Practical guide · Updated 12 October 2026
Why add white borders to a 4 × 6 print?
A 4 × 6 inch print has a 2:3 shape. A photo taken in a 4:3 shape, or a square image, doesn't naturally fill that paper without cropping. White borders use the remaining paper area to keep every part of the original photo. They can also create a clean, intentional look around the image.
Important: The border is white pixels inside the downloaded JPG. It is not a separate picture mount, and some print shops may crop away the white if automatic fill is enabled.
How to add white borders in FrameMyPixels
- Open the photo-to-frame editor and select the original image. JPG, PNG and WebP are supported.
- Under Print size, choose 4 × 6 in. Choose landscape for a 6-inch-wide print, or portrait for a 6-inch-tall print.
- Select Add borders rather than Crop to fill. This keeps the entire picture visible.
- Choose white (#ffffff) as the border color. Look at the preview to see where white space appears; its position depends on your photo's shape.
- Check the print resolution estimate, download the JPG and order exactly 4 × 6 in at your photo lab. Disable any extra crop/fill option and inspect the final order preview.
The image is 4:3, while the paper is 3:2. Fitting the whole picture to the paper's height displays it at about 5.33 × 4 inches. That leaves approximately 0.33 inch of white on the left and right.
For a theoretical 300 PPI 6 × 4 JPG, the overall output would be 1800 × 1200 pixels; the picture area would be around 1600 × 1200 pixels, with roughly 100 pixels of white on each side. Actual output dimensions depend on the editor's export limits and the selected image.
Will all four sides have an even border?
Not necessarily. FrameMyPixels's Add borders mode fits the whole image inside the selected shape. If the photo is too narrow, empty space appears on the sides; if it is too wide, empty space appears above and below. When the photo already matches the print's ratio, there may be no visible border.
To create a decorative, equally thick border on every side of an already matching photo, you would need a separate mat/border design step; this tool's fit mode is primarily for preserving the full picture. Don't mistake the decorative frame around the on-screen preview for part of the downloaded file.
What size and resolution should your JPG be?
A common 300 PPI target for 4 × 6 is 1200 × 1800 pixels in portrait, or 1800 × 1200 in landscape, counting any border. It's a planning target—not a guarantee of print sharpness. PPI tells you how many image pixels fit into each printed inch; it doesn't measure whether the original was blurry or heavily compressed.
For other sizes or pixels, try the print-size calculator or read the photo printing guide.
Common mistakes at the print shop
- Ordering a different size: choose the same 4 × 6 size you prepared, or the border geometry can change.
- Leaving automatic crop enabled: the lab may trim your carefully added white bands. Choose fit/no crop where the provider offers it.
- Expecting an actual mat: the white border is printed as part of the image. For a raised physical mount, use a separate mat.
- Using a screenshot: start with the original image for better retained quality.
Questions about white borders
Can I make the border a different color?
Yes. In Add borders mode, use the border color control to choose another color. White is the default choice for this walkthrough.
Will the download include the white space?
Yes. The chosen border becomes part of the exported JPG. The decorative preview frame does not.
Can I make an 8 × 10 print instead?
Yes. Choose 8 × 10 in the editor, or follow our 8 × 10 photo preparation guide to understand cropping and borders for that size.