What Size Jack Vettriano Print Should You Buy? A Guide to Scale and Space

The right size of Jack Vettriano print depends on the wall, the room and how close you will stand to it. Small images of around 21 x 25 cm suit narrow walls, shelves and groupings, while larger prints of 50 cm or more across hold their own above a sofa, bed or fireplace. Always check whether a stated size is the image or the whole sheet, and allow for a mount and frame.

Image size, sheet size and framed size

When you look at a print listing, the measurements can mean different things. It is worth knowing the difference before you choose.

• Image size is the printed picture itself.

• Sheet or paper size includes the white border around the image.

• Mount size is the card window that sits between the print and the frame.

• Framed size is the finished piece on your wall, including mount and moulding.

A framed print is usually much larger than the image alone. A generous mount and a frame can easily add several centimetres on every side. So a print with a modest image can still make a confident statement once framed.

Many of our prints can be ordered framed. If you are unsure of the final dimensions, get in touch and we will help.

Small formats: intimate and versatile

Some Jack Vettriano editions are deliberately compact. They are ideal for hallways, studies, bedrooms and alcoves, or for anyone starting a collection with limited wall space.

• Lucky Seven has an image size of 25 x 21 cm, in an edition of 100 plus 10 Artist's Proofs.

• The Runaways measures 21 x 25 cm, in an edition of 175 plus 20 Artist's Proofs.

Small prints reward close viewing. Hang them where people naturally pause, such as beside a doorway or above a side table. Two small prints of similar size can also work well as a pair.

Medium formats: the everyday sweet spot

A good number of recent editions sit in the middle. Young Hearts has an image size of 39 x 30.7 cm on museum etching paper, and Narcissistic Bathers measures 38 x 31 cm.

Prints of this size are easy to place. Once framed, they suit most living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms without dominating the space.

Large formats: a focal point

If you have a big wall to fill, a larger image will have more presence.

• Exit Eden has an image size of 51.5 x 40.5 cm, in an edition of 175 plus 20 Artist's Proofs.

• Cocktails & Broken Hearts is a silkscreen measuring 70 x 56 cm, in an edition of 275.

These sizes work well as the main feature in a room, above a sofa, a bed or a fireplace.

Prints the same size as the original

A few editions go further still. The Letter is a giclée measuring 30 x 24 in, the same size as the original painting, in an edition of 50 plus 5 Artist's Proofs. Dancer For Money is also a giclée at 24 x 20 in, again the same size as the original.

Seeing a composition at the scale the artist painted it is a different experience from a smaller reproduction. These are best given a wall to themselves.

Simple rules of thumb for your wall

There is no single correct answer, but these widely used guidelines help:

• Hang at eye level. Aim for the centre of the picture to sit at roughly average eye height, usually around 145 to 155 cm from the floor.

• Relate it to the furniture. Above a sofa or sideboard, a picture that spans around half to two-thirds of the furniture's width usually looks balanced.

• Leave a gap. A space of around 15 to 25 cm between the bottom of the frame and the furniture below stops it looking cramped.

• Think about viewing distance. In a narrow corridor, a large image can feel overwhelming. In a big open room, a small one may get lost unless grouped.

• Group small prints. Two or three smaller works hung together can fill a wall as effectively as one large piece.

These are starting points rather than strict rules, so trust your eye.

Try before you buy with View On Your Wall

Measurements on a screen can be hard to picture. That is why the product pages for Young Hearts, Narcissistic Bathers and Exit Eden include our "View On Your Wall" tool. It lets you preview the print in your own room before you buy.

You can read how it works in our post on seeing Jack Vettriano prints on your wall. A low-tech alternative is to cut a sheet of paper or card to the framed size and tape it to the wall for a day or two.

Framing affects the final size

Your choice of mount and frame can change the finished size considerably. A wide mount gives a small image room to breathe and makes it feel more substantial. A slimmer mount keeps a large print from becoming unwieldy.

For advice on mount widths, glazing and conservation materials, see our guide to framing a limited edition print.

Frequently asked questions

Is the size on the product page the image or the framed size?

It varies by listing. Where we give an image size, that is the printed picture only. A mount and frame will add to it, so ask us if you need the finished dimensions.

What size Jack Vettriano print works above a sofa?

A larger image such as Exit Eden, at 51.5 x 40.5 cm, or Cocktails & Broken Hearts, at 70 x 56 cm, usually suits a sofa wall once framed. Aim for roughly half to two-thirds of the sofa's width.

Are small Vettriano prints less collectable?

Size is only one factor. Small editions such as Lucky Seven are limited editions in their own right, and many collectors value them for their intimacy.

How can I check a print will fit?

Use the View On Your Wall tool where available, or tape a paper template of the framed size to your wall.

Find the right fit

Browse our full range of limited edition Jack Vettriano prints and compare sizes across the collection. Every print comes with a certificate of authenticity, and we are happy to talk through sizes and framing before you order.