How To Frame A Poster With Pictures

You may not want a mat when framing a vintage poster or a poster of a classic work of art but that is completely your choice.

There can be multiple general tones of the poster so you can choose whatever looks best to you and fits the rest of your room. It is also your choice whether you use two mats or only one. Black and white pictures will do best with cool whites or grays, or even black. You do not want to upstage the poster if using a mat. Choose colors that work well with a width of at least 1. 5 inches (3. 8 cm). Smaller widths can easily be used for posters because they are so large to begin with. As always though it is your personal choice. You also do not want the top mat to be lighter than the lightest color in the picture or darker than the darkest color in the picture.

If you do not know where it will be placed or it is a gift then that is not a problem. There are plenty of generic frames that will look good in a variety of locations.

If you are using a mat be sure to include the dimensions (width, length and thickness) of the mat when measuring.

Measure the dimensions of the area where you will insert the frame rather than the exterior size of the poster. If you measure only the exterior of the edges of the frame then you will have a hard time fitting the poster into the space.

Some plastic frames have been finished to give the appearance of wood or metal. These plastic frames are often cheaper and lightweight, which can be useful when framing posters. Acrylic frames can also be useful in that they might be clear, which means they won’t cover up any of the graphics. [4] X Research source

If you want to create a more dramatic or bold look then choose a standard or wider frame.

Higher-quality plexiglass can also be made so that it is glare-free and is much lighter weight than glass can be, making it ideal for large frames such as for posters. Plexiglass can also be UV-resistant, which is important if you are hanging the poster in an area that receives a lot of sunlight. Plexiglass is more prone to scratches, even though there are scratch-resistant types. [5] X Research source

Even if the frame is not the right color, if it is wood then you can repaint it later to a color of your choice.

This frame might not be particularly strong so it might not work with a glass piece in front.

You may not want a mat when framing a vintage poster or a poster of a classic work of art but that is completely your choice.

You will need enough to cover the length of all four sides of your poster, plus extra if you are using a mat (the width of your mat times four) and some more (8-12 inches or 20-30 cm, depending on width of wall trimming) for the corners. You might only find a plain moulding that has a ledge in it, but do not worry, you can always customize colors later to add some decoration.

You will want each outer edge to be as long as that side of the poster plus the width of the other side of the frame times two. Make sure your opposing pieces on the top and bottom or left and right are equal lengths so that the frame can be squared properly. Make allowance in the lengths for the mat width as well as the poster size.

There may be gaps in the wood and it may not hold together completely on its own but that is ok. The corners will be attached more securely later.

Make sure the wood screws you use are not too long so that the poke out the front side of your frame. Use short screws. Drill the screws in carefully so that the wood does not crack or become damaged. You may wish to use a band clamp to hold the corners together but it is not necessary. A band clamp is a long piece of nylon with a clamp on one side to wrap around pieces and hold them together.

Alternatively you might find a piece as part of another picture frame at a thrift store or hobby store on sale. Higher quality plexiglass such as Acrylite OP-3 that is 1/8 inch (0. 31 cm) thick will work well. Higher-quality plexiglass can also be made so that it is glare-free and is much lighter weight than glass can be, making it ideal for large frames such as for posters, although it is more prone to scratches than glass. Plexiglass can also be UV-resistant, which is important if you are hanging the poster in an area that receives a lot of sunlight.

Use a pin to poke a hole in any large bubbles from behind (through the foam, not the poster). Once you let the air out, smooth it down completely. Trim excess foam from the board using a knife and metal ruler to make crisp edges. You can also pay for someone to apply a foam board for about $20 (depending on the area) if you would like. Remember that a foam board will increase the thickness of your poster and can affect the frame that you choose. [10] X Research source

It can be difficult to cut the edges of a mat accurately and without damaging the mat so you can usually have this completed at a framing store for just a few dollars.

You do not want any fingerprints or other oils on the side touching the poster. Plexiglass is prone to scratches so be sure to clean it only with a microfiber cloth rather than paper products.

You can always clean the other side again, so don’t worry about touching it all over when putting into place. Hold the piece as if it is a pizza when placing into the frame.

Make sure your poster backing is acid-free if you are using it or else it can damage the poster.

You may need more than one picture hanger if your frame is particular large and/or heavy. Make sure there are enough to hold your picture up securely.