SPICYEDITIONS

FRAME & MOUNT CALCULATOR

Bought a poster and need the right frame? This calculator gives you the exact dimensions for your frame, mount opening, and mount outer size — so you can walk into a frame shop (or order online) knowing precisely what you need.

Select your poster size from the dropdown, choose whether you want a mount (mat), and adjust the mount border width to your preference. The calculator handles the maths — including the standard 0.25-inch overlap that holds the print in place. Looking for poster sizes in cm and inches? Try our poster size calculator.

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

Standard mount borders are 2–3". The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends a minimum of 2".

YOUR DIMENSIONS

Poster Size24" × 36"
Mount Opening23.5" × 35.5"
Mount Outer28" × 40"
Frame Size Needed28" × 40"

Mount opening accounts for a 0.25" overlap per side — the mount lip that holds the poster in place.

Frame: 28" × 40"

24" × 36"
Frame
Mount
Poster

We sell this size

SpicyEditions Bollywood-style art prints are available in 24×36" from £39.99. Framing available for 8×12" and 16×24" sizes.

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HOW FRAME & MOUNT SIZING WORKS

When you frame a poster without a mount, the maths is straightforward: your frame's inner dimensions match your poster dimensions. A 24×36 inch poster goes in a 24×36 inch frame.

Adding a mount changes the equation. The mount board sits between the poster and the frame, with a window (the “mount opening”) cut slightly smaller than the poster. That overlap — typically 0.25 inches (6 mm) per side — is the lip that holds the print in place. So a 16×24 inch poster gets a mount opening of 15.5×23.5 inches.

The mount border is the visible card surrounding the opening. The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends a minimum border of 2 inches (5 cm). A wider border draws more attention to the artwork — 2.5 to 3 inches is common for larger prints.

The frame you buy must fit the mount's outer dimensions, not the poster. For a 16×24 inch poster with 2-inch mount borders, the mount outer is 20×28 inches — and that's the frame size you need. Our calculator does this arithmetic for you instantly.

Worked example — 24×36" poster with mount

  • Poster: 24×36"
  • Mount opening: 23.5×35.5" (poster minus 0.25" overlap per side)
  • Mount border: 2" (your choice)
  • Mount outer: 28×40" (poster plus 2 × 2" border)
  • Frame needed: 28×40" (matches mount outer)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a mount (mat) and do I need one?
A mount (called a mat in North America, or passepartout in France) is a thick card border between your poster and the frame edge. It gives the artwork breathing room, stops the print from touching the glass, and makes smaller prints feel more substantial. You do not strictly need one, but framing professionals recommend a mount for any print smaller than 24×36 inches — it protects the paper and looks more polished.
How much overlap should a mount have over the poster?
The industry standard is 0.25 inches (approximately 6 mm) of overlap per side. This is the lip of the mount that holds the poster in place and prevents it from slipping. Our calculator uses this standard overlap in all its mount opening calculations.
What mount border width should I use?
The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends a minimum border of 2 inches (5 cm). For larger prints (16×24 inches and above), a 2.5–3 inch border (6–7.5 cm) looks well-proportioned. For smaller photos (8×10 inches and under), 2 inches is usually sufficient. Some framers use a slightly wider bottom border (called a weighted mount) for a more traditional look.
What size frame do I need if I am using a mount?
When using a mount, your frame inner dimensions must match the mount outer dimensions — not the poster size. For example, a 16×24 inch poster with a 2-inch mount border needs a 20×28 inch frame. Our calculator works this out for you automatically.
What size frame do I need without a mount?
Without a mount, your frame inner dimensions should match your poster dimensions exactly. A 24×36 inch poster goes in a 24×36 inch frame. Some frames have a small rebate (lip) that holds the poster, so the visible area may be fractionally smaller.
Can I use a mount with any size poster?
Yes, mounts work with any poster size. They are especially beneficial for smaller prints (A4, 8×12 inches, 5×7 inches) because the mount adds visual weight and draws the eye to the artwork. For very large posters (24×36 inches and above), a mount is optional — the print already commands attention at that scale.
What is the difference between a mount and a passepartout?
They are the same thing. "Mount" is the standard term in British English, "mat" or "mat board" is used in American English, and "passepartout" (or "passe-partout") is the French and German term. All refer to the card border placed between the artwork and the frame.
What poster sizes does SpicyEditions sell?
SpicyEditions Bollywood-style art prints come in three sizes: 8×12 inches (20×30 cm) from £19.99, 16×24 inches (40×60 cm) from £25.99, and 24×36 inches (60×90 cm) from £39.99. Wooden and black framing is available for the 8×12 inch and 16×24 inch sizes.

ABOUT THIS TOOL

This frame and mount calculator is maintained by SpicyEditions, a UK-based art print shop specialising in Bollywood-style poster art of British locations. Mount overlap uses the industry standard of 0.25 inches per side. Mount border recommendations follow the Fine Art Trade Guild guidelines.

Last updated: April 2026

SOURCES

NEED A POSTER TO FRAME?

Browse our collection of Bollywood-style art prints featuring London tube stations, UK landmarks, and cities — available in three sizes with optional framing.

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