The two sizes at a glance
| 8 x 10 in | 12 x 16 in |
|---|
| Picture size | 8 x 10 in | 12 x 16 in |
| With the mat | about 10 x 12 in | about 14 x 18 in |
| Price | $69 | $99 |
| Best for | Desks, shelves, nightstands, small walls, gallery walls | Above a sofa or bed, hallways, fireplaces, a wall on its own |
| Viewed from | Arm's length to a few steps | Across a room |
The outside of the frame adds a little under an inch on each side beyond the mat. Both sizes hang in portrait orientation, taller than wide, with the hanging hardware already installed. The portrait art is included in the price, and shipping is free.
How to decide
Think about distance. A portrait you see from your desk chair or your bed should be smaller. A portrait you see from the sofa across the room, or as you walk down a hallway, needs the larger size to read clearly.
Think about the wall. On a wide empty wall, a single 8 x 10 in frame can look lost. The usual rule for art above furniture is that it should span roughly half to two thirds of the furniture's width. A single 12 x 16 in frame works above a small sofa, console or bed; above a large sofa, pair it with other frames.
Think about the style. Bold styles, like Royal with its dark background or Pop Art with its bright color, hold a room at the larger size. Gentle styles, like Watercolor, can feel more intimate at 8 x 10 in. Our Royal style guide shows why that style suits a big wall.
Think about a gift. If the portrait is a gift, 8 x 10 in is the safer choice. It fits on a shelf or desk, so the person does not need a free wall. Our Christmas gift guide covers timing too.
A framed portrait of Biscuit the French bulldog on a shelf
A framed portrait of Goldie the golden retriever on a living room wall
A framed portrait of Milo the cat being unwrapped as a giftFrame colors
| Frame | Feels | Pairs well with |
|---|
| Black | Classic, gallery like | Royal, light coats, white or gray walls |
| White | Clean, modern | Pop Art, Watercolor, pale walls |
| Natural wood | Warm, relaxed | Watercolor, Storybook, wood floors and furniture |
A simple test: hold a black, white or wooden object up next to the spot on the wall where the portrait will hang. Whichever one disappears into the room the least, without clashing, is usually right.
The mat and the paper
Every portrait has a one inch white mat between the art and the frame. The mat gives the art breathing room, keeps it off the acrylic, and makes even a small portrait look finished. The portrait is printed on archival fine art matte paper, and the front is lightweight, shatter resistant acrylic rather than glass, which makes it safer in homes with kids and pets and lighter on the wall.
Hanging tips
- Height: the usual gallery rule puts the center of the art about 57 to 60 in from the floor. Above furniture, leave 6 to 10 in between the furniture and the bottom of the frame.
- Light: keep it out of strong direct sun so the colors stay bright, and away from steamy spots like over a shower.
- Gallery walls: the 8 x 10 in size mixes well with family photos. Keep the gaps between frames even, about 2 to 3 in.
- Shelves and desks: lean the frame against the wall at the back of the shelf. The 8 x 10 in size is the easier one to lean.
Getting the best print at either size
Both sizes start from the same portrait, so the photo you upload matters more than the size you choose. A sharp, well lit photo with the face in focus looks great at 12 x 16 in. Our guide to the best photo for a pet portrait covers what to look for.
Updated October 8, 2026