Where did 13x19 come from?

[Paul Metcalf]

Well, I need to add to my print storage capability, and nothing but frustration so far. A long time ago I standardized my contact printing on 13"x15" matboards (prints <= 8x10), and I'd like/prefer to keep it at that. The mounting is no issue, I can cut the mats and overmats as needed. The issue is box storage as well as sleeve storage. Nothing in that size at all anymore, the closest for boxes is 14x18, and for sleeves it's 13x19 (and also the most prevalent for boxes next to 16x20). Which makes me wonder, where in the fugawee did 13x19 come from? I'm guessing digital prints. Great.

[invisibleflash]

Don't know, but I prefer 8 x 10 and 11 x 14. But 13 x 19 is a nice option than 16 x 20 if that is getting a little too big for you.

[Greg Miller]

My guess is 13" inkjet printer and 35mm format. If you have a file from a 35mm camera or DSLR, and want to print full bleed on a 13" inkjet printer, you end up with a 13x19 print.

[Jim Noel]

My guess is 13" inkjet printer and 35mm format. If you have a file from a 35mm camera or DSLR, and want to print full bleed on a 13" inkjet printer, you end up with a 13x19 print.

Good guess. By the way Paul, check Hollinger for box sizes. They have a wider selection than anyone else I know of.

[Sal Santamaura]

...check Hollinger for box sizes. They have a wider selection than anyone else I know of.

And are willing to make custom sizes with no minimum quantity at fairly reasonable prices.

[Amedeus]

I believe the 13" x 19" format to be a leftover from the time when inkjet printers didn't print "full-bleed".

One inch larger each side than 11" x 17" "standard" US paper size and 1/2" larger each side than a "digital" 12" x 18".

Leaves just enough room for print handling without damaging the image area ...

YMMV

Rudi

[N Dhananjay]

I think 13" x 15" is what Michael Smith and Pauala Chamlee use - if you visit their website, I believe you will find links to order boxes in that dimension to store matted prints. If you're looking for negative sleeves, I like their 1 ply micro chamber negative folds - you can scribble printing notes (dodge burn times etc.) on them. Cheers, DJ

[Paul Metcalf]

Thanks DJ - All the reasons Michael and Paula use (or maybe used) the 13"x15" mounted print size are the same reasons I do/did (and their influence on my decision to go that size was quite significant). I haven't connected with Michael or Paula in a few years, but I am aware of their materials on the website (I've been a long time Azo proponent which of course that too is in its twilight). I simply cannot come to pay $45+ for one box while others, even much larger ones, are less than $20 per box. I assume this is because the 13x15 box is a custom order hence the significantly higher cost. The 13x19 size would be a very odd size for a mounted print in my book, hence my question because of its prevalence among box makers. I see that it would make sense for the manufacturers to produce a product that has a large following, that being mid-sized (maybe large-sized) digital prints, unmounted.

[bob carnie]

12 x18 is historically the right aspect ratio for 35 mm on a 16 x20 sheet of silver paper.

I believe the 13 x19 size was to allow for 12 x18 full frame digital prints.
I like the size .

My guess is 13" inkjet printer and 35mm format. If you have a file from a 35mm camera or DSLR, and want to print full bleed on a 13" inkjet printer, you end up with a 13x19 print.

[tgtaylor]

For 8x10 contact prints, I've standardized on 16x13 mat board. That allows me to get 6 boards from 1 32x40 board. I read where the f64 group exhibited using 17x14 mat board. I tried that and found that size will work for portrait oriented prints but appears too big for landscape orientation; 16x13 looks good either way.

Thomas