Hanging · Updated September 2026
How to Hang a Poster
Framed or unframed, rental or not: the method that fits each poster, with the weight ratings 3M actually publishes instead of guesses.
By the Austin Gallery editors · September 24, 2026
The quick answer
Unframed paper poster: Command Poster Strips, rated by 3M for items up to 1 lb, on a clean, smooth painted wall. Framed poster with acrylic: Command Picture Hanging Strips rated above the frame's weight, or two picture hooks. Framed with glass, or anything valuable: hooks or screws, not adhesive.
Every method, and what it actually holds
The rule that matters: an adhesive product holds what its maker rates it for, on the surface its maker says it works on, and nothing more. Where a product has no published weight rating, treat it as a light-duty option.
| Method | Rated to hold | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Command Poster Strips | 1 lb, per 3M | Unframed paper posters on smooth painted walls |
| Mounting putty | No published rating | Light paper posters, short term |
| Wall-safe or washi tape | No published rating | Very light posters, rentals, dorms |
| Magnetic poster hanger | One small nail or hook | Unframed posters you swap often |
| Command picture strips | 10 to 20 lb by pack, per 3M | Framed posters with acrylic, flat backs |
| Picture hooks or nails | Hook's own rating | Any framed poster, heavy glass frames |
Ratings are 3M's published figures for Command Poster Strips (1 lb) and the pound ratings 3M prints on its Medium (10 to 12 lb depending on the pack), Large (15 to 16 lb) and X-Large (20 lb) Picture Hanging Strip packs, each when used with the number of pairs the package specifies.
Hanging an unframed poster
Poster strips: the default for paper posters
Command Poster Strips are small double-sided adhesive strips designed for paper posters, and 3M rates them for items up to 1 lb, which covers any unframed paper poster. Put one strip on each corner, and for a 24 x 36 add a couple along the long edges so the poster does not bow. Press each one for 30 seconds. To remove, pull the tab slowly straight down along the wall; pulling outward is what takes paint with it.
The strip sticks to the back of the poster, so treat this as a method for posters you could replace. It can lift the paper surface when removed.
Mounting putty and wall-safe tape: light and temporary
Putty like Loctite Fun-Tak and tape like Scotch Wall-Safe Tape are made to come off walls cleanly, and neither carries a published weight rating for posters. They work for light paper posters in a dorm or a rental, for a while. Putty can leave a greasy mark on paint and on the poster over time, and tape loses grip in humid rooms. Use small loops of tape on the back, never tape across the front.
A magnetic hanger: the one that protects the poster
A magnetic poster hanger clamps the top and bottom edges between two wood rails and hangs from a cord on one small nail or adhesive hook. Nothing sticks to the poster, the bottom rail keeps it flat, and swapping posters takes seconds. It is the best unframed option for a poster you care about, and the least visible hole in the wall.
What not to do
Pushpins through the corners tear the poster and leave four holes in the wall. Duct tape and packing tape pull paint and stain paper. Double-sided carpet tape is effectively permanent. Hot glue is permanent. Any of them is fine on a poster you will throw away, and wrong for anything else.
Hanging a framed poster
A frame changes the math, because frames weigh several pounds and the glazing decides how much. An acrylic-front 24 x 36 poster frame is light; the same frame with real glass is heavy enough that adhesive is the wrong answer. Weigh it on a bathroom scale before you choose.
Picture hanging strips, within 3M's rating
Command Picture Hanging Strips interlock like hook-and-loop fastener, one side on the frame, one on the wall, and 3M sells them by rating: Medium at 10 to 12 lb depending on the pack, Large at 15 to 16 lb, and X-Large at 20 lb, each when you use the number of pairs the package calls for. Pick a rating comfortably above the frame's weight. 3M's own instructions rule out wallpaper, hanging above a bed, and valuable or irreplaceable items, and its products need paint that has cured for at least 7 days. Clean the wall with rubbing alcohol, not a household cleaner, and let it dry.
Hooks, nails and screws: the default for anything heavy or valuable
For a glazed frame, a large frame, or a poster you would hate to see fall, use metal. Two picture hooks set level carry a large frame better than one, and keep it straight. For drywall, match the hook or anchor to the weight; our how much weight can drywall hold guide lists what nails, anchors and toggles hold. The tools that make it quick, from a level to a stud finder, are in tools for hanging art like a pro, and the best picture hanging systems covers rails and cleats for a wall you rearrange.
What we would use
Poster hanging supplies worth buying
One product for each method on this page. Prices were checked on Amazon on September 24, 2026 and move often; links go to Amazon with our affiliate tag.
Command
Command Poster Strips, 64 Strips
Made for unframed paper posters. 3M rates them for items up to 1 lb.
$10.99 · Check price on Amazon
Command
Command Medium (10 lb) Picture Hanging Strips, 16 Pairs
For a framed poster with acrylic. The 10 lb rating is 3M's, used as the package directs.
$12.56 · Check price on Amazon
Command
Command 20 lb X-Large Picture Hanging Strips, 16 Pairs
3M's highest picture strip rating, for large frames that are still under 20 lb.
$10.39 · Check price on Amazon
FALAMON
FALAMON Magnetic Poster Hanger, 24 in Wide, Teak
Clamps an unframed 24 inch wide poster top and bottom and hangs from one small hook.
$20.99 · Check price on Amazon
Scotch
Scotch Wall-Safe Tape, 3/4 in x 650 in
A tape made to come off painted walls; for the lightest posters only.
$3.59 · Check price on Amazon
Where and how high
Center a poster around 57 to 60 inches from the floor, and keep it out of direct sun, which fades poster inks fast. Over a sofa or desk, leave 6 to 8 inches between the furniture and the bottom edge. Our guides to how high to hang art and gallery wall spacing cover sets of posters.
If it deserves a frame
The surest way to hang a poster without damaging it is to frame it, because then nothing sticks to the paper at all. Our best poster frames guide covers every standard size including 27 x 40 movie posters, and how to frame a poster walks through the job, including what to do differently with a valuable one. Not sure of the size? Check the standard poster sizes chart.
Frequently asked questions
How do you hang a poster without damaging the wall?
For an unframed paper poster, use Command Poster Strips, which 3M rates for items up to 1 lb, or wall-safe tape for a very light one. For a framed poster with acrylic, use Command Picture Hanging Strips with a rating above the frame's weight. Clean the wall with rubbing alcohol first, press firmly, and remove strips by stretching the tab straight down along the wall, never by pulling outward.
How do you hang a poster without damaging the poster?
Do not put tape, putty or pushpins on the front, and avoid putting adhesive on the back of a poster you want to keep, because it can stain or tear the paper when removed. A magnetic hanger or a frame protects the poster best. For a valuable poster, frame it with archival materials.
Can Command strips hold a framed poster?
Yes, if the frame weighs less than the rating on the pack and the wall is smooth and painted. 3M sells picture hanging strips rated from about 10 lb (Medium) to 20 lb (X-Large) when you use the number of pairs the package calls for. 3M's instructions say not to use them on wallpaper, above beds, or for valuable or irreplaceable items.
What is the best way to hang a heavy framed poster?
Two picture hooks or screws set level, into a stud or rated drywall anchors, with the frame hung from D-rings or wire. A 24 x 36 frame with glass is too heavy for poster strips and worth hanging from two points. Our drywall weight guide lists what each anchor holds.
Why do my poster strips keep falling off?
Usually one of four reasons: the wall was not cleaned first, the paint was too fresh, the wall is textured, or the poster is heavier or larger than the strips are rated for. 3M says its products need paint that has cured for at least 7 days and a clean, smooth surface.
How high should I hang a poster?
Center it around 57 to 60 inches from the floor, the eye-level standard galleries use. Above a sofa or desk, leave 6 to 8 inches between the furniture and the bottom of the frame. Our guide on how high to hang art covers the exceptions.