16×20 Photo Prints: Large Photo Printing

Some photos deserve a little more space. The family portrait where everyone’s laughing, the wedding photo you keep coming back to, or the vacation view you wish you could see every day can become a favorite part of your home. With Shutterfly 16×20 photo prints, you can bring those moments off your phone and onto your walls.

A 16×20 print gives your photo room to shine while fitting into plenty of spaces around the house. Choose matte or cardstock, add an optional message on the back, and find a spot where you’ll love seeing it. Here’s how to choose a photo and make the most of this popular print size.

How Big Is a 16×20 Photo Print?

A 16×20 photo print measures 16 inches by 20 inches. Displayed vertically, it’s 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. Turned horizontally, it’s 20 inches wide and 16 inches tall.

That gives you plenty of room to enjoy the expressions, scenery, and little details in your photo. It can stand on its own in a smaller space or become part of a larger gallery wall. Keep in mind that a frame, especially one with a mat, will make the finished display larger than the photo print itself.

Best Photos for 16×20 Photo Prints

The best photo for a 16×20 print is one you’ll be happy to see every day. A larger print draws attention to the people and details in your image, so choose a photo with a clear subject and a composition you love. Start with the original, highest-resolution version available to help preserve detail when it’s enlarged.

These photos are especially worth a closer look:

Family portraits: Give a favorite group photo a home in the living room, hallway, or entryway.
Wedding photos: Highlight a just-married portrait, a first dance, or a candid moment with your favorite people.
Travel photography: Bring a mountain view, beach sunset, or memorable city scene into your everyday surroundings.
Baby photos: Celebrate those tiny features with a portrait you can enjoy long after the newborn days.
Pet portraits: Let a beloved dog or cat take a starring role in your home décor.
Everyday memories: Make room for the backyard laughs, sibling hugs, and ordinary afternoons that mean the most.

Choose Matte or Cardstock for Your 16×20 Photo Print

When you create your 16×20 photo print, you have two paper options: matte and cardstock. Think about how you want your finished photo to look and feel, plus how you plan to display it. Here’s what you might love about each:

Matte: Prefer the look and feel of a traditional photo print? Matte photo paper has a low-sheen finish that lets your favorite faces and scenery shine without a glossy surface. It’s a lovely choice for a portrait you want to frame, and it’s available for in-store pickup at local CVS or Walgreens stores.
Cardstock: Love a print with a little more substance? Cardstock is thicker and sturdier than traditional photo paper, giving your image a substantial, paper-like feel. Choose it if you prefer a heavier print, especially for a photo you’re giving as a gift.

Add a Message to the Back of Your 16×20 Photo Print

The front captures the moment. A message on the back can help tell its story. Shutterfly offers optional back-of-print messaging with space for up to 30 characters.

Use that space for a name, a date, a location, or a few words that make you smile. For a gift, a short message adds a personal detail for the recipient to discover. For your own collection, it’s a way to remember exactly when or where a favorite photo was taken.

Keep your message short with wording like:

The Millers | 2026
Our First Home
Maui, June 2026
Married September 12, 2026
Love You, Grandma
Summer at the Lake

How to Frame a 16×20 Photo Print

Start by deciding if you want your photo to fill the frame or have a border around it. For a display without a mat, look for a frame designed to hold a 16×20 print. If you prefer a matted look, choose a larger frame with a mat opening intended for a 16×20 photo.

The frame’s color and style can help connect your photo to the rest of the room. A black frame adds definition, a white frame keeps the look light, and a wood frame can bring warmth to a family portrait or landscape. Try holding a few frame options near your photo before choosing your favorite.

Check the frame’s specifications carefully, especially when buying a frame and mat separately. The outside frame dimensions and the size of the photo it holds are different measurements. Confirming both will help you get the display you pictured.

Where to Display 16×20 Photo Prints

A 16×20 photo print is large enough to catch your eye without needing an entire wall to itself. Think about where you naturally pause during the day and which memory you’d love to see there. Before hanging it, use a paper template to check the placement, allowing extra space for the frame.

Try one of these display ideas:

Above an entryway table: Welcome everyone home with a favorite family photo.
On a gallery wall: Give a 16×20 print a central spot among smaller photos.
Above a dresser: Make a wedding portrait or travel memory part of your bedroom.
In a home office: Keep a favorite person, place, or moment close during the workday.
Along a hallway: Create a series of matching prints that celebrates your family over the years.

Give a 16×20 Photo Print as a Gift

A favorite photo can make a gift feel personal before you’ve written the card. Choose a moment that matters to the recipient, such as a grandparent with the grandkids, a couple on their wedding day, or siblings together at a family gathering. Printing it at 16×20 gives that memory a place in their home.

Add a frame so it’s ready to display, and use the optional back-of-print message for a date or short dedication. You could give parents an updated family portrait, surprise your partner with a favorite anniversary photo, or celebrate a friend’s new home with a picture of a place they love. The photo does the storytelling, and your message adds one more reason to treasure it.

FAQs

Is a 16×20 photo print a good size for wall décor?

A 16×20 photo print works well as a standalone framed photo or as part of a gallery wall. It gives portraits and scenery room to stand out without requiring a large wall. Measure your space with the frame’s outside dimensions in mind before deciding where to hang it.

What options are available for Shutterfly 16×20 photo prints?

Shutterfly offers 16×20 photo prints in matte and cardstock. Matte is available for in-store pickup. You can also add an optional message of up to 30 characters to the back of your print.

Can I pick up a 16×20 photo print in store?

Yes, matte 16×20 photo prints are available for in-store pickup. Select matte and review the available pickup locations when ordering. Check the estimated timing for your selected store before completing your purchase.

Can I add text to the back of a 16×20 photo print?

Yes, you can add a back-of-print message of up to 30 characters. Use it for a name, date, location, or short dedication. Review your wording and character count before placing your order.

Will my photo need to be cropped for a 16×20 print?

A 16×20 print has a 4:5 aspect ratio, so a photo with different proportions may need cropping to fill it. Review the preview to make sure faces and other important details remain inside the print area. A photo with a little extra room around the subject can give you more flexibility.

Create Your 16×20 Photo Print

Give that photo you love a place where you can enjoy it every day. Choose a family favorite, revisit an unforgettable trip, or surprise someone with a memory you share. With matte and cardstock options, optional back-of-print messaging, and in-store pickup available for matte, Shutterfly makes it easy to turn a favorite moment into a 16×20 photo print.

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