How to Frame and Hang Prints

'Heatwave in the Cold North' print. Pink and yellow with 'there's a' (top), 'in the cold north' (bottom) in pink, 'HEATWAVE' over three lines in large text in pink in the middle - a sunshine in the centre. Against tiled wall. Colour Combo 4. MaadWeb.

Ever bought a gorgeous print and then left it sitting around because you weren’t quite sure what to do with it next? You’re not alone – we’ve all been there. I’ve currently got three A3 prints waiting to be framed, and this is what I do!

In this post, How to Frame and Hang Prints, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to frame and hang prints – without the faff, frustration or a single bit of “this’ll do”.

Whether it’s a bold song lyric that gets you going in the morning, a cheeky quote that made you laugh out loud, or a football chant that gets sung in your living room more than on the terraces, I’m here to help you do it justice on your wall.

TL;DR: A good frame and the right placing can make all the difference – I’ll show you how to do it properly and painlessly.

Table Of Contents

Why Framing Matters
Choosing the Right Frame
Mount or No Mount?
Glass or Acrylic?
Where to Buy Good Frames
Tools You’ll Need
The Hanging Bit – Step-by-Step
Gallery Wall Goals
Avoiding the Common Mistakes
Conclusion
FAQ
FURTHER READING….
A Few of Our Products…

'Foxy Lady, You Look So Good' print. How to Frame and Hang Prints

Why Framing Matters

Let’s be real – a bare print stuck on the wall with Blu-Tack might’ve worked at uni, but these days we’re going for “intentional and stylish”, not “that’ll do”.

Framing isn’t just about protecting your print (though it does that too) – it’s about showing it off. It turns a piece of paper into a piece of art. It makes your space feel more pulled together. It says, “Yeah, I’ve got taste – and I know how to use a hammer.”

Also, you’ll have seen something that caught your eye and made the purchase – surely you want to get it put up on display as soon as you can. Being stuck in a drawer for six months is a complete waste!

Choosing the Right Frame

There are no strict rules here – just good guidelines (and a bit of common sense).

Consider the print’s vibe:

Bold, modern prints (like our football chants or retro lyrics) look great in black or oak frames.
Minimalist or monochrome prints? White frames or light wood keeps things clean and scandi-chic.
Bright or playful prints (like our “Ay Up Me Duck” or anything pink and shouty) can be paired with coloured or metallic frames if you’re feeling brave.

It’s all about contrast and balance. If the print’s busy, keep the frame simple. If the print is simple, the frame can add the flair.

And remember: size matters. An A4 print in a frame with a mount can suddenly look like an A3 statement piece. (More on mounts below.)

'Bostin' print. Peach with a yellow stripe across the middle with 'Bostin!' in blue cartoon text - the 'O' is replaced with a smiley face. Birmingham, West Midlands-inspired regional wall art. Colour Combo 4. On apartment wall 2. MaadWeb.

Mount or No Mount?

A mount is a thick border (usually white or off-white) that sits between your print and the frame. It can totally change the look of your artwork.

Pros of a mount:

Adds breathing space around busy designs
Makes smaller prints feel bigger and more polished
Keeps the print from touching the glass (important for longevity)

When to skip it:

Your print already has a built-in border
You want a bold, edge-to-edge look
The frame’s already chunky and you don’t want it to overpower

Look at our “Live Forever” print with a black mount and a chunky white frame, it transforms the design completely – simple, striking, and seriously cool.

'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' Print. Pink with a subtle disco ball and the words 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' in blue, yellow and purple with a black shadow. In busy bedroom. Colour combo 7. MaadWeb.

Glass or Acrylic?

Here’s the lowdown:

Glass: Heavier, more scratch-resistant, often used in shop-bought or bespoke frames. But can be reflective in bright rooms.
Acrylic (sometimes called perspex): Lightweight and shatterproof. Great for kids’ rooms or renters. Just be gentle when cleaning – it can scratch.

If you’ve got a sunny room or spotlights, consider non-reflective glass. It’s not always cheap, but it makes your print pop without the glare.

'And Down the Waterfall' Print. Beige with a blue border, an abstract waterfall of various blues in the centre. 'And down the Waterfall Wherever it May Take Me I Know That Life Won't Break Me' in black on the top. Colour Combo 1. On apartment wall. MaadWeb.

Where to Buy Good Frames

We get asked this a lot, so here are a few go-to favourites:

MaadWeb – That’s right – right here! We offer frames on all of our prints – if you can’t see it on the listing, get in touch and we’ll update the listing for you.
IKEA – Their RÖDALM and LOMVIKEN ranges are classics. Affordable, decent quality, easy to hack into gallery walls.
Dunelm – Underrated! They’ve got a solid selection of sizes and colours.
Wilko / B&M – Great if you’re on a budget or want something simple.
Habitat – A little more expensive, but stylish and well-made.
Local framers – Perfect for special pieces or weird sizes. You’ll support a local business too.

If you’ve bought one of our prints – they fit standard UK frame sizes, so no faffing around with custom cuts (unless you’re feeling fancy).

'Dakota' Print. Off-white background with the word 'Dakota' in alternating blue and red letters, and 'You Make me feel like the one' in blue. Stereophonics 'Dakota'-inspired music lyric wall art. Colour Combo 1. On living room wall. MaadWeb.

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need to turn into Nick Knowles. Just gather a few basics:

Spirit level (or the Measure app on your phone – game changer – or read this)
Pencil (don’t use a pen – your walls will thank you)
Tape measure
Drill or hammer
Screws and wall plugs (for heavy frames)
Command strips (for renters or commitment-phobes)
A brew and a biscuit (100% essential)

Bonus if you’ve got a pal to help. Hanging prints solo = lots of stepping back, squinting, and muttering. Check out my complete guide to hanging prints here.

'I Know It's Only Rock 'n' Roll But I Like It' print. Top half pink, bottom half blue, with the words 'I Know It's Only... But I like it' in off-white, retro font, and the words 'Rock 'n' Roll' in yellow wavy text across the middle. Colour Combo 8. On kitchen wall. MaadWeb.

The Hanging Bit – Step-by-Step

Let’s break this down.

Choose your spot

Stand back and hold the frame up. Move it around. Trust your gut, but also consider:

Eye level is roughly 145cm from floor to centre of the print
Above furniture? Leave about 15–20cm of space above it

Mark your wall

Measure where the hanging hooks are on the back of the frame. Mark this on the wall with a pencil. Double-check it’s level – then triple-check.

Drill (or stick)

Use screws and wall plugs for anything heavier than 1kg.
Lightweight frame? Command strips are magic. Just follow the instructions and wait the full hour before hanging.

Hang it up

Pop it on the wall. Take a step back. Do the gallery nod. Now take a photo and send it to your mates with “finally did it”.

Gallery Wall Goals

You’ve seen them on Pinterest and Instagram. You’ve wanted to do one. Here’s how.

Start with a theme

Music (album art, lyrics, gig posters)
Sport (your club, retro shirts, chants)
Humour (the funnies)
Travel, cities, personal photos

Plan your layout

Lay the prints on the floor. Try different shapes:

Grid (neat and tidy)
Organic (clustered, balanced chaos)
Linear (perfect for hallways)

Use templates – cut paper the same size as each frame and stick them on the wall with Blu-Tack. Move them around ‘til it looks just right.

Top tip: Keep 5–8cm between each frame. Too far apart and they look lost. Too close and it’s a jumble.

'Flowers' Print. Blue-Yellow gradient background with a retro style flower in green, yellow and blue and the words 'I Can Buy Myself Flowers' in green with flower detail. Miley Cyrus Wall Art. On apartment wall. Colour Combo 7. MaadWeb.

Avoiding the Common Mistakes

Here’s what not to do:

Hanging too high

It’s the most common mistake. If your prints are nearly touching the ceiling, it’s time for a rethink. Centre of the frame should be around eye level.

Skipping the level

A tiny tilt will drive you mad every time you walk past it. Get the level out.

Using the wrong fixings

Heavy frame + Command strips = sad thud in the middle of the night. Trust us. If in doubt, screw it.

Rushing the job

Don’t wing it. A bit of measuring now saves time (and wall repairs) later.

Conclusion

So there you go, everything you need to know about how to frame and hang prints.

Framing and hanging your prints isn’t just the final step – it’s when the magic happens. It’s when your art stops being “something I bought” and starts being “something that lives here now”.

Whether it’s a bold lyric, a quote that feels like you, or something that reminds you of home, it deserves pride of place – not life in a drawer or curled up behind the sofa.

So go on – grab that frame, find that spot, and get your walls saying something about who you are.

PS: Got one of our prints on your wall already? Snap a pic and tag us on Instagram – we love seeing where they end up. Or sign up for our newsletter for new designs, DIY tips, and the odd bit of nonsense.

Shop now and give your room the glow-up it deserves!

FAQ

What kind of frame should I use for my print?

It depends on the style of the print – bold, graphic designs suit black or oak frames, while minimalist or monochrome pieces work well with white or light wood. The frame should complement the artwork, not clash with it.

Should I use a mount (border) inside the frame?

A mount can elevate your print by giving it breathing space and making it look more polished. It’s great for smaller prints or busy designs. That said, you can skip it if your print already has a border or if you prefer a modern, edge-to-edge look.

What’s the best way to hang a print on the wall?

Measure your space, aim to hang at eye level (around 145cm from the floor to the centre of the frame), and use a spirit level to keep things straight. Use screws and wall plugs for heavier frames, or Command strips for lightweight ones and rental-friendly hanging.

Where can I get decent frames in the UK?

IKEA, Dunelm, Habitat, Wilko and B&M are all great for off-the-shelf options. For something extra special or non-standard sizes, try a local framer.

What are the most common mistakes to avoid?

Hanging too high, skipping the level, using weak fixings, or not planning your layout properly. Take your time – a few extra minutes measuring now saves you wall-filler later!