Should You Frame Posters Yourself or Use a Professional?

A good frame can make an affordable poster look like a finished piece of art. The difficulty is deciding whether to frame it yourself or pay a professional.

For most ordinary art prints and posters, DIY framing is the better choice. It is affordable, relatively easy and can still produce a professional-looking result. Professional framing becomes worthwhile when a piece is unusually sized, valuable, sentimental or difficult to replace.

Here is how to make the right decision for your artwork and budget.

The short answer

Choose DIY framing when:

• The poster has a standard size.
• It is inexpensive or easy to replace.
• Your budget is around £20–£30 or a similar amount in US dollars.
• You want a simple black, white, wood-effect or metal frame.
• You do not mind spending a little time measuring and mounting it.

Choose professional framing when:

• The artwork has unusual dimensions.
• It is an original, limited edition, signed, sentimental or irreplaceable piece.
• It needs conservation-grade materials.
• You want a custom mount, specialist glazing or a particular frame design.
• You are worried about damaging it during mounting.

The price of the print is not the only consideration. A modestly priced print that cannot be replaced may deserve better protection than an expensive print that can easily be reordered.

Why DIY framing makes sense for most posters

The biggest advantage of DIY framing is cost. A standard ready-made frame can fit comfortably within a £20–£30 budget. As a current UK example, IKEA lists several 50 × 70 cm frames between approximately £9 and £30. In the US, frames around 19¾ × 27½ inches are available for roughly $17–$30, although prices can change. These are useful reference points rather than universal price guarantees. See the current selections from IKEA UK and IKEA US.

DIY also gives you flexibility. If you redecorate later, you can replace an inexpensive frame without feeling that you have wasted a large investment.

The main limitation is that ready-made frames are designed around standard dimensions. DIY is simplest when the print and frame already match. Once you need a custom mount, an unusual frame depth or specialist protection, the project becomes more complicated.

How to choose a frame that looks professional

Choosing the frame is often harder than physically assembling it. A useful rule is to match the frame to the artwork before matching it to the room. Your furniture or wall colour may change, but the print and frame should continue to work together.

• Choose a thin black frame for colourful, graphic or contemporary artwork.
• Try white when the print is light, minimal or surrounded by generous white space.
• Use a natural wood effect to make an illustration or softer artwork feel warmer.
• Consider a slim metal frame for a clean, modern appearance.
• Avoid a heavy decorative moulding unless it suits the character of the art.

A mount—called a mat in the US—can make an inexpensive print look more considered. The extra space separates the image visually from the frame. Remember that the mount opening is smaller than the frame’s full capacity. Check both the external frame size and the stated image or mount-opening size before buying.

Measure the artwork, not its description

Do not assume that a poster described as “A2” or “18 × 24” is perfectly accurate. Measure the physical sheet.

Measure its width and height in at least two places. Posters can be trimmed slightly unevenly, and older paper may change shape. If the print has a white border, decide whether you want that border visible before selecting the frame.

UK buyers commonly encounter metric sizes such as A4, A3, A2, 40 × 50 cm and 50 × 70 cm. US frames commonly use inches, including 11 × 14, 16 × 20, 18 × 24 and 24 × 36 inches. A metric poster will not always fit neatly into the nearest imperial frame—or vice versa.

If the dimensions do not match a standard frame, you can buy a larger frame and order a custom-cut mount, order a custom-sized DIY frame, or take the print to a professional framer. The first option is often the best compromise for a replaceable print. For a difficult-to-replace piece, professional help is safer.

How to mount a poster straight

A slightly crooked poster inside a straight frame is surprisingly noticeable. Fortunately, you can avoid it without complicated equipment.

1. Work on a large, clean and dry surface. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Place the frame face-down on a soft cloth to prevent scratches.
3. Remove the backing and glazing, then clean dust from inside the glazing.
4. Position the print against the backing or mount.
5. Measure the space on the left and right, adjusting until the measurements match.
6. Repeat at the top and bottom.
7. Secure the print using an appropriate reversible method.
8. Check the front before closing the frame.

For an inexpensive, replaceable poster, photo corners or suitable archival mounting tape can help keep it in position. Avoid ordinary sticky tape, masking tape, glue or permanent spray adhesive on anything you care about. These can stain the paper and make later removal difficult.

How to hang the finished frame straight

Mounting the print correctly and hanging the frame correctly are separate jobs.

Before making a hole, mark the intended top and centre of the frame with low-tack painter’s tape. Measure the distance from the frame’s top edge to its hanging point, then transfer that measurement to the wall. Use a spirit level rather than judging the angle from the ceiling or furniture, because floors, ceilings and shelves are not always perfectly level.

Two attachment points are often more stable than one because they reduce sideways movement. The appropriate fixings depend on the frame’s weight and wall material. Plasterboard or drywall, masonry and timber walls require different hardware. Always check for hidden pipes and electrical cables before drilling.

When professional framing is worth it

The artwork is unusually sized

A non-standard print can look awkward in a poorly matched frame. A professional can create a frame and mount around its exact dimensions while keeping the borders visually balanced.

The piece is difficult to replace

This is the strongest reason to use a professional. A rare print, original work, signed edition or piece with sentimental value should not be treated as a practice project.

It needs conservation framing

Paper can be damaged by light, unsuitable adhesives, acidic backing boards and contact with glazing. The Library of Congress preservation guidance recommends chemically stable materials, conservation-quality matboard, appropriate hinging, UV-filtering acrylic and enough separation to prevent the artwork from touching the glazing. It also recommends keeping framed paper away from direct sunlight, radiators, vents and damp or unstable environments.

UV-filtering glazing reduces risk but does not make sunlight harmless. The Northeast Document Conservation Center advises displaying works on paper in subdued lighting even when UV-filtering glazing is used.

You want a complicated presentation

Floating mounts, deep frames, double mounts and tightly coordinated finishes are possible at home, but mistakes become more likely as the design becomes more complicated. Professional help can save time and wasted materials.

Two realistic examples

Imagine you buy a 50 × 70 cm open-edition art poster for £18. It is a standard size and can be reordered. A simple ready-made black or wood-effect frame is likely to provide the professional appearance you want without exceeding a modest budget. This is a sensible DIY project.

Now imagine you own a signed print measuring 43 × 67 cm. It is not a standard size, and the edition has sold out. Squeezing it into the nearest frame, trimming it or fixing it with ordinary tape would create an unnecessary risk. A custom frame, conservation mount and reversible mounting method would justify the additional expense.

The difference is not simply cheap art versus expensive art. It is low consequence versus high consequence.

Questions to ask a professional framer

• Are the mount and backing materials acid-free and conservation quality?
• How will the artwork be attached?
• Will the mounting method be reversible?
• Will the artwork touch the glass or acrylic?
• What level of UV protection does the glazing provide?
• Is the quoted price fully inclusive?
• Can the frame package be opened later without damaging the artwork?

A good framer should be able to explain the materials and methods clearly.

Final verdict

You do not need professional framing for every art print or poster. If the piece has standard dimensions, is replaceable and is mainly decorative, DIY framing offers the best balance of affordability, ease and appearance. Careful measuring, a simple frame and a properly centred mount can create a polished result.

Use a professional when the artwork is unusually sized or difficult to replace. Professional framing also makes sense for original, signed, valuable or sentimental pieces that require conservation-grade protection.

If a framing mistake would be inconvenient, try DIY. If it would be genuinely upsetting or impossible to correct, use a professional.