That is why in fine art galleries you see prints of various sizes and it always looks good.
Therefore, when your print hangs directly above a sofa or a bed I recommend the following:
I am purposefully not commenting on the sizing of a vertical print here. The reason is that I do not recommend placing a vertical print above a horizontal piece of furniture, such as a sofa or a bed. In my opinion vertical prints look better in vertical, or narrower spaces. Examples would be tall fireplace walls, narrower pieces of wall in between 2 windows, empty vertical walls, etc.
Decide the right print size by also considering any other decor on the same wall. For example if the wall is clean and there is no other art hanging you have more options for the print size. Nevertheless, if you already have other art, whether photographs or other forms, you may want to keep sizes similar to create consistency.
Sometimes you want a print for your wall in order to make a bold statement and other times you want just to enhance the decor. If your goal is decor enhancement a smaller print size should work well. If you have other art in the room already, a similar print size will keep the interior flow undisturbed. However, if your goal is to create a powerful focal point in the room I would recommend that you go big. There is something about walking into a room and being immediately drawn to a wall masterpiece that you cannot remove your eyes from.
The right print size has to be determined by considering the viewing distance. In other words, how far will one normally stand from the print in order to look at it. Therefore, the viewing distance and the print size have to be coordinated. You don’t want to strain your eyes trying to see a small image on a distant wall. Then again, being really close to a very large print may be uncomfortable also. I see 3 possible scenarios for viewing distance.
This is the case when the viewer has no choice in seeing the print from a distance. Examples would be a hallway, a bathroom, or another small space. Hanging a really large print in one of those areas would not be ideal. It would be hard to appreciate the full view that the image offers.
Most homes do not have walls that can only be viewed from a distance, but it does happen occasionally. Those settings are found in large stairwell structures or in very tall rooms. Regardless, when you choose to hang an art print on such a wall you have to choose a very large print size. Otherwise you risk having an underwhelming effect, in which case it might be better to leave the wall blank in the first place.
The most common scenario is when prints hang on such a wall that the viewer can look both from a distance and walk near to take a closer look. I believe that when this is the case most people step a bit further from the image in order to enjoy it. Yes, they may occasionally stick their nose to the print in order to examine the details. However, even if they do that they soon resume their distant position in order to soak the entire image in. Therefore, I recommend that you think about what would be the most often viewing distance/s and decide based on that. In other words, ask yourself what the best spots in the room are to view the wall art.
Although more rare, sometimes people decide to group several prints together on the same wall. If that is you I suggest the following. Decide how many prints you are buying, what shapes (aspect ratio and orientation) they will be, and their group arrangement. For more information, read the section GROUPING FINE ART PRINTS, in my blog Interior Design With Nature Photography: Complete Guide. You might also want to read What is a Triptych Print?.
Once you have made your decisions the entire print group will have some sort of a shape to it (most likely rectangular). My recommendation then would be to treat the entire group as if it were one big print, when it comes to selecting the size. Therefore, decide what the right print size would be, if it were one print, and use that as your guide.
Probably one of the most important things you can do to ensure you are getting the right print size is to visualize it. There are several options to imagine the final product size on your wall.
One of the easiest ways to do that is by using art visualizing software. If you are technology savvy you can choose from a variety of options. However, if this sounds intimidating don’t worry. I highly recommend this free online art visualizer, which is very easy to use. It gives you a number of already preloaded room choices. The best part is – if you look on the upper left you will see an option to upload your own room image. Therefore, you can use your phone to take a photo of your room wall, upload it in the visualizer, and then upload the art print image you want. Once you have done that you can easily change the print size and experiment with what works best for you. Pro tip: measure something in your room to give you a reference for real length, so that you can scale the print size to reality.
Another simple step you can take to visualize the right print size on your wall is to use tape or paper. Simply take some contrasting color masking tape and make a shape on your wall. Then stand back and examine to see how it fits. Alternatively, you can take a large sheet of paper and cut it to the desired size, which you can also tape to the wall.
This article gives you various considerations when deciding the right fine art print size for your wall. While there is no magic black and white formula, there are certain principles that will help you narrow down the perfect art print size. The most important thing however, is that at the end the size works for you and your interior. If you happen to like something drastically different from what I have suggested above, my advice is that you follow your preference. Getting the right size is a form of art in itself. And if you decide to ignore everything that you just read, at the very least take the time to visualize your print size. If you are in the market for premium fine art nature photography I invite you to look through my online galleries. Good luck!
Mount Sneffels | Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50
Gintchin Fine Art offers exclusive limited edition fine art photography by Lazar Gintchin, a nature and landscape photographer specializing in large format size prints. Each image in Gintchin’s portfolio is a unique and limited edition print. The gallery includes high-quality wall art prints in acrylic and metal mediums, providing a luxurious fine art presentation. With a diverse range of genres to choose from, art enthusiasts can curate a collection that reflects their aesthetic preferences.
