How to hang a poster without damaging it: 5 methods

Updated September 16, 2026 — by César, editor at AestheticPoster

To hang a poster without damaging it, the simplest way is to use the adhesive strips that come with each AestheticPoster: four strips on the back, a clean and dry wall, no holes. For a more gallery-like look or a fragile wall, a frame remains the best option; thumbtacks, adhesive putty, and picture rails cover the rest of the cases.

Key takeaways

• Adhesive strips included: each poster comes with its own adhesive strips — hung in 2 minutes, no tools or drilling needed.
• The wall matters more than the method: matte and clean paint = adhesive; textured plaster, brick, or textured wallpaper = frame or picture rail.
• 250 g/m² matte paper with PVC coating: the poster won't warp and can handle adhesive; just let it flatten for 24 hours if it arrives rolled.

The 5 methods, from simplest to most durable

How to hang a poster with the included adhesive strips?

1. Flatten the poster if it arrives rolled: 24 hours under a few books is enough (full method in our guide to flatten a rolled poster). Gluing a still-curved poster guarantees the corners will lift.
2. Clean the wall with a dry or slightly damp cloth, then let dry. Dust is the number one cause of peeling.
3. Stick the strips to the back of the poster, one per corner, 1 cm from the edge. On an XL (60×84 cm), add a strip in the middle of each long side.
4. Mark the position before gluing: a small pencil line at the top edge at the right height (the center of the poster at about 1.50 m — details in at what height to hang a poster).
5. Apply from top to bottom pressing each strip for a few seconds. If the poster is crooked, gently peel it from a corner and try again: on smooth paint, the strips leave no trace.

On a wall painted in matte or satin finish, this is the method I recommend in 9 out of 10 cases. It reaches its limits on textured plaster, brick, textured nonwoven wallpaper, and very humid bathroom walls: in those cases, use a frame.

When to prefer a frame?

A frame protects the paper (dust, fingerprints, UV if the glass is treated) and gives the poster a presence that adhesive doesn't, especially above a sofa or in an entryway. At AestheticPoster, each poster can be ordered directly framed (black, white, light wood, or dark wood frame, sized to fit, ready to hang). If you already have a store-bought frame, check the inner dimensions: a 30×40 cm frame won't hold an M poster (42 cm tall) — our guide to IKEA-compatible frames lists which ones work, and how to frame a poster details glass, matting, and assembly.

To hang the frame itself: an adhesive hook for an M frame (under 1 kg), a screw and anchor suited to your wall (drywall, brick, concrete) starting with a framed L size.

Mistakes that damage a poster

• Tape on the printed side: it tears the coating when removed. Always secure from the back.
• Adhesive putty in direct sunlight: it softens, slides, and leaves a halo. A wall in full sun deserves a frame — and ideally away from direct light (see protect a poster from the sun).
• Gluing on freshly painted walls: wait at least a week, or the adhesive will lift the paint.
• Stretching the poster by hand while gluing: it marks. Lay flat, press, never pull.

FAQ

How do I hang a poster without making holes?

Use double-sided adhesive strips on the back of the poster (included with each AestheticPoster) on a clean, dry, and smooth wall. For a framed poster, an adhesive hook will support an M frame; beyond that, a screw is safer.

How do I hang a poster without damaging it?

Don't glue anything to the printed side, secure only from the back (adhesive or hinges in a frame), let the poster flatten for 24 hours before hanging, and avoid damp walls or direct sunlight. A poster hung this way comes off without tearing.

Do adhesive strips leave marks on the wall?

Not on smooth, matte, or satin paint, if the wall is clean and dry when applied and if you peel slowly, pulling downward. On delicate wallpaper or old paint, test a strip first in a hidden corner.

All our posters come with adhesive strips and are available in framed versions: see the full collection.

César, editor at AestheticPoster — the most common mistake I see: gluing a poster fresh out of the tube. One night under some books, and the corners will never lift again.