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Frame size guide

50 × 70 cm frame

A 50 × 70 cm frame has an opening of 500 × 700 mm (19.69 × 27.56 inches). A common large metric poster frame size.

Mount aperture by border width

The wider the border, the smaller the visible image. All figures assume the mount overlaps the drawing sheet by 6 mm on every side.

BorderAperture (mm)Aperture (in)Sheet needed (mm)
30 mm (1.18 in)440 × 64017.32 × 25.2452 × 652
40 mm (1.57 in)420 × 62016.54 × 24.41432 × 632
50 mm (1.97 in)400 × 60015.75 × 23.62412 × 612
60 mm (2.36 in)380 × 58014.96 × 22.83392 × 592
70 mm (2.76 in)360 × 56014.17 × 22.05372 × 572

Many artists add a slightly deeper bottom border, around 10 to 20 percent more than the top and sides, so the picture sits comfortably. Use the frame and mount calculator to work it out with your own numbers.

Paper sizes that fit

BorderStandard paper sizes that work behind the mount
30 mmNo standard size fits exactly - cut a custom sheet of 452 × 652 mm
40 mmNo standard size fits exactly - cut a custom sheet of 432 × 632 mm
50 mmNo standard size fits exactly - cut a custom sheet of 412 × 612 mm
60 mmA2
70 mmA2

Framing tips

  • Measure your actual frame before cutting a mount - sizes vary slightly between makers.
  • Use acid-free mount board and a spacer so the drawing never touches the glass.
  • Consider UV-filtering glazing for work on paper that will hang in daylight.

Full method: how to frame and mount a drawing. Choosing paper: archival paper for selling your drawings.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a 50 × 70 cm frame?+

A 50 × 70 cm frame has an opening of 500 × 700 mm (19.69 × 27.56 inches). The visible image inside a mount will be smaller, depending on the border.

What size drawing fits a 50 × 70 cm frame with a mount?+

With a 50 mm border all round, the aperture is 400 × 600 mm, so the drawing sheet needs to be at least 412 × 612 mm to sit behind a mount overlapping by 6 mm.

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