How to Frame and Hang a Christmas Poster (Sizes, Frames, Walls)

A good print deserves to be hung well. This guide covers choosing the right size, deciding between framed and unframed, then a five-step method for framing and hanging that works for every wall type, from drywall to rentals.

Choosing the right size before you frame

Framing starts with size, because the frame scales with the print. Our posters come in four ISO A sizes: A4 (21 × 29.7 cm · 8.3 × 11.7 in) at $17.95, A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) at $25.95, A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) at $40.95 and A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) at $75.95. Each size is exactly double the one before, which is why they mix so well on a wall. A quick guide: A4 for shelves, desks and clusters; A3 for hallways and bedrooms; A2 above a sofa, bed or sideboard; A1 for a feature wall or a large room. If you are not sure, cut a sheet of newspaper to size and tape it to the wall for a day before you order.

Framed or unframed?

Every poster is printed borderless on thick matte paper, so it looks finished either way. Choosing a framed poster (black or chrome, +$20) means it arrives ready to hang with no extra shopping, which is ideal for gifts and for anyone who wants it on the wall the day it arrives. Choosing unframed gives you freedom: a wide white mat, a vintage frame you already own, or a simple set of poster hangers. Our oak frame is coming soon for those who prefer natural wood.

A few style pointers. Black suits almost everything and is the classic choice for vintage and typographic prints. Chrome flatters cool palettes, minimalist art and modern rooms. If you frame your own, a mat of 5 to 8 cm adds elegance to A4 and A3 prints; A2 and A1 usually look best filling the frame edge to edge.

How to frame and hang a poster in five steps

Step 1: Unpack and let the print rest

Prints travel flat and protected. Lift the poster by its edges with clean, dry hands and lay it face up on a clean surface for an hour so it settles at room temperature. If you are framing it yourself, remove the backing board from the frame and check the glass or acrylic is clean on both sides; dust trapped inside is the most common framing mistake.

Step 2: Mount the print in the frame

Place the poster face down on the glass, or on the mat if you are using one, and align it square to the edges. Because our prints are exact ISO A sizes, they fit standard A-size frames without trimming. Replace the backing board, close the clips and turn the frame over to check for dust or hairs before moving on. Skip this step if you ordered a framed poster; it arrives finished and ready to hang.

Step 3: Decide the position

Hang art so its center sits about 145 to 150 cm from the floor, the average eye level. Above furniture, leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the sofa, bed or sideboard and the bottom of the frame, and aim for a frame roughly two thirds the width of the furniture. Hold the frame up and mark the top center lightly in pencil.

Step 4: Measure and fix the hook

Turn the frame over and measure from the top edge to the hanging point (the top of the wire when pulled taut, or the sawtooth hanger). Subtract that distance from your pencil mark and that is where the hook goes. For an A4 or A3 in a light frame, a removable adhesive hook or a single picture hook is enough. An A2 or A1 is heavier; use a proper picture hook with a nail, or two hooks spaced apart to keep it level.

Step 5: Hang, level and step back

Lift the frame onto the hook, place a small spirit level on top and nudge it true. Add small adhesive bumpers to the bottom corners so the frame sits flat and stays put. Then step back to the far side of the room and look at it in daylight and lamplight; matte paper has no glare, so what you see is what you will live with.

Hanging on different walls

• Drywall: picture hooks with angled nails hold A2 and A1 frames easily; no need to find a stud for a single poster.
• Plaster: drill a small pilot hole to avoid cracking, then use a hook and screw.
• Brick or concrete: use a masonry drill bit and a plastic anchor, or hang from the mortar line.
• Rentals and tiles: high-quality removable adhesive strips rated well above the frame's weight, or lean the frame on a shelf, mantel or picture ledge.

Gallery walls, care and delivery

If you are hanging several prints, cut paper templates to size and tape them to the wall first, then adjust until the arrangement looks right. Keep 5 to 8 cm between frames and align either the centers or the top edges. Mixed sizes look best in one frame finish. The bundle builder discounts your order as you add prints, and orders over $70 ship free.

Keep prints out of direct sunlight to protect colors, away from radiators and steam, and dust the frame with a dry cloth. Store off-season prints flat in their original packaging. Every poster is printed to order in the US and dispatched within 1 to 2 business days, with tracked delivery in 3 to 5 business days. If yours arrives damaged in transit we reprint it free, and all orders have 14-day returns.

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