FRAME SIZE FOR A CROWN POSTER

The Crown poster size — 15×20 inches (38.1×50.8 cm) — is a traditional British printing format that dates back to the days of letterpress. You will still see it used for theatre playbills, independent film posters, and art prints from UK publishers. It is a portrait-format size that sits between A3 and A2 in area, making it a comfortable mid-size for most rooms. Without a mount, you need a 15×20 inch frame. With a 2-inch mount border, the frame becomes 19×24 inches. Use the calculator below for your preferred mount width.

QUICK REFERENCE: CROWN (15×20")

Inches

15" × 20"

Centimetres

38.1 × 50.8 cm

Frame without mount

15" × 20"

Frame with 2" mount

19" × 24"

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

CALCULATE YOUR FRAME SIZE

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

YOUR DIMENSIONS

Poster Size15" × 20"
Mount Opening14.5" × 19.5"
Mount Outer19" × 24"
Frame Size Needed19" × 24"

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

Frame: 19" × 24"

15" × 20"
Frame
Mount
Poster

WHERE TO HANG A CROWN POSTER

A Crown poster works well in hallways, bedrooms, and home offices. Its tall, narrow proportions suit spaces where width is limited but height is available — the strip of wall between a door and a corner, or the area above a tall bookcase. In a living room, a pair of Crown posters flanking a window or a mirror creates a balanced, symmetrical look. Hang them with the centres aligned and about 10 cm gap between each frame and the window edge. In a bathroom, a single Crown print above the towel rail adds character without taking up too much wall space. For staircase walls, Crown posters work well ascending in a diagonal line following the stairs. The format is tall enough to make an impression but narrow enough to avoid crowding on a stairwell wall.

PRINTS CLOSE TO CROWN SIZE

Our 16×24 inch prints (£25.99) are the nearest standard size to Crown — just 1 inch wider and 4 inches taller. Available with optional wooden or black framing.

FRAMING TIPS

Crown posters are an unusual size, so you may need to order a custom frame or use a slightly larger standard frame with a mount to fill the gap. A natural wood frame (oak or pine) suits the traditional origins of this format. If you are framing a vintage theatre poster or playbill, use acid-free mount board and UV-filtering glass to protect the print from yellowing and fading.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Crown poster?
Crown is a traditional British paper size measuring 15×20 inches (38.1×50.8 cm). It predates the ISO A-series and was historically used for printing broadsheets and playbills. Today it is still used by some UK printers and publishers, particularly for theatre and arts posters.
Is Crown the same as A3?
No. Crown is 38.1×50.8 cm, while A3 is 29.7×42 cm. Crown is significantly larger than A3 in both dimensions. A Crown poster will not fit in an A3 frame.
Where can I buy a 15×20 frame?
15×20 is not a common ready-made frame size on the high street. Your best options are online custom framing services, or you can use a 16×20 frame with a thin mount to take up the extra inch of width. Bespoke framers can cut any size to order.

OTHER POSTER SIZES

View all sizes in the full calculator →

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