A good frame should do two things: make the poster look brilliant on the wall and leave the original poster unharmed underneath it.
That second part matters. Original posters are paper objects, sometimes more than a century old, and poor framing choices can cause fading, staining, rippling or permanent adhesion. Conservation framing is about avoiding those problems without turning your home into a museum.
We frame posters because we want to live with them. The goal is protection, reversibility and a finished piece that still feels like the poster rather than a frame with some artwork inside it.
Use Conservation-Quality Materials
Materials in direct or close contact with an original poster should be suitable for long-term conservation. Acidic backing boards and low-quality mounts can discolour paper over time.
At Printed Originals, our framing service uses conservation-grade, acid-free materials and barrier boards so the poster is protected within the frame.
Choose Glazing With UV Protection
Light is one of the biggest long-term risks to works on paper. UV-protective glazing helps reduce damaging ultraviolet exposure while allowing the poster to be displayed.
No glazing makes a poster invulnerable to sunlight, so we would still avoid hanging an important original where it receives strong direct sun for hours every day.
Glass or Acrylic?
Both can be appropriate depending on the size, location and specification. Acrylic is lighter and much safer for shipping large framed works; specialist glazing can also provide excellent clarity and UV protection. The key is the quality and protective properties of the material rather than assuming one category is always superior.
Ideally, the poster should not be pressed directly against the glazing either way. A mount, spacer or appropriate framing construction creates separation and reduces the risk of condensation or the paper adhering to the glazing over time.
Mounts: Visual Choice and Practical Protection
A surrounding mount can give a poster breathing room visually and physically. We tend to favour simple treatments that let the artwork do the work, but the right choice depends on the poster.
Some pieces look fantastic floated or framed close to the edge; others benefit from a generous white mount. Conservation requirements should guide how the poster is secured.
Reversibility Matters
One of the most important principles in framing collectible paper is that the process should be reversible wherever practical. You should be able to remove the poster from the frame in the future without discovering that it has been glued permanently to a board.
That matters for conservation, future reframing and resale. The frame is temporary. The poster is the object we are trying to preserve.
What About Folded Posters?
Original fold lines do not need to be erased to make a poster worth framing. Many cinema posters were issued folded, and the folds are part of their history.
If you prefer a flatter presentation, professional linen backing can reduce the visual prominence of folds and stabilise the sheet. It is a conservation decision rather than a requirement — more on this in our conservation & restoration guide.
Framing Very Large Posters
Large formats — French Grandes, Italian 2-Fogli and 4-Fogli, Three-Sheets and oversized advertising posters — need more planning. Frame strength, glazing weight, wall fixings, access and shipping all become more important.
They can also be spectacular. A large original poster has a presence that is difficult to reproduce at smaller scale, because it was designed to command attention in a public space.
Choosing the Frame Itself
We usually start with the artwork rather than the room. Black, white and natural oak are popular because they work with a huge range of posters, but walnut, metal, gilded and other mouldings can be right for the right piece.
A 1930s French lithograph does not necessarily want the same treatment as a 1980s sci-fi One-Sheet. There are no universal rules; the best frame should support the design without competing with it.
Where to Hang an Original Poster
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight.
- Avoid damp rooms or locations with large humidity swings.
- Keep valuable works away from direct heat sources.
- Use appropriate wall fixings for the finished frame weight.
- For very large or valuable pieces, consider professional installation.
Printed Originals Bespoke Framing
We offer bespoke framing for posters purchased from us and can also frame posters you already own. Our standard options include black, white and natural oak, with other mouldings available, and our framing is designed around conservation materials and reversibility.
Visit our Framing Service page for current options, materials, lead times and ordering information.
Frame Your Poster With Us
See our current bespoke framing options, materials and lead times.