Why is the bottom margin larger?

A larger bottom margin is a centuries-old convention in printmaking. It provides visual weight, space for the title, edition number and signature. The standard proportion is bottom margin 1.5x the side margins.

What bleed allowance should I use?

For etching/intaglio, 0 mm bleed (the plate mark defines the edge). For linocut/woodcut, allow 3-5 mm bleed if printing borderless. For screen printing, 5-10 mm bleed. Leave 0 if the image has a clean border.

What paper size should I buy?

Buy paper at least as large as the calculated paper size. Standard printmaking paper comes in sheets: BFK Rives 560 x 760 mm, Somerset 560 x 760 mm, Fabriano 500 x 700 mm. You may need to tear sheets to size.

Where do I sign and number prints?

Below the image, in pencil: edition number on the left (e.g., 7/50), title in the centre, signature on the right. This goes in the bottom margin. Ensure margins are wide enough for comfortable writing.

Should margins be the same for all print sizes?

Margins scale with print size. This calculator uses proportional margins based on the longest image dimension. Larger prints need wider margins. Very small prints (under 10 cm) benefit from generous margins for framing.

ArtCalcs

Print Paper Size Calculator — Margins & Bleed

Work out paper dimensions with correct margins and bleed for printmaking.

Image Width

Image Height

Margin Style

Bleed

Borderless prints only

How We Calculate This

How Paper Size Calculation Works

Paper = Image + Bleed + Margins (bottom-weighted)

The image size plus bleed gives the plate mark area. Margins are calculated proportionally from the longest dimension: standard is 15% sides, 15% top and 20% bottom. The total paper size must accommodate all margins.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Calculate screen printing frame size, clearance and squeegee dimensions based on your image size and mesh count. Free online calculator.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.