Chloe Zhang
Hanging posters can be a fun way to decorate your space, but it's important to do it right to avoid damaging your walls or the poster itself. While there are various methods to hang posters, such as using nails, staples, or tape, it's crucial to choose an approach that won't leave permanent marks or damage the poster. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for hanging old plastic posters, ensuring that your cherished vintage posters are displayed securely and safely. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply looking to spruce up your living space, follow these tips to master the art of hanging old plastic posters.
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What You'll Learn
Using adhesive products
Firstly, ensure your poster is clean and flat. If your poster has been rolled up, lay it on a clean, flat surface and weigh down the corners with heavy items like books. This will ensure your poster hangs neatly against the wall.
Next, prepare the wall by cleaning the surface with a microfiber cloth and warm water or a cleaning agent. Ensure the wall is completely dry before applying any adhesive products.
Now, you can apply the adhesive. Depending on the product, you may need to apply it to the wall, the poster, or both. For smaller posters, applying adhesive to the corners should be sufficient. For larger posters, you may need to apply the adhesive at more points around the edge.
If you are using double-sided tape, peel the protective strip off and stick the tape to each corner of the back of your poster. First, stick one corner of the poster to the wall, then, while still holding the poster, stick the opposite corner. Pull down slightly on the corners and stick the poster to the wall, one corner at a time, avoiding any creases.
For poster putty, apply small dabs of putty to the corners, centre, and midpoints on the back of the poster. Then, hold the poster by the top corners and position it on the wall, pressing firmly at the spots where the putty is applied.
If you are using slide binders, thread the binders through the edges of your poster and thread a string through the top edge. You can then hang your poster from rods, screws, nails, or hooks.
Remember, when using adhesive products, always check that they are suitable for the weight of your poster and the type of wall surface.
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Hanging with clips
Clips are a great way to hang your old plastic posters without damaging them. Here are some tips for hanging your posters with clips:
Choose the Right Clips
Avoid heavy-duty clips like binder clips, as these can damage your poster and the wall. Opt for slide binders or binder clips designed specifically for hanging posters. You can also use simple paper clips if you plan to hang your poster on drywall.
Prepare the Poster
If your poster arrived rolled up, flatten it out before hanging. Lay it on a clean, flat surface and weigh down the corners with books or other heavy items for a few hours. Ensure the poster is free from dirt, oil, or fingerprints by handling it with clean hands or gloves.
Mark the Spot
Use a level or tape measure to ensure your poster will be straight on the wall. Mark the spot with a piece of painter's tape. This will help you visualize the placement and make any necessary adjustments.
Apply Adhesive
Place the poster face down on a clean surface. Apply adhesive to the corners, centre, and midpoints on the back of the poster. You can use adhesive putty, double-sided tape, or glue, depending on the weight of your poster and the texture of your wall.
Hang the Poster
Hold the poster by the top corners and position it on the marked spot. Gently press the top corners firmly where the adhesive is. If using paper clips, create a loop with the paper clip on each corner, then use pushpins or tacks to hang the poster by the paper clips. For binder clips, simply clip the poster and hang it on lines, hooks, or screws.
Alternative Method
If you want to get creative, you can use cording and wooden dowels to hang your poster. Cut the dowels to be longer than the width of your poster and stain them. Adhere the poster to the dowels using hot glue and staples. Add a supporting wood slat at the back of the poster and staple it in place. Finally, attach the cording to the top dowel for hanging.
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Using a frame
If you want to hang your old plastic posters using a frame, there are several methods you can use.
First, you need to flatten your poster. If your poster arrived rolled up, it should be flattened so it hangs neatly against the wall. To do this, lay the poster on a clean, flat surface and place weights on each corner for a few hours. You can use books or other heavy items as weights.
Next, you need to prepare your frame. If you are using a wooden frame, you can cut two pieces of wood to be 3 inches longer than the width of your poster, so that you have 1.5 inches extending on either side. Stain the wood and let it dry.
Now, you are ready to attach your poster to the frame. One method is to use a combination of hot glue and staples. Line up the top and bottom of the poster with the edge of the frame and glue and staple it in place. Then, add a supporting wood slat over the back of the poster and staple it in a few places.
Another option is to use adhesive tape. There are several varieties of tape available, so choose one that is strong enough to support your poster but can also be removed without causing damage. You can test the tape on a hidden section of the wall first to be sure. Apply the tape to the back of the frame and then stick the frame to the wall.
If you don't want to cut and stain wood for your frame, you can always order a poster hanging kit, which comes in either horizontal or vertical sizes. Simply attach the cording to the top of the frame and your poster is ready to hang!
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Marking the spot
First, visualise and plan where you want to hang the poster. Consider trying different walls to see which one works best. You can ask a friend or family member to hold the poster up against different walls to help you decide. For example, your poster may look better on a wall adjacent to or opposite a window for better lighting.
Once you've decided on the location, clean the area where you'll be hanging the poster. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the wall and ensure it is free of dirt, oil, grime, fingerprints, and smudges. This step is crucial as adhesives may not stick properly to dirty or oily surfaces.
Now, it's time to mark the spot. Use a level or tape measure to ensure your poster will be straight. You can use a bubble level or a regular tape measure for this step. Stick a piece of painter's tape to the wall to mark the desired location of your poster. Make sure the tape is level, and use it as a guide for the next steps.
If you're using adhesive, apply it to the back of your poster. Place the poster face down on a clean, flat surface. Add dabs of adhesive to the corners, centre, and midpoints of the poster. You can also apply adhesive directly to the wall, depending on the type you are using.
Finally, hold the poster by the top corners and position it on the marked spot on the wall. Gently press the top corners firmly, ensuring the poster is straight and level. If needed, slowly lower the poster and adjust it until it is perfectly aligned with the marked spot.
By following these steps, you can effectively mark the spot and ensure your old plastic posters are hung securely and straight.
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Flattening the poster
Flattening a poster can be a delicate process, but there are several methods you can try to get your poster ready for framing. Firstly, carefully unroll the poster and place it on a clean, flat surface, preferably with the image side facing down. If your poster is still curled, try rolling it in the opposite direction and leave it for a few hours.
To weigh down the poster, place heavy objects on top of it, focusing on the corners and the middle. Books work well for this, but you can also use weights or plates. For extra protection, place a matboard or heavy craft paper between the poster and the weights. Leave the weights on for at least a day, and repeat if necessary.
Another option is to use a clothes iron on a low, no-steam setting. Cover the poster with a towel or cloth and carefully iron over it. Alternatively, you can spray the cloth with water to slightly dampen it before ironing, but this method is riskier for the poster.
If you plan on framing your poster, you can place it directly into the frame, which will help flatten it and protect it from damage. Simply open the back of the frame, place the poster inside image-side down, and secure the back of the frame again.
With these methods, you can effectively flatten your poster and prepare it for hanging or displaying.
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Frequently asked questions
Use adhesives such as double-sided removable tape, removable putty, magic tape, or heavy-duty mounting tape. Alternatively, use slide binders or binder clips.
Use poster putty, adhesive squares, or double-sided tape.
The easiest way to hang a plastic poster is to use poster putty or adhesive squares, which work best for lightweight posters on smooth walls.
There are several ways to hang a poster without using nails, including poster putty, adhesive squares, double-sided tape, and binder clips.
To hang a framed plastic poster, cut two six- to eight-inch pieces of Nano Tape and stick them to the top and bottom of the back of the frame. Peel off the protective strip and stick the top of the frame to the wall, then stick the bottom.
