Cutting mats for panoramas

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rapalm

Grumbler in Training
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Jun 9, 2009
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Is there a rule of thumb for cutting borders on panorama size mats? I use a three inch mat border for my large 16x24 prints for a 22x30 frame. I have a couple of panoramas which I sized 8x24 for a 14x30 inch frame. However, the 3 inch mat doesn't look right to me after I got it in the frame. So I'm wondering if a 2 or 2 1/2 mat would be more appropriate for pans. I can resize the print, but have already got the frames. While I'm at it, for future reference, are there generally accepted dimensions for the prints and frames for panoramas? To be honest, I have just been stitchrd the prints and then cropped to a frame size I thought made sense....
Thanks
Ray
 
Some entirely subjective feedback

I'm not entirely sure there is a "most correct" answer to this.

I am a photographer and do a lot of 24x12 pans. About the only thing I can say is consistent is that I've found I like a 3/16" reveal that almost always includes a black core. I really resist the white "pin stripe" for some reason.

Final design measures are impacted by the color and face width of the moulding. Three different examples but all with the same 24x12 pan:
1. Black Face 1 3/8 moulding : 1 3/4 black visible top mat (about 27% wider than moulding)
2. Black Face 1 3/8 moulding : 2" white visible top mat (about 45% wider than moulding)
3. Brown with black edges 1 3/16 : 1 7/8 Light brown visible top mat (about 58% wider)

I've heard time after time by designers that 2" is the general rule, but my designer breaks that rule with pans all the time by "stretching" the left and right borders, particularly if the pan is a 3:1 or greater. Some customers love it - for others it is out of the comfort zone.

But if you look at my numbers, and I'm not saying they are the cat's meow, I'd at least look at about 1 1/2 times the face width and visually adjust to what you like best with the colors and art you are framing.
 
Thanks Kingston,
Your vertical dimension is a little higher than mine, but the idea should be about the same. I"m going to try the 2" and I use the same reveal anyways, and actually tend to lean towards black core myself. Pat, can you explain offending the short dimension?
 
"Offending the short dimension", a euphemism for having a mat width that would not esthetically go with the short dimension, namely too wide.
 
The wider the mat border, the more you are altering the basic aspect ratio. You are making it squarer in simple terms. As mentioned in previous answers, the design is largely dependant on personal taste. There are no hard-and-fasts rules. If it looks right, it is right. Sometimes it works to exaggerate the extreme proportions. Make the side margins wider than the top/bottom. I've done this on long, thin oriental type images that are based on wall hangings - albeit 'portrait' format. Say 3" at the side - 7" bottom and 5" top. Sounds weird but it works. But what works on one thing looks silly on another.
 
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