You have just purchased a limited edition print from a local artist. Or you have found that old movie poster from your childhood. Whatever the piece may be, it is a large sheet of paper that you would like to display in your home.
The best possible method would be to have the artwork professionally framed; however, this is the most expensive option. Depending on the size of the piece, and the style of frame selected, the cost could be in the tens to hundreds of dollars for each poster. Framing does present your selected artwork in the best possible light, providing a professional-looking finished product that will help to protect the piece, as well as offering the cleanest methods for hanging the art on a wall.
There are less expensive methods of displaying large format pieces of art, ranging from commercial products to do-it-yourself projects, and varying in price from a few pennies, to nearly equal the cost of a professional framing.
There are some primary concerns when displaying a large piece of artwork, including protection from environmental concerns (fading by sunlight or exposure to elements) to protection of the integrity of the materials.
The lease expensive method of displaying a poster-sized piece is to secure it to a wall with push pins. However, this causes damage to the material, and tends to give a very unpolished look. This method is more suitable to less valuable pieces, and lends a youthful, informal look to the display. Depending on the weight and size of the poster, this method can also result in the piece sagging or pulling on the attached corners. However, this method is incredibly inexpensive, and can quickly and easily be modified to rotate the display with other pieces.
A similar method of attaching a piece to the wall would make use of brass thumbtacks instead of plastic push pins. The thumb tacks can be used solely in the corners, or can be used to create a border around the image. This method, done correctly, can provide an inexpensive and classic look on the wall, similar to the brass tacks used to secure seams on leather furniture. However, the number of pin holes inflicted on the artwork can seriously damage it, which would be inadvisable for more collectible pieces.
Another inexpensive method of attaching posters to a wall is the use of adhesive tape. While this provides one of the cheapest methods of displaying artwork, it can also cause a serious amount of damage to both the piece and the wall it is displayed upon, when the tape is removed.
There are a number of different commercial products on the market that can assist in the display of posters and other artwork. These methods include recent advances in removable adhesive systems. These sticky tabs can be used to attach the artwork to a wall, without causing damage to either surface. When you wish to remove the poster, you simply pull on the tab portion of the adhesive pad, which stretches the whole of the pad, releasing the adhesive from both surfaces without damage or residue. However, these tabs are more expensive than other adhesive methods, and can still lead to puckering and sagging if the poster is not properly mounted to the wall.
There are also commercial frames available in a number of sizes. If you have a smaller piece of art, in a traditional frame size, you can often find a ready-made frame at a local art supply store or department store. These frames can range widely in price and quality. However, larger or oddly shaped pieces cannot be accommodated by these frames.
Another type of commercial product is a series of clips and weighted bars that can be attached to the edges of a poster, and used to hang and balance the piece on a wall. These tend to be cheaper than a custom frame, and look more professional than invasive attachment methods such as push pins. However, these hanging systems can leave the piece somewhat loose on the wall, allowing for movement by air gusts, and may result in tearing on the unprotected edges.
There are, finally, some do-it-yourself methods to hanging artwork on your walls that will offer an inexpensive and creative solution to your dilemma. This can include the use of magnets, clothespins, or binder clips, which can be secured to the wall and then used to hang and display the artwork. These methods can be more whimsical, and may not be visually acceptable with certain types of art or in particular design settings.
Artwork can also be permanently attached to another surface for stability. This includes foam board, stretched canvas, and wood. This method can provide a very pleasant visual appeal, and a more unique presentation than traditional framing. On the down side, attachment to cheaper backings, such as foam board, can result in flexing over time, which could mar the overall look of the piece. The method of attaching the artwork to the backing material may also damage or reduce the value of the artwork, if a permanent method such as glue is used.
In the end, it is hard to argue against having your valuable artwork professionally framed. It is the best method of protecting your investments, and showcases the art strongly. The costs can be prohibitive, especially on large or oddly-sized pieces, but the cost of replacing or repairing your art, due to improper display methods, is even higher.
