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How to Hang Posters Without Damaging the Wall or Poster
  by:  |  Feb 13, 2024
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Posters are a great way to promote products, services, ideas, or events, decorate spaces, or communicate instructions. If you plan to hang posters, there’s the initial fear of potentially damaging the walls or the poster itself – but this doesn’t have to be the case. In this guide, we’ll show you how to hang your posters using the right methods and without damaging anything so you can have a hassle-free experience and feel confident once you decide to display your favorite posters.

How to Hang Posters: A Step-by-Step Guide

how to hang posters

Learn how to hang your poster like a pro by following these detailed steps:

Step 1: Think of the Space You’ll Use

Where are you going to display your poster? Is it in a rented space or do you own the area? Do you plan to hang the posters temporarily, or do you plan to swap posters frequently? Is the surface smooth or textured? These are the things to consider before you start installing your poster.

Step 2: Measure and Mark the Poster Placement

Measure and mark the area where you’ll hang your poster. This ensures that the poster is aligned correctly and perfectly centered.

Step 3: Keep the Poster Flat and Clean

If your poster isn’t framed or rolled, it’s a must to flatten it out first. To do this, lay the poster on the floor and weigh it down at the corners for a few hours using books or heavy items. This will keep your poster from curling back and help make hanging your poster easier. If your poster has a glossy finish or is printed on photo-quality cardstock, ensure it’s free from oil, grime, dirt, fingerprints, and smudges.

Step 4: Prep Wall Surfaces

Any effort to hang your poster will be in vain if your wall surfaces are not prepped enough for installation. If you use an adhesive, your poster won’t stick if the surface is dirty or oily. Clean every surface, get into every nook and cranny with a rag and use warm water or a cleaning agent to ensure every space is squeaky clean. Also, ensure the wall is completely dry before applying the poster.

Step 5: Use the Right Adhesive and Tools

Use adhesive and tools that won’t leave permanent marks on the wall, strip off paint, or even damage the poster. Here are some examples of tools that you can use to hang your poster safely:

  • Double-Sided Removable Tape – There are double-sided tapes that are specifically designed for putting up posters. This kind of tape has a gentle adhesive that doesn’t mark or damage the poster surface.
  • Heavy-Duty Mounting Tape – Heavy-duty mounting tape is your go-to if your posters are framed or made of heavy material. This can be a great alternative if you don’t want to drill or use nails but still want to keep your posters secure on the wall.
  • Magic Tape – Magic tape is ideal for light-colored posters because it’s not as visible as other types of tape. Even after long use, this tape easily detaches and won’t leave any residue on the poster.
  • Removable Putty – Removable putty is just as gentle as double-sided tape. This is recommended if your posters are made of rigid material. Too much putty can create small bumps and crumpling at contact points, even with cardstock paper. Don’t use putty on freshly or poorly painted surfaces; it could peel off some paint.
  • Slide Binders – Thread binders through your posters’ edges and edges and thread a string on the top edge. You could hang your posters from rods, screws, nails, or wherever you need them. The bottom binder will give the poster more weight so it can hang properly.
  • Binder Clips – Use multiple binder clips to hold posters and photo enlargements – or smaller prints like postcards. You can hang them on lines, hooks, or screws against or away from walls.

Step 6: Attach the Adhesive to the Back of the Poster

Attach the adhesive to the back to prevent your poster from falling, and ensure there is enough adhesive on all contact points to secure the poster.

Step 7: Hang or Place Your Posters

Since your poster is ready and the place where you’ll hang it has been prepped at the beginning, the final step is to put it up for display. Make sure to apply pressure on all corners and gently smooth out the edges so the poster is wrinkle-free.

Conclusion

With the right methods and tools, hanging posters without damaging your walls is achievable. Keep in mind that the better the quality of the poster, the better it will hold up to various mounting tools.

Looking for custom posters? Trust UPrinting to do the job. We offer colorful, high-quality posters that immediately grab attention. Get started today and order your custom posters at UPrinting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to hang posters?

The best way to hang posters is to use adhesive and tools that will not damage your walls or the poster. Some examples include double-sided removable tape, removable putty, magic tape, heavy-duty mounting tape, and more.

How do you hang unframed posters?

Unframed posters can be hung using poster-friendly adhesives such as putty or adhesive strips. You can also use other options like slide binders and binder clips.

Should you tape posters to the wall?

Not all types of tape are suitable for hanging posters. If you’re considering using tape, use poster-friendly tape like magic tape, double-sided removable tape, and heavy-duty mounting tape.

What is the cheapest way to hang posters?

The cheapest way to hang posters is using cost-effective tools like poster putty or gentle adhesive tape. These options are affordable and provide a secure hold without damaging your walls.


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