TLDR
The best art print sizes for selling online are usually 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 12×16, 16×20, and 18×24 inches.
For most artists, the best starter lineup is simple: offer 8×10, 11×14, and 16×20. These sizes feel familiar to buyers, are easier to frame, and are practical to ship. Add 5×7 if you want a lower-priced option, and add 18×24 if your artwork works well as a poster.
Do not offer every size at once. Pick sizes that match your artwork’s aspect ratio, fit common frames, and make sense for your packaging and profit margin.
Choosing Sizes Is Part of Selling the Art
The best art print sizes for selling online are not always the largest sizes or the most impressive-looking mockups.
They are the sizes people can understand quickly, frame easily, afford comfortably, and receive without shipping damage. That is the part many new artists miss. The print size is not just a design choice. It affects pricing, packaging, shipping, listing photos, storage, framing, and how confident a buyer feels before checking out.
A beautiful print in an awkward size can be harder to sell because the buyer has to solve more problems. Where do I put it? What frame fits this? Will it cost a lot to ship? Will it arrive flat or rolled? Is this too small for the wall?
A familiar size removes friction. That matters online, where the buyer cannot hold the print in person.
Best Art Print Sizes for Selling Online
For most artists, these are the best art print sizes to consider:
| Print Size | Best For | Why It Sells Well |
|---|---|---|
| 5×7 | Small prints, gifts, bundles, markets | Low price point and easy to ship |
| 8×10 | Starter prints, portraits, small wall art | Very frame-friendly and familiar |
| 11×14 | Mid-size art prints | Feels more substantial without being hard to ship |
| 12×16 | Modern wall art, vertical designs | Clean 3:4 ratio and good wall presence |
| 12×18 | Photography, posters, landscapes | Works well for 2:3 artwork |
| 16×20 | Premium standard prints | Strong wall presence and common framing options |
| 18×24 | Posters, bold artwork, larger decor | Good for statement pieces and higher pricing |
| 24×36 | Large posters, POD, premium wall art | Best when you use print-on-demand or sturdy tube shipping |
If you are just starting, do not launch with all of these. Start with three sizes. It keeps your shop cleaner and your production process easier.
A good first lineup:
5×7 for a small affordable option
8×10 for the main entry-level print
11×14 or 16×20 for the larger upgrade
A stronger ecommerce lineup:
8×10
11×14
16×20
This gives customers a clear small, medium, and large choice without making the listing feel crowded.
Why 8×10 Is Usually the Safest Starter Size
If you only choose one size, start with 8×10.
It is one of the most familiar print sizes for buyers. It fits common frames, looks good on desks and gallery walls, and can be shipped flat without too much trouble. It is large enough to feel like a real art print, but not so large that the price feels intimidating.
8×10 works especially well for:
Character art
Pet portraits
Botanical prints
Quotes and typography
Small illustrations
Kitchen art
Nursery prints
Fan-inspired original art
Mini collections
The tradeoff is aspect ratio. An 8×10 print uses a 4:5 ratio. If your artwork was created in a 2:3 ratio, like 12×18 or 16×24, cropping it to 8×10 can cut off important details. Do not force every design into 8×10 if the composition does not fit.
The size should support the art, not fight it.
Use Aspect Ratios Before Exact Sizes
This is where print sizing gets easier.
Instead of thinking only in inches, think in aspect ratios. The aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height. If two sizes share the same ratio, the same artwork can scale between them without cropping.
Common art print ratios include:
4:5 ratio: 8×10, 12×15, 16×20
11:14 ratio: 11×14
3:4 ratio: 9×12, 12×16, 18×24
2:3 ratio: 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30, 24×36
1:1 ratio: 8×8, 10×10, 12×12, 16×16
ISO / A sizes: A5, A4, A3, A2
If your artwork is tall and narrow, a 2:3 ratio may feel natural. If it is more balanced and portrait-like, 4:5 may work better. If it is square, do not crop it into a rectangle just because rectangular sizes are common. Sell it as a square print.
For digital art sellers, ratio planning matters even more. A digital download listing often includes several ratio files so buyers can print the art in different sizes. For physical print sellers, you can keep things simpler and offer only the sizes that preserve the artwork cleanly.
Best Sizes by Type of Art
Different art styles sell better in different sizes.
Small illustrations often work well at 5×7 or 8×10. They feel personal and giftable. They also work nicely for markets, bundles, and affordable shop listings.
Detailed digital paintings usually need more space. 11×14, 12×16, or 16×20 gives the buyer a better sense of the work.
Photography often works well in 2:3 sizes like 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, and 24×36. This ratio preserves many camera compositions without heavy cropping.
Typography prints usually do well in 8×10, 11×14, and 16×20. The key is readability. If the words are the product, the buyer needs to see them clearly in the mockup and on the wall.
Poster-style artwork works best at 12×18, 18×24, or 24×36. These sizes feel more like decor pieces and can support higher pricing.
Square artwork should stay square. Use 8×8, 10×10, 12×12, or 16×16 instead of forcing it into a rectangular frame.
Small Prints: 5×7 and 8×10
Small prints are great for artists who want an accessible price point.
A 5×7 print is easy to ship, easy to bundle, and easy to sell at markets. It can also work as an add-on item when someone is not ready to buy a larger piece. The downside is that 5×7 can feel small online unless the mockup shows scale clearly.
An 8×10 print feels more complete. It is still affordable, but it reads more like wall art. This is usually the better “main small size” for online selling.
Small prints are best for:
First-time buyers
Gift orders
Low-cost listings
Art markets
Bundles
Mini collections
Collectors who want several pieces
If your shop is new, small prints help people try your work without making a large commitment.
Medium Prints: 11×14 and 12×16
Medium prints are often the best balance between price and presence.
An 11×14 print feels more substantial than 8×10, but it is still manageable to ship flat. It also works well for buyers who want something that feels gift-worthy but not too expensive.
A 12×16 print is a strong modern size. It gives artwork a clean shape and works especially well for vertical wall art, illustrated scenes, and graphic designs.
Medium sizes are good for:
Best-selling designs
Giftable art
Bedroom or office decor
Gallery walls
Limited drops
Artist shops with repeat buyers
This is where your pricing can start to improve. You are selling something that feels more valuable, but you are not yet dealing with the same packaging issues as large poster sizes.
Large Prints: 16×20, 18×24, and 24×36
Large prints should be treated more carefully.
A 16×20 print is a strong upgrade size. It feels premium, fits many home decor situations, and still has common framing support. It is often the best large size for artists who want to keep shipping under control.
An 18×24 print works well for poster-style art. It gives the design more visual impact and can support a higher price. This size is great for bold illustrations, music-inspired art, sports art, gaming art, maps, and statement pieces.
A 24×36 print is a true poster size. It can sell well, but it is not always the best inventory size for a beginner. It usually needs stronger packaging, more storage space, and more careful shipping. If you sell 24×36 prints, print-on-demand may be easier than keeping inventory.
Large prints are best for:
Posters
High-detail art
Statement wall decor
Limited editions
Print-on-demand listings
Premium shop options
Do not add large prints just because they look impressive in mockups. Add them when the artwork benefits from scale and the shipping math still works.
Physical Prints vs. Digital Downloads
Physical prints and digital downloads need different size strategies.
For physical prints, fewer sizes are better. You need to store, package, ship, and replace anything that arrives damaged. A simple lineup keeps the business manageable.
For digital downloads, buyers often expect multiple ratio files. They want flexibility because they may print at home, use a local print shop, or upload the file to an online printing service. A digital download listing might include 2:3, 3:4, 4:5, 11:14, and square files.
But do not confuse flexibility with clarity. Too many file names and size charts can overwhelm buyers. Make your listing simple. Explain what sizes are included and show a clear size guide image.
For physical art prints, a clean three-size system is usually better:
Small: 8×10
Medium: 11×14
Large: 16×20
That is enough for most shops.
Shipping Should Influence Your Size Choices
Shipping is one of the least glamorous parts of selling art prints. It is also one of the most important.
Smaller prints can often ship flat in rigid mailers with backing boards. This is usually easier for buyers because the print arrives ready to frame and does not need to be flattened.
Larger prints may need to ship in tubes or larger flat mailers. Tubes protect large prints well, but some buyers dislike curled prints. Large flat mailers can look more premium, but they cost more and are more vulnerable to bending if not packed correctly.
This is why 8×10, 11×14, and 16×20 are such practical sizes. They give you room to sell real wall art without creating a packaging problem too early.
As your shop grows, you can test larger sizes. But do not build your first print lineup around sizes that make fulfillment harder than the sale is worth.
How to Price Different Art Print Sizes
Pricing depends on your paper, printing method, packaging, platform fees, shipping, time, and audience. There is no single correct number.
But the structure matters.
Your larger sizes should not just be “a little more” than your small sizes. Bigger prints cost more to produce, pack, and ship. They also carry more visual value for the buyer.
A simple pricing ladder might look like this:
5×7: entry-level print
8×10: standard print
11×14: upgraded print
16×20: premium print
18×24: poster or statement print
Avoid pricing so tightly that buyers always choose the largest print because it feels like a bargain. That can hurt your margins. Each size should make sense on its own.
Also remember packaging. A larger print may need a larger sleeve, backing board, mailer, label, and more careful handling. Price for the whole order, not just the paper.
Use Stickers and Small Add-Ons to Increase Order Value
Art prints do not have to sell alone.
Small add-ons can make an order feel more finished and help raise the average order value. Stickers are especially useful because they are easy to bundle with prints, include as freebies, or sell as matching merch.
For example, an artist could sell:
An 8×10 print with a matching sticker
A print bundle with one free logo sticker
A sticker sheet based on the same illustration series
A limited print drop with a numbered packaging sticker
A thank-you card sealed with a branded sticker
CustomStickers.com is a useful partner for this part of the business. You can order custom vinyl stickers for branded freebies, logo stickers, or matching artwork. If you want several small designs on one sheet, custom sticker sheets can work well for artist merch, convention tables, and online shop bundles.
This does not replace art prints. It supports them. A good sticker can make the package feel more memorable without adding much weight or complexity.
The Best Starter Size Lineups
Here are a few practical size lineups depending on the type of shop.
For a new artist shop:
5×7
8×10
11×14
This keeps costs low and shipping simple.
For a more polished online store:
8×10
11×14
16×20
This feels more like a real wall art collection.
For poster-style art:
12×18
18×24
24×36
This works best for bold designs and print-on-demand.
For photography:
8×12
12×18
16×24
These preserve a common 2:3 photo ratio.
For square artwork:
8×8
12×12
16×16
This keeps the composition intact.
For international buyers:
A5
A4
A3
A sizes are more familiar outside the U.S. and may be useful if your audience is global.
The best lineup is the one that fits your art, your buyers, and your shipping process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is offering too many sizes.
More options can feel helpful, but they often make the listing harder to understand. Buyers may pause because they are not sure which size to choose. That pause can cost you the sale.
Other common mistakes include:
Cropping artwork badly to fit popular sizes
Ignoring frame availability
Using mockups that make small prints look huge
Not showing a size comparison image
Selling large prints before solving packaging
Pricing large prints too low
Forgetting platform fees and shipping supplies
Using low-resolution files for larger sizes
Offering every size in every design
Changing size systems across listings
The cleaner your size strategy, the easier your shop becomes to run.
Conclusion
The best art print sizes for selling online are the sizes that make buying easy.
Start with familiar, frame-friendly sizes like 8×10, 11×14, and 16×20. Add 5×7 if you want a low-cost option. Add 18×24 or 24×36 only when the artwork, packaging, and profit margin support it.
Think in aspect ratios before you think in inches. Keep your lineup small. Show scale clearly in your listings. And when you want to make your print orders feel more complete, add simple branded stickers or matching sticker sheets through CustomStickers.com.
Good size choices make your art easier to buy, easier to frame, and easier to ship. That is what helps turn a nice print into a product people feel confident ordering.
FAQs
What Is the Best Art Print Size to Sell Online?
The best art print size to sell online is usually 8×10. It is familiar, frame-friendly, easy to ship, and affordable for buyers. For a fuller lineup, add 11×14 and 16×20.
Should I Offer 5×7 Art Prints?
Yes, 5×7 prints are good for low-cost products, giftable art, market tables, and bundles. They are easy to ship, but they may feel too small for main wall art listings unless shown clearly in mockups.
Are 11×14 Prints Popular?
Yes, 11×14 is a strong medium size for art prints. It feels more substantial than 8×10 but is still manageable to package and ship.
What Size Is Best for Poster Art?
For poster-style artwork, 18×24 is one of the best sizes. It feels large enough for wall decor without being as difficult to manage as 24×36.
How Many Print Sizes Should I Offer?
Most artists should offer three sizes per design. A small, medium, and large option gives buyers enough choice without making the listing confusing.
Should I Sell Physical Prints or Digital Downloads?
Sell physical prints if you want more control over paper, packaging, and customer experience. Sell digital downloads if you want lower fulfillment work and buyers who can print the files themselves. Some artists offer both.
