Print Paper Size Calculator — Margins & Bleed

A wider bottom margin is a centuries-old convention. It counters the optical illusion that a centred image sits low (the optical centre is above the geometric centre), gives the print visual weight, and leaves room for the title, edition number and signature. This calculator keeps the top and side margins equal and makes the bottom margin 1.3–1.5x the sides depending on the style you pick (Standard ≈1.3x, Minimal and Generous ≈1.5x). That sits within the range professional framers 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.

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.

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.

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.