Poster Mounting vs. Framing: What’s Better for Your Space?

Poster mounting makes a poster flat on a rigid board and forms a frameless, non-glare, light weight display, while framing involves gluing a poster on a frame, mat and glass for a traditional appearance and surface protection. Opt for mounting in modern spaces, bright rooms and tight budgets. When you're framing items for formal situations or things of value, you must select the appropriate framing.

You have a poster that you like. Perhaps it's a concert poster, a travel map, a movie poster or something you grabbed years ago. It's rolled in a tube, or secured to a wall with tape, and it's deserving of better.

The most popular enhancements are framing and mounting. They both add a lot of character to a thin sheet of paper, but they have distinct differences in their appearance, their price and in the spaces they fit into. Here is a comparison of the two side by side to help you make your decision.

What Is Poster Mounting?

Poster mounting is the last step in finishing the printed poster, in which a printed poster is glued to a hard backing board. The edges are cut clean, and the object is now able to hang or display without frame or glass.

The whole print is supported at the back, which makes it flat. No curling at the corners, no rippling and no sagging in the middle. The poster is the focal point and there is no object between the poster and the viewer.

What Is Poster Framing?

Framing methods involve placing the poster in a frame, typically resting on a mat and surrounded by a glass or acrylic. The frame serves to support the poster and the cover will prevent it from being dusted and handled.

Prints have been traditionally framed for a long time and it is suitable for formal and finished presentation. Another option is to coordinate a frame with the hues and design of a space.

Poster Mounting vs. Framing at a Glance

Feature	Poster Mounting	Framing
Look	Flat, frameless, modern	Traditional, with border and optional mat
Glare	None, since there is no glass	Possible, depending on the cover
Weight	Light	Heavier, especially with glass
Cost	Generally lower	Generally higher, especially custom
Protection	Sturdy backing, exposed surface	Cover protects the surface
Best for	Bold, contemporary display	Formal, classic display

None of these is the correct answer all of the time. The option that is better will depend on the poster, the room and your usage..

When Poster Mounting Is the Better Choice

You want a clean, modern look

Mounting enables the artwork to stand alone. The colors and details are in front and center with no border and glass. It works well in the modern home, studio and office because it is a minimal design.

You’re working with a budget

The price of custom framing can quickly add up, particularly on large posters. Installing is also less expensive, which means that you can hang more pieces without breaking the bank. Perfect to fill an entire wall or hallway.

You’re dealing with glare

Glass has the potential to reflect light back at you, making it difficult to view the poster when placed near a window or under bright light. A mounted poster does not have a cover that reflects light, which means that it can be clearly read from any angle.

You need something lightweight

Mounted posters are lighter than framed posters and can be easily hung, moved and rearranged. This is useful for the renters, if you want to change the look of your room, and for large sizes, where a glass frame is too heavy and cumbersome.

You want a flat poster that stays flat

Typically posters are made from thin paper and will curl and ripple over the years. The whole surface is supported and is smooth thanks to the mounting.

You’re decorating a workspace, studio, or shared area

Mounted posters will last a long time in high traffic areas such as offices, classrooms, gyms, retail locations, etc. They are neat, they can be easily hung and they won't shatter with fragile glass.

When Framing Is the Better Choice

You want a traditional, formal presentation

The right frame and mat will lend a poster a gallery atmosphere. An occasion can be created with framing in a limited edition print, vintage print or artwork in a formal living room or office.

This surface must be protected by a protective covering.

The surface needs a protective cover

The poster is protected from splashes, fingerprints and dust by glass or acrylic. For delicate, valuable and/or sentimental items, or where the piece will be placed in a high traffic zone where it may be touched, a cover provides added security.

You want to match existing decor

A frame is a structural feature that is used as a design element. A poster could be integrated into the overall decor of a room with wood, black, white, or metal finishes; mats provide space around the poster.

The poster is an original or collectible

Many collectors like to frame rare or valuable posters with archival materials and a protective cover. Prior to deciding how to display a piece if it has any real value, talk with a professional.

How to Decide: Questions to Ask Yourself

Go through these questions and you will generally get your answer:

1. What is the room in? Mounting is often appropriate for modern and minimal spaces, and framing can be appropriate for traditional spaces.
2. What is the amount of light that strikes the wall? Attaching to bright rooms is a good argument in its favor as there is nothing to battle with the glare.
3. What’s your budget? Mounting helps you spread out several posters.
4. What is the area of the poster? Mounted pieces are light and large sizes get heavy and costly in glass frames.
5. What is the value of the piece? If the poster is collectible or otherwise not replaceable, it may be warranted for additional protection by a frame.
6. With whom will it be surrounded? A robust mounted object with no window to shatter is preferred for busy areas and inquisitive youngsters.
7. Do you wish to alter the design later? Lightweight mounted posters can be easily removed and replaced.

Can You Combine the Two?

Yes. Mounting and framing do not necessarily mean polar opposites. If a more finished look is desired, a mounted poster can be enclosed in a frame; the rigid backing will prevent the print from curling up inside the frame. This will result in a nice, supported poster with the look of a frame.

It's also great for gallery walls, where you could combine mounted and framed items of varying sizes to create a layered and personal effect.

Tips for Getting the Best Result

Regardless of which type of route you take, a few habits will make a difference:

• Use a good file as a start. A high resolution and sharp image will always look better than a small or compressed image.
• Find out how much space you have. Draw paper cut-outs on the wall BEFORE you make a commitment. People tend to be surprised by the quality of larger posters.
• Check the crop. Avoid placing critical information (such as text and faces) at the margins.
• Consider the light. Glossy and matte finishes will have a different look in certain light sources in certain rooms.
• Bathrooms, damp basements, and sunny windowsills are major killers of prints.
• Dust gently. Use a mild, dry cleaner, and avoid strong cleaners.

For a clean, light, no-glare and affordable display, there's nothing like mounting. Framing is the more suitable option for a special piece or those that require a traditional appearance or surface protection. And if you are in doubt, then you have the best of both worlds.