How to frame a poster: step-by-step and FAQs
Whether it reflects your hobbies, interests, personality or you’re looking for a great cityscape or movie poster, posters are the perfect way to add to your home décor and create interest in each room without spending a fortune on expensive artwork. Many people choose not to frame their posters and simply stick them to the wall. Whilst this looks great, over time, the artwork can curl and become creased or damaged, making the room look sloppy or messy.
Framing your poster is an inexpensive way to keep it looking pristine and turn it into a piece of wall art within your home. There are many different framing options available so it’s important to carefully consider how you want to frame your poster or photos. Here’s our guide on how to frame a poster properly to avoid damage, keep it looking pristine and to complement your home décor.
In this guide:
- Framing a poster in a GB poster frame
- Alternative framing options
- FAQs
Framing a poster in a GB poster frame
GB poster frames are designed to be easy to use and make your poster look stunning.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to fit a GB poster fame:
Quick steps:
- Remove the shrink wrap
- Lift the metal tabs
- Remove the backing board
- Remove the protective film from both sides of the styrene
- Insert your poster
- Replace the backing board and secure with the metal tabs
- Hang on your wall
Step 1: Remove the shrink wrap
To ensure that our frames are in pristine condition as they make their way from our warehouse to your doorstep, we shrink wrap all of our frames to keep them dust and scratch-free and to protect them before boxing them up.
Before putting your poster in the frame, you will need to remove this shrink wrap carefully to avoid scratching it or damaging the frame.
Step 2: Lift metal tabs
Start by placing the frame face down on a flat, clean surface. You will see small metal tabs around the outside of the frame which you need to lift up carefully.
Step 3: Remove the backing board
Once you have lifted the tabs up, remove the cardboard backing board that supports your poster once it’s in the frame. Make sure you keep it nearby because you’re will need it again later.
Step 4: Remove the protective film from BOTH sides of the styrene
After removing the backing board, you will find a piece of styrene that makes up the front of your frame. There is a protective film on BOTH sides of this that will need to be removed for the best results. If you leave the protective film on one side or the other, it can make it seem as though your frame is scratched and could lessen the appearance of your poster. The styrene can then be placed back into the frame, avoiding getting fingerprints on it.
Step 5: Insert your poster
Carefully place your poster face down on the styrene, making sure there are no creases, wrinkles or dirt on the styrene.
Step 6: Replace the backing board and secure with metal tabs
Place the backing board over the back of the poster, ensuring there are no creases or wrinkles. Fold the metal tabs back down.
Step 7: Hang on your wall and enjoy
The final step is to choose a space in your home, hang your frame and enjoy your poster!
Alternative framing options
Some people choose to send posters and pictures to a professional framer but this is a more expensive process than simply doing it yourself. Unless you have a collectable or valuable print to frame, there’s no reason why your poster should be damaged significantly when framing it yourself.
At GB Posters, our frames are designed to make it as easy as possible for you to place your poster in the frame and hang it in your home.
FAQs
Jump to a question:
- How do you frame a rolled poster?
- How do you choose the right frame for your poster?
- Can you iron a poster to help flatten it and get it ready for framing?
- Should you frame your post so it fits with the room décor or to maximise appearance?
How do you frame a rolled poster?
The best way to flatten a poster is:
- Roll it out onto a clean, flat surface
- Place something heavy such as books on each corner to weigh it down.
- Leave the poster there for up to 24 hours
- When you take the weights off, you’ll have a flat poster.
How do you choose the right frame for your poster?
Framing your poster does more than enhance the picture. A good quality frame will protect the print and make sure it still looks good in the future. When choosing a print and framing it as a piece of wall art in your home, there are so many different factors to consider.
Frame size
Before buying a frame, measure the dimensions (height, width and thickness) to find the right frame size. Remember to choose a frame that’s slightly bigger than your poster to avoid wrinkles or creasing once the poster is in the frame. GB poster frames are designed to fit the size advertised (e.g. A4/A5).
Style and type of frame
Whilst you probably want a frame that will complement the picture on your print, matching the frame to your home décor is much more important. Unless you choose something that clashes, most frames should enhance the image but the frame should fit in with your home décor or you will struggle to find a place to hang it.
Consider a mount or mat board
A mount board will protect your print or poster by providing a rigid and sturdy backing to prevent the artwork from moving or warping when it’s in the frame. It usually sits behind the poster which is attached to it. The mount board is usually made of foam with a paper-based face on each side.
A mat board usually separates the poster from the glass or acrylic glazing by providing a barrier to protect and preserve it whilst providing a border for your poster to make it look more like a piece of artwork. These boards are usually white or cream but they are also available in other colours.
Both boards serve to protect your artwork but they’re for very different purposes.
Can you iron a poster to help flatten it and get it ready for framing?
Yes, you can iron your poster before flattening it. We recommend trying to flatten it with weights first to avoid damaging the poster. However, if that doesn’t work, you can iron the poster but it takes much more care.
Steps to follow to iron your poster:
- Place the poster face down on top of a piece of cardboard, a clean and stable surface or directly onto the ironing board.
- Use a cotton sheet to cover the back of the poster.
- Set your iron to the lowest heat without the steam setting.
- Once it has heated up, you can move it over the creases in the poster without stopping.
- Occasionally check the poster to make sure it’s working.
Should you frame your poster so it fits with the room décor, or should you frame it to maximise the poster’s appearance?
Both. Whilst the colour and finish of your frame should help to enhance the picture on your poster, it should complement your interior décor. Before choosing your frame style and colour, you should think about the overall look of your home and what you want to achieve by adding the framed poster to it.
If you’re looking for a simple frame, black frames are a great option. Black can be used as an accent colour but it’s also perfect for blending in with other home décor styles too so black frames are a versatile framing option.
To really make your poster stand out as a focal point in your room, white frames blend in with neutral décor styles and make posters that have a lot of white space already, really stand out. White matches every other colour and would fit particularly well with modern living spaces. Movie posters look great in a white frame and help the print to really stand out.
Silver frames will make pictures and posters stand out and add a contemporary feel to your home décor.
Oak frames are perfect for framing scenery artwork such as forests, marine life, seas, oceans and beaches. Many modern homes now feature wood surfaces which oak frames can complement.
