When did color prints go from 3.5 x 4 to 4 x 6?

Question: When did color prints go from 3!.5 x 4 to 4 x 6!?

I am sorting my folks' pictures, and many are not dated!. If I knew when the format changed from 3!.5 x!.4 to 4 x 6, it would be so much easier to help put all of these pictures into some order!. I am in the year 1989, 3!.5 x 4, and it seems soon after the format changed!. Any help on this will be wonderful! Thanks in advance!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

There is no right answer!. I remember when many processors started to offer 4x6 as the "premium" or "perfect" print size back in about 1975-76 or so, but it was phased into the market according to demand!. If there was only one photo processor who did everyone's prints, maybe you could get an accurate and helpful answer!. Since there are hundreds or thousands of places that make prints, you just can't say when a print was made based on its size!. Besides, suppose your folks usually got the 3R size and decided to get the 4R (4x6) for some special occasions and then went back to 3R!?

I'm sure you have noticed that some processors put a date on the back of the prints!. Some are coded and pretty much useless to me, but some are very plainly labeled, such as "JAN 83!."Www@QuestionHome@Com

It changed for the better many years ago!. A 3" print does not show the whole 35mm frame!.

A 4x6" print shows nearly everything that was recorded on a 35mm frame!.Www@QuestionHome@Com