A4 or 8 x 10

[ShopMissElla]

Hello, I would love some input if possible! I am based in the UK so currently selling my prints at A4 and A5.

I often get asked what size this is (the sizes are in the listing so I'm not sure why) but I guess that would indicate this is not a usual size in the US? Most of my sales are US and Australia so is 8 x 10 a more usual size over there?

I can easily cut them down to 8 x 10 but had always just figured A4 was a regular frame size. However perhaps that's just in the UK?

[Former_Member]

8X10 is a usual US size, but art print buyers will know what A4 is, I am unsure whether you should cut them down or not. Depends on who your target buyers are, I suppose. Maybe offer both?

[ShopMissElla]

Thanks Tarren. Yes perhaps offering both is the best thing... So tricky this global customers malarkey!

[PopItWhenShePops]

I'd offer both. Win-win!

Cute shop!

[kasumovicART]

I am from Europe, and I also offer A4 illustrations, but if someone asks I would cut them to the 8 x 10 inch size

[JudyStalus]

i don't even know what A4 means - I googled it and it seems to mean different sizes in different countries though I guess in Europe it means 8.3 x 11.7 ?
Seems a very odd size to me, certainly nothing you could put in a standard mat or frame in the US. Its a different size in Japan.
I don't think many americans will know what A4 means though perhaps Im just out of the loop which happens to me a lot.

[Former_Member]

I am Brazilian and A4 is the regular size here but I am selling 8x10 instant downloads since I noticed this is what most Etsy sellers do!

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I'm in U.S. and I always have to google A4 when I see the size listed. I never remember what the dimensions are. You could offer both or when you mention A4 put the dimensions in inches next to it.

[kasumovicART]

A4 is 8.3 x 11.7. In USA do you have 8X11 formats? Cause, than I could easily cut A4 format to 8 x 11, but 8 x 10 will lose shape than

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Iva, we have 8.5 x 11. It's also known as letter size. Standard premade frames are usually 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 16x20.

[Former_Member]

For prints, I've found the most common frame sizes are 8x12 in Europe (the standard digital camera output proportions) and 8x10 in the US. I offer both. My photo lab actually has both options - 20 x 30 cm and 20 x 25 cm - so I crop in Photoshop and they print it to the customer's choice of size.

For other types of prints - resumes, catalogs, etc. - A4 is the international standard, but USA has "Letter size" (and Legal, and something else that's even longer). Again, I offer both - let the customer pick the size they'll be printing on.

[kasumovicART]

Judy, does people in US always use premade frames or you sometimes go to a store and have a custom made frame? Here in Europe, well in my part of Europe :) we still like to go to the shops where you can choose a frame and you they make a custom fit for you

[kasumovicART]

Lix, my problem is that I sell original illustrations on paper, so it is not easy to cut them once I make them

[Former_Member]

Iva, I think custom frames are always an option, but there's more variety if you can use premade frames, plus they'll be cheaper. And if the person collects art, chances are they'll want all the sizes to be similar for display.

Wait, do you paint them to order or do you PRINT them to order?

[kasumovicART]

No, most of my works are originals, I have only few prints in Etsy store, and I am talking about originals. I do not make them to order (only if someone asks me to make custom order)

[Former_Member]

I think art originals are a different thing entirely - they are the size they are (but if you can work with a common frame size, that won't hurt either).

[kasumovicART]

Only problem is that I have to decide which size to make :) -for US customers or Europe customers or other

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

What Lix said - premade frames are easily available and less expensive than custom. There are plenty of frame shops and craft stores around that make custom size frames but I've never bought one myself. If I had a piece of art that was special to me I would consider it.

[kasumovicART]

Thank you for those informations, I will be sure to consider what you said

[Former_Member]

For original art, many people will gladly have a custom frame made. That's what I found drawing commissions for people.

[Former_Member]

Hey Iva, just keep in mind that the majority of Etsy users are Americans and that 8x10 prints fit in A4 frames with little adaptation (though it's not ideal!), but the opposite doesn't happen.

[Former_Member]

If your target buyer is an average American just looking to decorate in their home then 8x10 would be the way to go!

[RandyNyhofPhotos]

I print either 8x10 or 8x12 depending on the original file proportion. I think many purchasers will put the print in a mat and then frame it. The second view of all my image listings show how that image would look in a standard 11x14 proportion frame.

[ShopMissElla]

Thanks so much for all the input, I had no idea A4 wasn't known at all in the US. I shall go through the listing and alter the ones I can to add 8 x 10 etc as an option too.