Framing a poster is the quickest way to make it look like art rather than a dorm-room decoration. You don't need a framing shop for standard sizes: with the right frame and ten minutes, you can do it at home. Here is how to frame a poster step by step, how to choose the frame and mat, and the mistakes to avoid.
What you need
- A frame in the right size (see below)
- A tape measure
- A clean, soft cloth and clean, dry hands (or cotton gloves)
- Optional: a mat (the card border inside the frame), acid-free tape
- A flat, clean table, ideally covered with a clean sheet
Step 1: Measure the poster
Measure the width and height exactly. Standard poster sizes include 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 12 x 16, 16 x 20, 18 x 24 and 24 x 36 inches, and ready-made frames come in these sizes. Our poster sizes guide lists them and where each works. If your poster is an unusual size, you will need a custom frame or a mat cut to fit.
Step 2: Decide whether you want a mat
- No mat: buy a frame the same size as the poster. Clean, modern, and shows the whole image.
- With a mat: buy a frame larger than the poster, with a mat cut to show the image. For example, an 11 x 14 poster in a 16 x 20 frame. Mats give a gallery look and keep the print off the front cover.
A mat makes a small poster look more important on a big wall. A white or off-white mat is the safe choice; black mats suit dark, dramatic art.
Step 3: Flatten the poster if it was rolled
Lay it face up on a clean surface and weigh the corners with books for a day or two, or roll it gently the opposite way for a few minutes. Don't iron a poster: heat can damage the print.
Step 4: Clean the frame's front
Remove the backing and the clear front. Wipe both sides of the front with a soft cloth. For acrylic fronts, never use paper towels or ammonia cleaners, which scratch and cloud acrylic. A microfibre cloth with a little water is enough.
Step 5: Place the poster
- Put the clean front back in the frame, face down on the table.
- If using a mat, lay it on next, then the poster face down and centred behind the window. Fix the top edge of the poster to the back of the mat with a small strip of acid-free tape, so it can hang naturally.
- If not using a mat, lay the poster face down directly on the front.
- Check from the front for dust or hairs before closing it up.
Step 6: Close the frame
Replace the backing board and press the clips or tabs down evenly. Check once more from the front and fix any trapped dust now. If the poster ripples, the backing may not be pressing evenly; add a sheet of acid-free card behind the poster to fill the gap.
Step 7: Hang it
Hang the centre of the poster about 57 inches from the floor, or 8 to 10 inches above furniture. Use two hooks rather than one for larger frames so they stay level. See how high to hang wall art. If you can't make holes, heavy-duty adhesive strips work for lighter frames; check the weight rating.
Choosing a frame colour
Black frames suit bold, dark and neon art; white frames suit light, airy art and white walls. Natural wood suits landscapes and warm rooms. Our guide on black frame or white frame goes through the choice.
Acrylic or glass?
Acrylic fronts are lighter and shatter-resistant, which makes them safer for large frames, children's rooms and dorms. Glass is more scratch-resistant and very clear but heavier and can break. Either works; just clean them differently.
Common framing mistakes
- Taping the poster all the way round, which makes it buckle as humidity changes.
- Using ordinary sticky tape, which yellows and damages paper over time.
- Fingerprints on the inside of the front. Hold it by the edges.
- Hanging framed art in direct sun, which fades prints. See sun fading: where not to hang art.
Or skip the framing
If you would rather not frame it yourself, framed posters arrive ready to hang. Ours come in a solid wood frame with a protective acrylic cover, in black or white. If you prefer to keep posters unframed, see how to hang posters without frames. Compare the options in canvas vs poster vs framed poster, or browse the framed posters and posters.