When you buy a poster, you may wonder what the best way to hang it on the wall is. Of course, you can just place it there and that’s it. However, it would be much more stylish and convenient if you frame it. As you may face some problems while choosing a suitable frame, we would like to help you to avoid them. So, let’s see how to choose poster frames.
Before choosing a certain poster frame, it’s necessary to decide if you need a mat board (a colored material, used for leaving some space between a poster and a frame and for creating a border between a frame and a poster). If yes, think over its size and color.
old picture frame, wooden + silver, inside leather, with clipping path!
Once you are ready with this, measure the poster width, length and thickness, taking into account the size of the mat. If you decide to frame the poster without mat, you just need the poster measurements. When you know what size the ready poster must be, you are ready to enter the market of frames.
Contents
- 1 Standard poster frame sizes
- 2 Custom poster frames
- 3 Materials for frames
- 4 Glass and acrylic frames
- 5 Framing photos without glass
- 6 Types of frames
- 7 Where can you buy frames?
- 7.1 Prices for frames
Standard poster frame sizes
Poster frames have some standard sizes, for example like 18x24 poster frame, 24x36 poster frame or 27x40 poster frame.
There are several standard sizes of poster frames. They are:
- 11x17 in
- 12x18 in
- 16x20 in
- 18x24 in
- 20x24 in
- 24x30 in
- 24x36 in
- 30x40 in
Custom poster frames
However, many companies and online shops make custom frames and you are free to choose the dimensions that you need. In such a way, if your poster is of non-standard size, for example 24x90, you can order a frame, which will fit it perfectly. Moreover, if you order a custom frame, you are free to choose its design and materials.
Materials for frames
There are three types of materials, which are usually used for poster frames. They are: wood, metal and plastic. Metal and wood frames are considered to be more qualitative while the plastic ones are cheaper. The people usually use metal or plastic frames for posters as the wooden ones look better with paintings and more classic things. However, nowadays, some wooden frames look very stylish and can easily be used for modern posters.
Each frame can be either with picture framing glass or without it. It’s possible to frame such a piece of art as poster without glass. However, if you want to preserve it for many years without a single scratch, it’s better to use a frame with glass.
Each frame can be either with picture framing glass or without it. It’s possible to frame such a piece of art as poster without glass. However, if you want to preserve it for many years without a single scratch, it’s better to use a frame with glass.
Glass and acrylic frames
The main benefit of having a glass frame is that it protects the image very well and is resistant to scratching. Using glass for frames allows you to save the poster in its initial state for a long period of time. Moreover, there are also such kinds of glass, which protect the image from the UV light. They cost more, but do their job very well. However, that's very easy to break the glass and that's its main disadvantage.
Glass frames can be dangerous for children and it’s not recommended to use them for your kids’ room. Nowadays, some framing companies use acrylic or plexiglass, which is more resistant to breaking. It’s easy to ship it. Acrylic also weights less than glass and makes the process of mounting a picture easier. It’s often used for very large works of art as glass is too heavy for them. However, such a material needs special attention. It’s less resistant to scratching than glass and can bend.
Framing photos without glass
Some people don't like frames with glass because they often reflect the bright light and prefer to buy glass-free frames. In such a way, one can see the image better and doesn't afraid of breaking the glass. However, of course, frames without glass have their demerits. They don't protect the poster from dust and sunlight, which can spoil them, and other outer factors.
Types of frames
Besides the materials, you should also think about the style and color of the frame. In order to determine what you need, it’s necessary to think over the place, where you are going to hang a poster. The most general types of frames are contemporary, ornate, rustic, simple and traditional.
Contemporary frames are usually minimalistic in design and almost have no decoration. They are usually used for modern pieces of art and that’s why they can be easily used as modern movie poster frames.
Ornate frames look very luxurious. They are perfect for some classic paintings and retro posters.
Room interior - ornate frame on the wall
Vintage frames are usually made of wood only. If you have a western movie poster or the vintage one, it will look nice in such a frame.
Vintage blank wooden frame bottles and rose in a pot on a white wall
The major plus of simple frames is that they fit every picture and every style. They are almost invisible and it lets the people concentrate on the image itself.
Poster New York city with a hand-drawn sketch of the Statue of Liberty
Traditional frames, as well as the simple ones, are used for many pictures, including posters, photos and paintings.
Traditional frame
However, the style of the poster isn’t the only thing, which you need to take into account while choosing a frame design. You should also think over the style of the room, where the poster will be placed. If, for example, your flat is in modern style, rustic or ornate frames will look strange in the interior.
Where can you buy frames?
Now, when you know what frame you need, it’s time to discover where and at what price you can buy it.
Among the most popular sites for poster frames are:
Walmart online department store sells frames of different companies at reasonable prices ($14-15). If you need a traditional frame, you can buy it here. However, the biggest size of the frame, available on the site, is 24x36. The company also doesn’t make custom frames and all the frames are of standard sizes.
Frame USA is an online shop, which offers rather cheap poster frames, made of plastic or polystyrene. For example, a 18x24 frame costs about $10 and a 27x41 one costs $24. Moreover, they are able to do a frame of any size for you and that’s very convenient if you have a non-standard picture. The minus of this shop is that the assortment isn’t very big.
American Frame site has a wonderful collection of frames of all possible styles and designs. You can spend long hours on this site, trying to understand what to choose. The company offers all possible sizes of frames and can also make frames of non-standard sizes. However, their frames are rather expensive.
Prices for frames
Here are the approximate prices:
Type | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
Wooden frame | 18 x 24 | $20 |
Wooden frame | 27 x 41 | $34 |
Metal frame | 18 x 24 | $60 |
Metal frame | 27 x 41 | $122 |
Picture Frames also has a good collection of poster frames of many colors and designs. The prices are reasonable here: starting from $23 for 18x24 frame and $28 for 27x41 one. Moreover, they do custom frames in any sizes you need.
On the net, you will certainly face some ikea frames, which have interesting designs and different colors. Unfortunately, they are usually photo frames and aren’t available in big sizes.
So, what is the best place to buy a frame? It depends on what you want. If you need a simple and traditional frame, you can find it almost at any live and online shop, which deals with frames. But if you want something special, it’s better to turn to the shops, which are able to meet all your requirements. Be ready that frames with unusual designs cost more. That’s why you need to decide if you need a frame just to protect your poster or you want it to be an integral part of your interior design.
We hope that our pieces of advice will be really useful for you and you will be able to frame your poster without any problems.
FAQs
How to Frame a Poster: Custom Poster Frame Sizes Ideas? ›
As a rule of thumb, your finished frame will be one to two inches wider and longer than your poster itself if it has no mat, and 6-8 inches larger if you choose to mat it. That being said, there are multitudes of frames and frame styles to fit your posters in different sizes.
How do I frame my own poster? ›- Step 1: Choose your Mat. ...
- Step 2: Pick the right frame. ...
- Step 3: Remove frame hinges or clips. ...
- Step 4: Clean the glass or plexiglass front and let dry. ...
- Step 5: Attach poster to an adhesive foam board. ...
- Step 6: Slide the glass/plexiglass piece into place in the frame. ...
- Step 7: Fit your mat (if applicable) into the frame.
As a rule of thumb, your finished frame will be one to two inches wider and longer than your poster itself if it has no mat, and 6-8 inches larger if you choose to mat it. That being said, there are multitudes of frames and frame styles to fit your posters in different sizes.
Does a poster frame have to be the exact size? ›However, the frame should not be an exact match for your artwork. For instance, let's assume you have a poster that is 10" x 12". You would actually need a frame that is a bit larger, which in this case would be 12" x 14". This will help ensure that you do not damage the integrity of the artwork.
Should a poster be framed in glass? ›When glass directly touches artwork inside a frame, it can possibly stick and permanently laminate itself to the poster print over time. So, if your poster is valuable, you may want to use a matboard for added protection. Matboards can also come in a variety of colours as well.
Why is framing a poster so expensive? ›One of the key factors that contributes to the cost of framing is the use of high-quality materials. A quality frame requires top-notch materials such as solid wood, acid-free mat boards, and UV-resistant glass or acrylic to ensure that your artwork or photo is protected from damage over time.
Should the frame be bigger than the poster? ›Often times the standard rule is to select a frame that is an inch wider and taller than the print, or poster. The frame shouldn't be any bigger than the standard as it will make the picture or print look odd.
What is the best frame for poster print? ›There are several options, and it will depend on what the poster is depicting and the colour it uses. Often, a simple matte or satin black frame is enough to help add a touch of style and a great finish to your poster. A white frame can make the artwork feel brighter and makes it stand out on a coloured wall.
What type of frame is best for posters? ›Metal and wood are the two most popular frame types. Metal is a popular choice for poster frames thanks to a wide selection of colors, finishes, and high durability. Some metal options include aluminum, bronze, silver, and gold. Aluminum is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant option.
What size frame should I get for a 24x36 poster? ›A: A 24x36 poster will need a 24x36 frame. All of our frames are listed and described according to industry standard, which is by the size print that they will hold (inside dimensions).
What size frame do I need for 18x24 poster? ›
Fits 18x24 inch Photos! Actual Frame size (finished size) is 20x26 inches and the frame is 1.25 inches wide.
How high do you hang a framed poster? ›We suggest hanging your art so that the vertical center (the middle of the frame) is 57" (inches) above the floor, or at your eye-level if it's in a hallway or entryway where you're usually walking past it. That goes for single pieces (photos, paintings, posters) as well as arrangements like gallery walls.
How do you frame a poster without a frame? ›One of the easiest ways to hang a poster without a frame is by using adhesive strips. These strips are easy to find at most hardware or craft stores, and they are designed to stick to various surfaces, including walls and ceilings.
Can I frame a picture myself? ›If you want to frame artwork, it's imperative to have an X-Acto knife and a no-slip metal ruler. A self-healing cutting mat is nice to have as well (and it's reasonably priced at $5.00), but you can use chipboard or cardboard if you don't have one.
Can you frame prints yourself? ›If your print is on paper as opposed to canvas, a mat helps elevate the look and give it a more professional feel. Most frames will come with a mat cut to size, but if you want to adjust the white space or your frame is mat-free, you'll need an X-Acto knife or a box cutter, and a mat board.