What are my best options for hanging posters nicely?

August 29, 2016 5:50 AM

I mistakenly got the last poster I hung custom framed, which cost way more than the poster did. So what are my best options for hanging a poster nicely?

Or should I just stop overthinking it and tack them up?

posted by garlic to Home & Garden (16 answers total)

Look for Poster Frames at Target, Walmart, Michaels, etc.
posted by cecic at 5:59 AM on August 29, 2016 [5 favorites]

Best answer: I can't recommend Posterhanger enough. They're attractive, inexpensive, and well-made.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:04 AM on August 29, 2016 [22 favorites]

Best answer: Personally, I think a nice poster is worth framing, and custom framing is expensive, full stop. But here are some other ideas:

-Are any of the posters a standard frame size? Those are easy enough to find.

-You could get a larger standard-size frame and have a custom mat cut (cheaper than full-on framing).

-Order your own frame parts.

-Really order your own frame parts: get some foam core and plexiglas and cut them to size. You can cut plexiglas with this little gizmo and a ruler. If you want real glass, you can go to a glass shop that cuts windows & such. Then secure with frame clips.

-Bulldog clips. Clip and hang off a nail. NB: if the poster is lightweight, you'll need to put some at the bottom as well as the top.
posted by the_blizz at 6:08 AM on August 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

For no-frame hanging, Museum putty is better than tacks, and perhaps even easier.

Also I've gotten good and inexpensive poster frames at thrift stores and estate sales.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:17 AM on August 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

If the poster is a standard size, I recommend downloading the Michael's app for the coupons and/or keeping an eye on their sales - you can often get their poster frames for significant discounts that way. Since my bf and I regularly buy concert posters (which are usually a standard size) we always take advantage of the sales even if it requires purchasing multiples. The standard black frame from Michael's isn't the finest quality but it looks nice enough for posters, especially hung in groups.

There's also a frame seller on Amazon that has basically custom sizes. I will have to do some digging to find them but if you have an odd sized poster, definitely check Amazon.
posted by misskaz at 6:20 AM on August 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

You could get a larger standard-size frame and have a custom mat cut (cheaper than full-on framing)

Nthing - this is what I've started doing and the cost difference is astonishing, yet it still looks professionally done.
posted by something something at 6:30 AM on August 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

I have purchased framed pictures at Goodwill and other thrift stores, removed the picture and reused the frame. I assume these are custom frames because of the dimensions and the similar way they are put together. I take the frame apart, clean the glass, clean up the matting if I am reusing it and then reassemble everything. It takes some time but the results and money saved are worth it.
posted by soelo at 7:08 AM on August 29, 2016

If you want something nicer than just tacking them up but cheaper than frames, getting a poster drymounted on foamcore is pretty cheap, and the result is still light enough to attach with blutack or whatever.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:13 AM on August 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

You can get them permanently mounted on foam core the same size as the poster at a place like FedEx office for (I believe) about $10-$20 per poster. Then just mount straight to the wall like that. I'm a fan of that look (though of course, it's not as highbrow as framing -- but still looks quite modern to my eyes).

Of course, you have to be okay with your posters being permanently turned into stiff foam core boards. But I think it looks better, it protects them, and actually makes them easier to transport.

Edit: on refresh, what ROU said.
posted by mekily at 7:17 AM on August 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

I have a stack of frames I rescued from a trash-destined heap at my old job. They're in nice shape with other prints inside them. I grabbed them initially thinking oh, I'll buy prints I like and stick em in here, frames are so expensive, but it's been several years and they're still sitting untouched because it turns out I suck at caring about home decor.

You can have them if you want. They're, uh, poster sized. Just let me know.
posted by phunniemee at 7:44 AM on August 29, 2016

I have my theatrical posters mounted on pressboard. It is startlingly inexpensive and it looks great.
posted by janey47 at 8:14 AM on August 29, 2016

Best answer: magnets
posted by mullacc at 9:44 AM on August 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

Depending on the size of the poster, you can get inexpensive frames from IKEA.
posted by Kabanos at 10:24 AM on August 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

A guy I know who has several high value posters puts binder clips on the corners then uses tacks on those. Quick and cheap.
posted by Monday at 11:10 AM on August 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

I like the wooden poster rails from Parabo Press a lot. They're classy and look fantastic in a room.

They're also held together with super strong magnets, so you can just pull them apart and hang something else in them if you choose.
posted by yellowcandy at 7:11 PM on August 29, 2016 [2 favorites]

I've done the off-the-shelf frame, custom mat option at Michael's for a poster, and that was not terribly expensive compared to regular framing.
posted by radioamy at 8:48 AM on August 30, 2016