Digitalsilverimaging

The Fine Art of Printing in a Digital World

Search Results for: aspect ratio

Aspect Ratio & Print Size

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Aspect ration versus print size is an important issue to understand when printing your photographs. When digital cameras appeared on the scene they were designed to mimic the look and operation of analog cameras. Even today’s digital cameras have sensor sizes based on traditional analog film formats.

Why does aspect ratio matter when printing?

It matters because aspect ratio, the proportion of your camera’s sensor length vs. width, determines how your image fits on a piece of printing paper. If you choose a print size that does not match the aspect ratio of your camera image, then you will need to crop your image to fit on the print. Use the chart below to give you an Idea of the print size that matches your camera’s sensor or film size.

 

Aspect Ratio Versus Print Size

by

Aspect ration versus print size is an important issue to understand when printing your photographs. When digital cameras appeared on the scene they were designed to mimic the look and operation of analog cameras. Even today’s DSLR cameras have sensor sizes based on traditional analog film formats.

Why does aspect ratio matter when printing?

It matters because aspect ratio, the proportion of your camera’s sensor length vs. width, determines how your image fits on a piece of printing paper. If you choose a print size that does not match the aspect ratio of your camera image, then you will need to crop your image to fit on the print. Use the chart below to give you an Idea of the print size that matches your camera’s sensor or film size.

 

 

Framing Options

Frames for Every Application and Budget

At Digital Silver Imaging, we believe the best frame complements your image without stealing the show. This philosophy guides our curated selection—from handcrafted custom wood frames to modern print hangers—each designed to be classic, functional, and beautifully crafted.

Whether you need museum-quality framing or budget-friendly minimal presentation, DSI has the solution. We’ve created professional displays for major museum exhibitions, commercial galleries, pop-up shows, and residential installations—from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to your living room.

DSI specializes in solving unique presentation challenges including complicated window mat configurations, multi-image compositions, and mixed-media displays. Our team loves a challenge—contact us to discuss your specific framing needs.

When budget or timeline matters, our Value Frames deliver quality framing at accessible prices

Value Frames

When budget or timeline matters, our Value Frames deliver quality framing at accessible prices. Available in wood or metal (Nielsen) from 8×8 through 30×40, these made-to-order frames feature classic designs, professional assembly, hanging hardware included. Image – J. Sybylla Smith

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Our handcrafted custom wood frames are built in the Boston area using traditional joinery techniques and finest hardwoods including maple, walnut, and cherry.

Custom Wood Frames

Our handcrafted custom wood frames are built in the Boston area using traditional joinery techniques and finest hardwoods including maple, walnut, and cherry. These museum-quality frames feature beautiful construction with stout stretcher bars and perfect joinery. Image – Lisa Cueman Photography

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Custom-made in New England, our welded aluminum frames feature seamless corners that won’t separate or gap

Welded Aluminum Frames

Custom-made in New England, our welded aluminum frames feature seamless corners that won’t separate or gap—a sleek, classic look favored by museums and discerning artists. Available in 9 profiles with polished or brushed finishes, plus 18 powder-coated color options. Images – Michael “Nick” Nichols, Philadelphia Museum of Art

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Wood hangers feature magnetic systems for effortless print swapping in multiple finishes;
DSI aluminum hangers offer single-nail hanging with invisible clips. Sizes from 12” to 72” wide.

Print Hangers

DSI Print Hangers provide a modern alternative to traditional framing. Wood hangers feature magnetic systems for effortless print swapping in multiple finishes; aluminum hangers offer single-nail hanging with invisible clips. Sizes from 12” to 72” wide.
Images – Wood Print Hanger, Phillip Toledano | Aluminum Print Hanger, Herb Greene

Wooden Hangers Aluminum Hangers
Elizabeth Clark Libert’s Exhibition “Boy Crazy”

Who Can Print, Frame, Ship, and Install My Exhibition?

Digital Silver Imaging handles your complete exhibition from start to finish. Whether you need a handful of prints or an entire gallery installation, we collaborate with you at every step.

Need specialized mounting? We offer DIBOND, Aluminum, Gator Board, Aluma Mounts, and face mounting to acrylic.

DSI ships exhibitions worldwide. We’ve delivered to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Chicago Art Institute, Paris Photo, and museums internationally. Your work arrives safely and on time.

For projects of 10 pieces or more, we offer a 10% discount on printing and framing services. Installation coordination is also available. Contact us to discuss your exhibition. We’re here to help bring your vision to life. Image – Elizabeth Clark Libert’s Exhibition “Boy Crazy”

Framing FAQs

If you know where your framed photograph will hang, measure the space before deciding on frame size. Frame size depends on your print dimensions, whether a mat will be used, and the camera’s aspect ratio – contact us to discuss the best size for your specific image.

Mats provide visual breathing room and archival protection for your photograph, typical mat widths are between 2.5 to 4 inches using our 100% cotton rag mat board. White mats have a universal appeal and are preferred if not required by galleries and museums.

UV Conservation Clear Acrylic is our standard glazing because it’s lighter than glass, blocks 97% of harmful UV rays, and won’t shatter, while glass is available for local pick up only. Acrylic is also lighter and if it happens to break it tends not to shatter and damage your print.

We believe that a frame should complement an image, not steal the show – our staff is happy to assist in selecting the frame that will highlight your artwork and convey your visual aesthetic. Pick your frame style with location in mind, matching location style and color is a good rule to follow.

DSI uses archival materials including 100% cotton rag mat board, acid-free backing, and UV-blocking glazing that blocks 97% of UV energy to protect against fading and yellowing. Select fine art papers for your print as they have the longest archival life.

Glossary of terms used on this site

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DSI Digital Silver Prints® Fiber

DSI Digital Silver Prints® Fiber are premium black and white prints on double weight silver gelatin Ilford fiber base photo paper (310gsm). Exposed with light from digital files, processed in photographic chemistry, archivally washed, air dried, and flattened. Features baryta coating on an archival alpha cellulose base and superior silver content for exceptional tonal range and archival permanence.

DSI Digital Silver Prints® RC

DSI Digital Silver Prints® RC are Black and white prints on Ilford RC (Resin Coated) Pearl surface paper (190gsm). Medium weight paper with neutral to cool image tone. Processed in liquid chemistry to archival standards. Lays perfectly flat with beautiful neutral black, white, and gray tones.

Silver Gelatin Printing

Traditional photographic printing method using light-sensitive silver halide crystals in an emulsion on paper. When exposed to light and chemically processed, creates a permanent black and white image composed of metallic silver particles. Silver gelatin prints are known for exceptional archival permanence and continuous tone quality.

Giclée Printing

French term meaning “splash” or “squirt.” Giclée commonly refers to high-quality inkjet printing process using archival pigment inks on fine art papers. Used interchangeably with “inkjet printing” or “fine art inkjet printing.” DSI produces museum quality giclée prints up to 60 inches wide.

Museum Quality Prints

Professional-grade prints meeting the highest standards for color accuracy, archival permanence, and presentation. Produced using calibrated equipment, archival materials, and skilled craftsmanship suitable for gallery exhibitions, museum collections, and fine art portfolios.

Archival Printing

Printing process using materials and methods designed for maximum longevity and image stability. Includes acid-free papers, lightfast pigment inks or stable silver gelatin processes, proper chemical processing, and archival washing techniques.

… [Read the Rest]

Ask the Experts Webinar – Inkjet Printing

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In this hour long FREE webinar the experts at Digital Silver Imaging will answer your questions about inkjet printing. This webinar is for anyone who wants to make fine art inkjet/giclée prints with a lab or on their own inkjet printer. During this open Q&A webinar we will be available to answer your questions about printing paper, inkjet printers, archival issues, monitors, calibration, presentation considerations and anything else inkjet print related.

Special – 25% Off + Free Shipping on your Direct-to-Print Print Order
First 25 customers only! Offer expires this Sunday 10/13/24
When ordering use promo code: ATE25
ORDER NOW

Direct-to-Print orders only, discount on prints only, does not apply to Custom Print orders. Free shipping in the continental US only.

 

Watch the 10/10/24 Webinar

 

Resources

Print Sample Promotion (Try 3 papers or our 2 DSI Digital Silver Print® papers)

The Making of a DSI Digital Silver Print® (True silver gelatin B&W print)

UV Protective Spray

Monitor settings (standard photo industry settings): D65 / 100-120 Candelas / Gamma 2.2 (If you are printing with DSI we recommend 100 Candelas)

Monitor Calibration Webinar

Calibrite Monitor Calibration Device – Display 123     Calibrite Monitor Calibration Device – Display SL

Choosing the Right Paper Webinar

Aspect Ratio vs Print Size

Direct-to-Print Ordering Tutorial

Print Permanence Chart (Photo Prints Compared) How Long will My Prints Last

Freestyle – Custom Profiles

Super Resolution in Adobe Photoshop

Nik Software

“Print Your Sh&t” T-Shirt

Direct-to-Print Service

Direct-to-Print service gives you museum quality inkjet and true black & white DSI Digital Silver Prints® at a discount price. Direct-to-Print service cost less because you select the print size, make the cropping adjustment all online. We use the same meticulously calibrated and maintained inkjet (giclée) and silver gelatin print equipment as our Custom Printing services.

  • Free Shipping on orders over $125 (not valid on print orders with mounting, matting or framing)
  • Value Print service requires JPEG/JPG files (no .psd, .png, tiff).
  • Crop your images to the correct aspect ratio before uploading your photo.
  • Prints up to 11×14 ship 1st Class USPS. – Upgrade to Priority Mail or UPS Ground
  • Prints over 11×14 ship UPS Ground Standard
  •  Inkjet prints ship 3-5 days (unless multiple paper types selected)
  • DSI Digital Silver Prints® ship 5-7 days

For help exporting your files from Adobe Lightroom follow this link. We recommend that when converting color files to black & white that you preserve the RGB layers. Conversions can be made in Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. We also highly recommend the Nik Silver Efex (part of the DXO Nik Collection) software application for converting images to b&w. Crop your images to the correct aspect ratio before uploading. For optimal results, ensure your monitor is accurately calibrated, as we do not reprint or adjust Direct-to-Print orders. If it’s your first time printing with us, we suggest starting with a Print Sample Promotion.

 

Print Sample Promotion Box

 

How to order “Prints Only”

For a how-to on using all of the features on our Direct-to-Print application watch our webinar.

DIRECT TO PRINT5x78X108X1210X1011X1412X1816X1616X2016X2420X2420X3024X3630x4040x60
B&W DSI Digital Silver Print® Fiber Gloss$55$55$66$68$105$146$154$178$214$267$333See CustomSee CustomSee Custom
B&W Fiber 2nd Copy$49.50$49.50$59.40$61.20$94.50$132.30$134.10$167.40$214$251.10$313.30
B&W DSI Digital Silver Print® RC Pearl
$32$32$38$39$61$85$90$112$135$168$210$303$360$720
B&W RC 2nd Copy$28.80$28.80$34.20$35.10$54.90$76.50$81$100.80$121.50$151.20$189$272.70$280.80$561.80
Pigment Photo Inkjet Papers$22$22$26$27$42$59$64$74$89$111$138$199$216$432
Pigment Photo 2nd Copy$19.80$19.80$23.40$24.30$37.80$53.10$57.60$66.60$80.10$99.90$124.20$179.10$194.40$388.80
Pigment Fine Art Papers$28$28$33$34$53$74$80$93$112$140$174$251$264$528
Pigment Fine Art 2nd Copy$25.20$25.20$29.70$30.60$47.70$66.60$72$83.70$100.80$126$156.60$225.90$237.60$475.20