Typical and Most Popular Canvas Sizes

Canvas giclee prints are excellent options for wall art. You can get personal images and artwork printed onto these durable and ready-to-hang decor solutions. Canvas giclee prints are exceptional bases for many art types.

When getting a canvas print, you want to ensure you choose the correct canvas size so that it perfectly complements the room where you will display it without overpowering the rest of the decor. By learning more about different canvas sizes, you can select the best one for your print.

Standard Canvas Sizes 

Here are some of the most popular canvas sizes. These sizes are generally easy to find and purchase online or at art stores. You’ll find standard frames fit them well, but you can also opt for custom framing to perfectly complement your print.

• Mini canvases: 5″x5″ and 6″x6″
• Small canvases: 8″x10″ and 11″x14″
• Medium canvases: 16″x20″ and 20″x24″
• Large canvases: 24″x30″ and 24″x36″

Why Is Canvas Size Important?

The proper canvas size is essential for appearance and functionality. Your wall art should strengthen the room and add a beautiful focal point. Overly large canvases might feel overwhelming or detract from other room elements, while too-small canvases can make your space feel bare.

Consider other reasons canvas size is so important:

• You can fill white space: Wall art allows you to personalize your space with images of your choosing. Canvas giclee prints are excellent options that offer cost-effective, lightweight and high-quality displays of artwork. With the proper sizing technique, you can fill empty wall areas with aesthetically pleasing and exact placements.
• You can accentuate furniture: Measuring canvas size helps you highlight your furniture. The right dimensions will accompany your furniture rather than overwhelm it. Proper canvas sizing allows you to create a unified and compatible room.
• You can complement other decorations: In addition to furniture, your canvas print sizes impact other wall art or room decorations. Finding the right size lets the new canvas giclee print take up necessary space without overshadowing other features.

An Overview of Common Canvas Sizes

Canvases come in all sizes — you can even order canvases with custom dimensions for unique spaces. However, whether you use a custom or standard-sized canvas, it will fall into one of these common categories of canvas sizes. This overview of general canvas sizes can help you determine the best option for your print and display space.

Mini Canvases

Mini canvases are ideal for miniature sketches, paintings, quotes and typography designs. You can use a shadow box frame to draw more attention to your print, or if you want a modern look, you can leave a mini canvas unframed. Showcase these tiny decor pieces on bookshelves and window sills and in other small spaces. Grouping a few mini canvases together can also create an eye-catching wall display.

Small Canvases

Small canvas sizes are versatile. You can print portraits and other artwork on them. They are perfect for individuals with limited space or those looking for a more cost-effective option. Most small canvases fit standard frame sizes and work well with both thick and thin frames. You can display them in any living space or home office to add a personal touch to your decor.

Medium Canvases

Medium canvases are ideal for more detailed landscapes, abstract works and group photos. They significantly contribute to a room’s overall look and feel — they are large enough to catch your eye, but they don’t overpower the space. You can hang these canvases in hallways or entryways or above sofas, sideboards or beds.

Large Canvases

Large canvases create stunning accent pieces and usually display abstract or modern art with bold colors, interesting shapes and textures. Detailed landscapes and portraits also look good on large canvases. A big canvas features well on large walls in living rooms and dining rooms. These canvases are also stunning statement pieces in commercial spaces like hotels and corporate offices and also make a strong impression at art galleries or art fairs — in fact, large canvases are popular at art exhibitions.

What Are Common Sizes for Canvas Prints?

You can find the best fit for your artwork or image by exploring common print sizes for art. Different dimensions might suit particular project types more closely. For instance, a small canvas might not fill a wide, empty space, while a larger canvas might be unsuitable for a smaller image.

Here are five common canvas print sizes and their advantages:

1. 10″ x 8″ Canvas Prints

A 10″ x 8″ giclee canvas print is about the size of a standard sheet of paper. Their petite size makes them popular choices for smaller locations, such as desks or bookcases. They also work well as wall art for more enclosed areas, such as entryways or small rooms.

In addition, 10″ x 8″ prints are extremely versatile. You can customize the prints with features like:

• Orientation: 10″ x 8″ canvas prints work in both portrait and landscape orientations.
• Image type: These prints can accommodate many image types, from family photos to artwork renditions.
• Purpose: You can hang this canvas size on your wall, use it as a desk accessory or give it as a gift for someone else.

2. 24″ x 10″ Canvas Prints

A 24″ x 10″ canvas print is another popular selection. This type features long vertical dimensions and shorter horizontal edges, creating a long rectangular shape. The format is ideal for displaying panoramic views and images — such as cityscapes — because it allows you to retain every detail of longer photographs and images.

The 24″ x 10″ style can fit nicely in home areas like:

• Above mantels: Fireplace mantels offer a unique opportunity for decoration. The 24″ x 10″ style fits nicely above the long frame. You could hang a family portrait or a beautiful panoramic nature view.
• In long hallways: This size’s extended dimensions are perfect for long hallways. You can fill the empty hallway space with a detailed and personalized image.
• Over long furniture pieces: 24″ x 10″ frames can also complement long furniture pieces. For instance, you might hang it over an extended couch or by a long dining room table.

3. 20″ x 16″ Canvas Prints

A 20″ x 16″ print is one of the standard canvas sizes that can suit many image types. You could display family photos, your favorite artwork or anything in between. Use it as a standalone decoration or pair it with other sizes. A 20″ x 16″ canvas print makes an excellent addition to many rooms, including:

• Living rooms: Your living room has many opportunities for customization. Many choose to fill white space above the couch or television with wall art. With a 20″ x 16″ canvas print, you can select an image that matches your preferences or room aesthetic.
• Offices: The right canvas print can boost your mood or motivate you while you work in your office.
• Bedrooms: These print sizes also fit nicely into bedrooms, where you may want to show off your individual style even more.

4. 20″ x 30″ Canvas Prints

A 20″ x 30″ print is an example of a relatively big canvas size, perfect for wall art. Many people use 20″ x 30″ canvas sizes for family photos because they can capture every detail in a broad frame.

These canvas sizes suit rooms like dining rooms, living rooms and other gathering spaces.

5. 24″ x 36″ Canvas Prints

Lastly, the 24″ x 36″ print is one of the largest options for wall canvas sizes. They are often used as standalone pieces or centerpieces with smaller frames surrounding them. Either way, they’ll leave a lasting impression on visitors. You can select stunning artwork or other memorable images to fill the dimensions.

This canvas size is popular for many spaces, including:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Gathering spaces

Frequently Asked Questions About Canvas Prints and Sizes

Below are answers to the questions our team fields most.

Why Is Canvas a Good Choice for My Print?

There are several reasons creatives worldwide make canvas their first choice for museum-quality prints, including:

• Durability: Canvas is an exceptionally durable and long-lasting material that withstands time better than paper options. Combine those traits with archival-quality inks to help preserve bright, rich colors, and you’ll have high-quality, permanent artwork for generations to enjoy.
• Aesthetics: It’s easy to create a one-of-a-kind look from a favorite drawing or photo by customizing your choices with different edge treatments and frames. You can further tailor your design with different types of canvas, such as matte canvas that eliminates glare or pearlescent options that offer a soft glow.
• Versatility: In addition to homes, canvas printing is a versatile solution for many types of businesses. Use them to reinforce branding in a high-rise office building or showcase your food photos in an upscale cafe. Try creating a gallery wall with smaller options, or go big for a focal point in large-scale areas.
• Eco-friendliness: Canvas production has a reduced carbon footprint since it involves primarily natural materials. Those traits make it an environmentally friendly choice for printmaking.

How Do I Choose the Right Shape for My Print?

The best shape for your print is a matter of personal style and the type of image you’re using.

Prints from landscapes, sunsets and panoramic shots generally look best on an oblong size, like 10 inches by 24 inches. These prints also look stunning as a diptych — artwork spread across two canvases — or triptych — images spanning three canvases. A square shape is often ideal for portraits, pictures of food and nature scenes with a single focal point.

What Space Considerations Should I Make?

Matching the canvas size to the space is crucial to achieving an appealing balance and scale. 

Start with the right space for your print. We recommend protecting your investment from exposure to direct sunlight and excess humidity to help preserve its beauty long-term. Once you choose the best option, examine its surroundings. What kind of light does the area get? What other furnishings or objects are in the room that could affect placement?

Next, measure the space you chose. A general sizing guideline is that the width of your print should be between one-half and three-quarters of the area’s width or of any furniture it sits above.

For example, suppose you want to place a print above your bed. If your headboard measures 80 inches across, you’ll want artwork that spans 40 to 60 inches wide. With extensive size availability, you can choose one large print or several smaller ones that fit these dimensions.

How Do I Determine Canvas Size Accurately?

Finding an exact fit for your image requires some measurements but is well worth it.

Canvas sizes use aspect ratios to designate specific sizes. This ratio indicates how one side of the canvas relates to the other. For instance, squares have a ratio of 1:1 because every side matches exactly. Using ratios helps you find the best size for your image without compromising quality. You might have seen pictures that appeared too small or too large for the frame, which indicates an improper ratio.

Measuring a ratio gives you an exact idea of canvas sizing. These are the basic steps for calculating aspect ratios:

1. Measure your artwork size: First, determine your artwork’s overall dimensions. For instance, you might have a typical 5″ x 7″ or 4″ x 6″ photograph.
2. Determine a ratio within the size: Calculate a ratio within the existing size. For example, you might want to view how your 4″ x 6″ photo appears within a square canvas. So, you might choose a 4:4 — or 1:1 — ratio.
3. Outline the ratio: Next, use painter’s tape or strips of paper to outline the new ratio over the current image. In other words, arrange strips to change the 4″ x 6″ image into a 4″ x 4″ image, blocking off the additional inches.
4. Adjust as necessary: Lastly, inspect the new ratio’s appearance and adjust as needed.

One of the best ways to work through this process is by contacting print service professionals. They can evaluate your image and provide recommendations for specific ratios or sizes.

What Other Size Options Exist?

Canvas prints are available in many sizes and vary based on the image size you provide and the printing partner you choose. At Tribeca Printworks, we proudly offer a range of standard options. Custom sizes are also available — please connect with us online to discuss your request.

What Canvas Material Options Exist?

We offer museum-quality print results on two primary materials. Epson Exhibition matte canvas is a lignin- and acid-free cotton-poly blend with a no-glare finish. Silverada contains metallic fibers that create a semi-gloss luster and appealing sheen. Both offer textural depth that helps add character to your work.

Choose Tribeca Printworks for Custom Canvas Printing

Finding the right canvas size is crucial for your image and room appearance. At Tribeca Printworks, we understand the importance of canvas print sizing. We offer a wide range of high-quality canvas giclee printing options and framing options. With our many sizes, you can find the dimensions that closely match your needs.

Our team works with you to find the ideal size for your space and image. We use a one-stop-shop approach, allowing you to complete the entire printing process in one centralized location. Whether you prefer online or in-person orders, we can help.

To get started with Tribeca Printworks, contact us today for a free quote and consultation.