dfreely wrote:A5 as I understand it is actually smaller than a 6x8, at about 5.8". It's corresponding envelope size (C5) is about 6.4", which would make it too big to be letter sized. Still, if you found the right envelope for the SASE, 6x8s could certainly be worthwhile if you're mailing from the UK where the letter size guidelines aren't as confining. For Americans though, it just isn't a good size to work with for the various reasons I mentioned earlier.

HappinessStan wrote:"The thing about 6x8 in the US is that there's only 1/8th of an inch until it hits large envelope territory, and there are no standard envelope sizes that would both fit the photo and still fall below the threshold."

That's useful information for a Brit terminally baffled by the US postal system, thanks!

I started off mainly with 6x8, but have recently settled into 5x7 (even though they cost the same at the supermarket where I get them printed). I think that they seem a tidier shape, but have little idea why this should be. Possibly because 6x8 is so close to A5 that the dimensions seem a bit officey.

Starting with the photo and fiddling with it in an editing program I increasingly often find that the size, quality and shape of the picture suggests the dimensions it would prefer to end up in. I would have no qualms about cutting it into the shape of a duck if it would yield a better result.