The Ultimate Guide to 17x24 Inch Poster Frames: Sizing, Sourcing, and Styling

Finding the perfect frame for a cherished poster, a valuable print, or your child's award-winning artwork can feel like a final, crucial step in the presentation process. You've found the perfect piece, but now it needs a home that complements its style and protects it for years to come. Among the many standard sizes available, the 17x24 inch dimension is a popular and versatile choice, yet it can sometimes be a source of confusion. This comprehensive guide is designed to demystify the 17 by 24 inch frame, offering clear information on its dimensions, common uses, and how to select the ideal one for your needs.

Just How Big Is a 17x24 Inch Frame?

Let's start with the most fundamental question: what are the actual dimensions of a 17x24 frame? A frame advertised as 17x24 inches is built to hold a piece of paper or poster that is precisely 17 inches tall and 24 inches wide. This creates a rectangular format with a landscape orientation, meaning it is wider than it is tall. To help visualize this, it is useful to compare it to the more universally recognized A2 paper size, which is approximately 16.5 x 23.4 inches. A 17x24 inch frame is just a touch larger in both dimensions, making it a common solution for custom or slightly oversized A2 prints. In centimeters, the dimensions translate to approximately 43cm by 61cm.

It is important to understand a key distinction in frame sizing. The internal dimensions, where your artwork sits, are 17x24 inches. The external dimensions of the frame—meaning its total outer width and height—will be slightly larger, depending on the width of the frame's moulding (the material that makes up the sides). A slim, modern frame might add only half an inch to the overall size, while a large, ornate, gallery-style frame could add two or three inches per side.

Common Uses for a 17x24 Inch Poster Frame

This specific size is not an arbitrary one; it has become a standard for several types of artwork and displays. Knowing what typically fits this frame can help you determine if it's the right choice for your project.

• Movie Posters: While the classic one-sheet movie poster is 27x40 inches, many alternative poster styles, international releases, and special edition prints are produced in the 17x24 format. It's a popular size for posters sold at comic-cons and art fairs.

• Architectural and Design Prints: For architects, interior designers, and students, 17x24 is a practical size for presenting scaled drawings, concept art, and interior design boards without the overwhelming presence of a full-sized blueprint.

• Fine Art Reproductions: Many art publishers use this size for high-quality reproductions of paintings and photographs. It offers a substantial presence on the wall without requiring a massive amount of space, making it ideal for gallery walls in residential settings.

• Personalized Maps and Charts: Whether it's a vintage-style map of a favorite city or a genealogical chart, this dimension provides ample space for detail while remaining manageable to frame and hang.

• Certificates and Diplomas: Certain professional certifications, awards, and academic diplomas from specific institutions are issued in this size, requiring a frame that offers a dignified presentation.

Selecting the Right Frame for Your 17x24 Artwork

Not all 17x24 frames are created equal. The best choice for you will depend on where the artwork will be displayed and the aesthetic you wish to achieve.

Material and Style Choices

Frames are available in a variety of materials, each imparting a different feel. Wood frames, whether stained, painted, or natural, offer a classic, warm look and are incredibly durable. Metal frames, typically aluminum, provide a sleek, modern, and minimalist profile. They are often lighter in weight and are a great choice for a contemporary office or home. Plastic or composite frames are a budget-friendly option and can mimic the look of wood or metal, though they may not offer the same level of long-term durability.

Consider the Glazing

Glazing refers to the clear front cover of the frame, and this is a critical component for both protection and appearance. Your main options are glass and acrylic (also known as plexiglass).

Traditional glass is scratch-resistant and provides a crystal-clear view. However, it is heavy and can pose a safety risk if broken, making it less ideal for children's rooms or high-traffic areas. Non-glare glass is an option that diffuses light to reduce reflections, which is excellent for pieces that will be hung opposite windows or under bright lights.

Acrylic is much lighter and shatter-resistant, a much safer alternative for families or for shipping artwork. The downside is that it scratches more easily than glass. Many acrylic options also come with a coating to protect against UV rays, which helps prevent your artwork from fading over time. For a valuable piece of art, investing in UV-protective glazing is one of the most important steps you can take for its preservation.

To Mat or Not to Mat?

A mat is a cardboard border that sits between the artwork and the glass. While a 17x24 frame is designed to hold a 17x24 inch print, you can use a mat to display a smaller piece of art within this size frame. Mats serve several purposes: they prevent the art from sticking to the glass, they provide a visual border that can help focus the eye, and they can enhance the colors in the artwork. If you choose to use a mat, you will need a larger frame. For example, to mat an 11x14 print, you would need a 17x24 frame to accommodate both the art and the mat border.

A Personal Framing Experience

I recently acquired a beautiful screen-printed concert poster from a favorite band's tour. The print was a limited edition on high-quality paper, and I knew it deserved more than just being tacked to the wall. Its dimensions were a slightly uncommon 17x24 inches. My first instinct was to search online, which led me through the maze of terms like 'picture frame 24 x 17' and '17x24 inch poster frame.' I found that many big-box stores didn't carry this exact size in their physical locations, but several specialty online retailers did.

I opted for a simple, black aluminum frame with UV-protective acrylic. The metal frame provided the clean, modern look I wanted for my home office, and the acrylic was a conscious choice because the room gets a lot of sunlight, and I was concerned about both fading and the weight of glass. The frame arrived well-packaged, and the assembly was straightforward. Seeing that vibrant poster securely housed, without any glare obscuring the details, completely transformed it from a simple print into a polished piece of decor. The process taught me the value of matching the frame not just to the art's size, but to its environment and long-term preservation needs.

Final Thoughts on Your Framing Project

A 17 by 24 poster frame is more than just a border; it is the finishing touch that protects your investment and elevates your display. By understanding the true size, the common uses, and the key features like glazing and materials, you can make an informed decision that you will be happy with for years to come. Whether you are framing a treasured memory, a piece of popular culture, or a professional document, taking the time to choose the right frame ensures your 17x24 inch piece is presented in the best possible light.