Hanging your artwork

So you’ve selected your piece, along with the frame size and finish, now you have to hang it. This guide explains how to prepare for your order as well as step-by-step instructions for hanging.

Once you’ve placed your order, within three weeks your Affiche poster will arrive at your door - thus, giving you a window of time to gather the supplies you need to hand your frame when it arrives. The good news is, many of you will have these items around the house. 

All of our frames are finished with framer’s tape and stainless steel hanging wire - meaning with a few supplies and a place to hang, your work is ready to go as soon as it arrives.

 

 

Here’s what you need if your wall is plasterboard or timber panelling: 

• Hammer 
• A nail or wall hook
• Measuring tape or ruler 
• Pencil 
• Spirit Level (or just a sharp eye) 

Note: If you're hanging on plasterboard, you may want to use a hollow wall anchor or toggle that expands and spreads the pressure when installed. Our frames weights are: medium 2.5kg; large 6kg. Though most of our frames are suitable to hang on picture hangers in plaster, please double check weight restrictions for your wall and choose an appropriate hanging method accordingly.

 

Here’s what you need if your wall is brick: 

• A drill with a masonry bit 
• A plastic wall plug 
• A screw  
• Hammer 
• Measuring tape or ruler 
• Pencil 
• Spirit Level (or just a sharp eye) 

 

Where to hang your frame?

If you’re hanging just one frame (especially larger frames) consider other objects in the room, such as furniture, so that you can anchor the poster to it. You want your piece to become a part of the space, as opposed to sitting smack-bang in the middle of a wall which can look isolating and so reduce its impact.

Any frame should sit approximately 1.5 meters off the ground or at eye level, allowing for comfortable admiration of the piece. Though we use UV protectant, museum grade plexiglass to protect your work from fading, we also recommend that you avoid hanging pictures in direct sunlight or near heat sources so as to protect from any unnecessary damage. 

 

 

Mark up the wall

Once you’ve decided upon formation and placement, it’s time to measure up.  

1. Establish ‘eye level’ or 1.5m off the ground, position your frame so the middle of the frame aligns with this point.

2. Mark the top corner. 

3. Measure half the frame width to find the centre point and mark it. 

 

4. Pull the hanging wire up in the centre so it is taut (to mimic it hanging from that point).

5. Measure the distance from the top of frame to the wire.  

6. Lower your centre mark by this amount. This marks where you will add your fixing.

Note: If you’re hanging on to plasterboard, first locate a stud by rapping knuckles along the wall until you feel and hear a solid backing. A stud is an upright piece of timber in the wall of a building to which plasterboard is nailed. This will provide the sturdiest spot to hang your frame. If you’re well-equipped you can also use an electronic stud finder for accuracy. If you can’t find a stud we suggest you use a hollow wall anchor or toggle that expands and spreads the pressure when installed.

With a hammer:  

• For timber or plasterboard over a stud, simply nail into the ‘X’ mark. 
• If you are using a picture hook, hammer the hook into the wall so the bottom of the hook is directly aligned with your ‘X’ mark. 
• Hang your frame, ensuring the wire is securely rested onto the nail or hook. 
• Step back and adjust the frame so it looks level to the eye. 
• You can also use a leveller if you have one handy. 

With a drill: 

• Drill a hole into your ‘X’ mark with a masonry bit (a masonry bit is a drill bit designed to drill through concrete, brick and stone). 
• Hammer in a plastic wall plug (this is to better secure your screw as the plug will expand tightly to the wall material).
• Insert your screw into the wall wall plug. Drive it in. 
• Hang your frame, ensuring the wire is securely rested onto the screw. 
• Step back and adjust the frame so it looks level to the eye. 
• You can also use a leveller if you have one handy. 

Of course if you’re after something less committal, there’s no hang options too - like positioning your smaller frames on a shelf or even leaning your larger frame against a wall for a more casual look. These can look just as good as a frame that’s been hung! 

 

 

We know that ‘drill bits’, ‘wall plugs’ and ‘studs’ can sound like another language for those of us who aren’t DIY inclined, but we promise it’s simpler than it sounds. It’s also worth taking the time to do it right, before committing with a hammer and nail. 

As always, send us an email at hello@affiche.com.au if you have any questions otherwise call up your most practical mate and have them help you out. What are friends if they can’t lend a hand (or a hammer)! 

This journal post has been brought to you in partnership with Fini Frames.