How to Hang a Poster Without a Frame: Six Methods That Work
You printed a digital download and you do not want a frame yet. Six ways to put it on the wall, from magnetic hangers to a simple bulldog clip, and the mistakes that ruin the print.
A frame protects a print and makes it look finished, but it is not the only way to hang one. If you have printed one of our digital downloads, are waiting for the right frame, or simply like the lighter look of paper on a wall, there are good ways to hang a poster without one. There are also a few common ones that leave marks on the wall or ripple the paper within a week.
1. Magnetic poster hangers
Two wooden or aluminium strips, one at the top and one at the bottom, hold the paper between magnets. The top strip has a cord or hook to hang it from a single nail or adhesive hook. This is the closest thing to a frame without glass: the paper hangs flat, the bottom strip adds weight so it does not curl, and changing the print takes seconds. Choose a hanger slightly wider than the paper so the edges stay covered.
2. Clips and a nail
Two bulldog clips or binder clips along the top edge, hung on small nails or hooks, give a relaxed studio look. It suits heavier art paper better than thin poster paper, which tends to curve between the clips. A second pair of clips on the bottom edge keeps it straight.
3. Washi tape
Washi tape is low tack paper tape that comes off most painted walls cleanly. Used as a visible border it becomes part of the look. It works for small prints and for a short time; on larger sheets or in humid rooms the corners lift. Never use ordinary clear tape or packing tape, which yellows and tears the paper when removed.
4. Reusable putty
Small balls of reusable adhesive putty on the back corners hold light paper invisibly. Use it sparingly, and only on paper, not on photo paper, because it can leave an oily mark on some coated stocks over time. Test on a hidden spot of the wall first, especially on fresh or matt paint.
5. A picture rail or a ledge
If you already have a picture rail or a narrow shelf, a print mounted on a rigid board can simply lean against the wall. Foam board from a craft shop, cut to the paper size, keeps the print flat. This is the easiest way to change art often without making any new holes.
6. A clipboard or a board
A plain clipboard or a thin plywood board with a clip at the top turns a print into an object. It works especially well with small sizes in a kitchen, a hallway or above a desk.
Mistakes that ruin the print
- Hanging paper in direct sunlight: inks fade and the paper waves
- Using tape on the front of the print
- Hanging thin paper in a bathroom or above a kettle
- Pinning through the print instead of through a border
- Rolling a print the wrong way before hanging: flatten it under books for a day first
Which method for which print
For a large print, 40x60 cm or bigger, use a magnetic hanger or mount it on board; tape and putty are not strong enough to keep large paper flat. For small prints up to A4, any method works and washi tape or a clipboard looks best. On wallpaper or fresh paint, avoid tape and putty and use a hanger on a hook.
Our digital downloads are high resolution files at 300 DPI, so they print sharply at the sizes listed on each product, from small home prints up to the largest recommended size. Print on a heavier matte paper if you plan to hang without a frame; it stays flatter on the wall than thin glossy poster paper.
See this piece
View it on our site: Digital Printable Wall Art.