Photo Size Preference?

[dfreely]

The thing about 6x8 in the US is that there's only 1/8th of an inch until it hits large envelope territory, and there are no standard envelope sizes that would both fit the photo and still fall below the threshold. 6x8 isn't a standard size for photos here either, so fewer places will print them, and it would be harder to find frames, page protectors, etc that will fit them properly.

[HappinessStan]

"The thing about 6x8 in the US is that there's only 1/8th of an inch until it hits large envelope territory, and there are no standard envelope sizes that would both fit the photo and still fall below the threshold."

That's useful information for a Brit terminally baffled by the US postal system, thanks!

I started off mainly with 6x8, but have recently settled into 5x7 (even though they cost the same at the supermarket where I get them printed). I think that they seem a tidier shape, but have little idea why this should be. Possibly because 6x8 is so close to A5 that the dimensions seem a bit officey.

Starting with the photo and fiddling with it in an editing program I increasingly often find that the size, quality and shape of the picture suggests the dimensions it would prefer to end up in. I would have no qualms about cutting it into the shape of a duck if it would yield a better result.

[TheBritishBloke]

"The thing about 6x8 in the US is that there's only 1/8th of an inch until it hits large envelope territory, and there are no standard envelope sizes that would both fit the photo and still fall below the threshold."

That's useful information for a Brit terminally baffled by the US postal system, thanks!

I started off mainly with 6x8, but have recently settled into 5x7 (even though they cost the same at the supermarket where I get them printed). I think that they seem a tidier shape, but have little idea why this should be. Possibly because 6x8 is so close to A5 that the dimensions seem a bit officey.

Starting with the photo and fiddling with it in an editing program I increasingly often find that the size, quality and shape of the picture suggests the dimensions it would prefer to end up in. I would have no qualms about cutting it into the shape of a duck if it would yield a better result.

In regards to other poster, It may be within 1/8th inch, that's because 1/8th inch bigger is A5 size, which is a perfectly normal size (Yet the american system just HAS to be different doesn't it..)

In regards to Stan, don't worry, so long as you include your own SASE A5 envelope, it'll come back fine.

[dfreely]

A5 as I understand it is actually smaller than a 6x8, at about 5.8". It's corresponding envelope size (C5) is about 6.4", which would make it too big to be letter sized. Still, if you found the right envelope for the SASE, 6x8s could certainly be worthwhile if you're mailing from the UK where the letter size guidelines aren't as confining. For Americans though, it just isn't a good size to work with for the various reasons I mentioned earlier.

[TheBritishBloke]

A5 as I understand it is actually smaller than a 6x8, at about 5.8". It's corresponding envelope size (C5) is about 6.4", which would make it too big to be letter sized. Still, if you found the right envelope for the SASE, 6x8s could certainly be worthwhile if you're mailing from the UK where the letter size guidelines aren't as confining. For Americans though, it just isn't a good size to work with for the various reasons I mentioned earlier.

Ah ok, didn't know the limits in the US then.. I think it's rather ridiculous you can only use an envelope under 6 1/8"... IS there even an envelope that size?...

Sorry.

[RobertaRight]

Most often I send 4x6 due to costs and storage preferences.

However, it does not leave much space for personalization so best of all are *for me* 5x7s.

I dislike everything bigger than that, and I would never send something like an 8x10 or bigger. However, if the celeb sends it, I am of course not complaining.

So, 5x7s are the best looking in my opinion, but mostly I send 4x6s