How to Hang Prints Straight without a Level

'I'll Be There For You' print. Yellow with an offset concentric circle pattern in brown, yellow and orange and the words 'I'll Be There For You' in tall brown font. Colour combo 7. Against tiled wall. MaadWeb.

Have you ever hung up a print, stepped back to admire your handiwork, and instantly realised… it’s wonky? You tilt your head, squint a little, and try to convince yourself it’s fine. But it’s not fine. It’s mocking you. And now, every time you walk past it, you can’t unsee the slight slant. Learning how to hang prints straight without a level is a life-saver for any home decorator.

Not everyone has a spirit level lying around (and let’s be real, who wants to dig through the chaos of the ‘random tools drawer’ just to find one?). But don’t worry – you don’t need fancy DIY equipment to get your prints hanging straight. Whether you’re decking out your office with lyrics from your favourite band, putting up a print that makes you laugh every time you walk past, or carefully curating a gallery wall, these tricks will get your prints straight without the faff.

Table Of Contents

1. The Trusty Tape Trick
2. The 'String and Something Heavy' Trick
3. The 'Step Back and Squint' Method
4. Use Your Phone's Level (But Not the Obvious Way)
5. The 'Paper Template' Trick (for Perfectionists)
6. Use Two Nails for Stability
7. Cheat With Command Strips
Bonus Tricks
Final Thoughts
- Shop now and give your room the glow-up it deserves!
FAQ
FURTHER READING….
A Few of Our Products…

'Are You Dancing? Are You Asking?' 'I'm Asking. I'm Dancing' twin set prints. Pink and blue with the words in opposite colours in retro circus-style font with yellow highlights. On apartment wall. Colour Combo 3. MaadWeb.

1. The Trusty Tape Trick

Got some masking tape or painter’s tape? Perfect. This trick works like magic, especially if your print has two hooks or command strips on the back.

Here’s how it works:

Tear off a strip of tape that’s a bit longer than the width of your print.
Stick it along the back of the frame, right where the hanging points are.
Mark where the hooks or nails should go with a pen.
Peel the tape off and stick it on the wall at the height you want the print.
Hammer in the nails or pop your screws in exactly where you marked them.
Remove the tape, hang your print, and step back in triumph.

This trick saves you from the ‘oops, that’s not quite right’ scenario, meaning fewer unnecessary holes in the wall.

2. The ‘String and Something Heavy’ Trick

This one sounds a bit like something your grandad would do, but trust me, it works. All you need is a bit of string and something small but weighty – like a key, a ring, or even a chunky paperclip.

Here’s what you do:

Hold the print up against the wall where you want it.
Take a step back, maybe even two, and see if it looks right.
Adjust until it feels balanced.
Lightly mark where the top corners should go with a pencil.
Hammer in your nail, stick up your adhesive strips, and hang your print.
If it’s slightly off…just nudge it. Nobody’s judging.

It’s a simple, old-school trick, but it’s great for making sure prints are properly centred – especially when hanging above furniture.

'It's A Brum Thing' print. Off-white with brown and turquoise circle and the words 'It's A Brum Thing #0121' in brown with a shadow and two hearts. Birmingham West Midlands-inspired wall art. Colour Combo 5. On apartment wall. MaadWeb.

3. The ‘Step Back and Squint’ Method

Kill 'Em With Kindness pop art print framed above sofa in living room, colourful modern wall décor

Sometimes, the best tool is your own eyeballs. If you’re fairly confident in your ability to eyeball things (or at least make minor adjustments without making things worse), this method is for you.

Here’s how:

Hold your print up roughly where you want it.
Tape a piece of string to the top centre of the frame and let it dangle down.
Attach your chosen weight to the end so gravity does its thing.
Adjust the frame until the string hangs dead centre.
Lightly mark the top corners with a pencil, then hang your print there.

Bonus tip: If you struggle with this kind of thing, get a second opinion. Grab a mate, your partner, or even bribe your teenager with snacks to help you adjust it while you stand back and shout, ‘Left a bit! Right a bit!”

'Kitchen Disco' print. Step-by-step guide on how to hang prints straight without a level featuring the Kitchen Disco yellow art print on a kitchen wall.

4. Use Your Phone’s Level (But Not the Obvious Way)

Most smartphones have a built-in level, but trying to balance your phone on top of a frame? Yeah, that’s a disaster waiting to happen. Instead, do this:

Open your phone’s level app (on iPhone, it’s in the Measure app; on Android, you might need to download one).
Place your phone on a hardcover book with a straight edge.
Hold the book against the top of your frame and adjust until the bubble is centred.
Mark the top of the frame position, then hang your print there.

No dropped phones, no cracked screens, just straight prints.

5. The ‘Paper Template’ Trick (for Perfectionists)

If you’re planning a gallery wall or just want everything looking ultra-crisp, this method is a lifesaver.

Here’s what you do:

Cut out pieces of paper the same size as your prints.
Stick them to the wall using Blu Tack or painter’s tape.
Adjust them until the layout looks just right.
Mark where the nails or adhesive strips should go.
Hang your prints in place of the paper.
This way, you can move things around without making a mess of your walls first.

'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.

6. Use Two Nails for Stability

If all else fails…cheat with command strips.

If you rent or just hate making holes in the wall, command strips are your best friend. They also make it easier to adjust your print without the ‘whoops, that’s too high’ regret.

Stick the stripes on the back of your print.
Press the print onto the wall and hold for a few seconds.
Step back – if it’s a little off, peel it off and adjust before pressing firmly again.

No holes, no hassle, and no risk of your landlord giving you the side-eye.

'Ay Up Me Duck' print. Yellow with pink text and black shadows and an illustration of a cute duck with crosses for eyes. Regional dialect wall art. Yorkshire. Colour combo 3. On green apartment. MaadWeb.

7. Cheat With Command Strips

There’s no point in having stunning prints if they’re hidden in the shadows like a moody film scene. Natural light is great, but avoid direct sunlight unless you want your prints to slowly fade into oblivion. If you have a particularly dark spot, a picture light or some well-placed lamps can make a huge difference.

Consider LED spotlights or wall-mounted picture lights for a museum-like effect. Soft, warm lighting works best to avoid harsh glare.

Bonus Tricks

1. The ‘Hairdryer Trick’ (for Easy Repositioning)

Ever put a print up with adhesive strips and then realised it’s slightly off? Instead of yanking it off and potentially damaging the wall, try this trick:

Use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to warm up the adhesive.
Once it’s warm, gently peel the print off the wall.
Adjust and reapply the strips for a second attempt.

This makes repositioning easier without ruining your paintwork!

'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. On desk with plant. Colour Combo 4. MaadWeb.

2. The ‘Sticky Tack Safety Net’

If your prints tend to shift slightly over time, a tiny blob of sticky tack on the bottom corners of the frame will hold them in place. No more wonky prints every time someone slams a door!

3. Embrace the Imperfection

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, that print might still end up a tiny bit off. And you know what? That’s okay. Homes aren’t meant to look like perfectly curated showrooms. A slightly wonky print just adds a bit of personality.

If you want to distract from a minor imperfection, try adding other decor elements around it – a trailing plant, a nearby lamp, or a stack of books. It’ll create a balanced look even if the print itself isn’t mathematically perfect.

Final Thoughts

Getting prints to hang straight without a level isn’t some impossible task. Whether you use the tape trick, the string hack, or just rely on your gut feeling, you don’t need a toolkit to make your walls look amazing.

So, if you’ve got a new print ready to go up – whether it’s a lyric from your favourite song, a football chant, or something that makes you laugh – try thes tricks. Your walls (and your slightly obsessive need for things to be straight) will thank you. And remember, even if it’s slightly off, it just adds character, right?

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

FAQ

How do I hang a print straight without a level?

You can use several tricks, like the masking tape method, a string and weight for alignment, your phone’s built-in level, or simply stepping back and adjusting by eye.

What’s the easiest way to get my print straight?

The masking tape trick is one of the easiest and most accurate methods. Just tape along the back of the frame where the nails should go, mark the spots, then transfer the tape to the wall and hammer in your nails.

How can I make sure my prints don’t tilt over time?

Use two nails or screws instead of one, or apply a small piece of sticky tack to the bottom corners of the frame to keep it stable.

What if I mess up the placement of my print?

If you’re using adhesive strips, a hairdryer can help loosen them for easy repositioning without damaging the wall. If you’re using nails, fill the hole with a little toothpaste or wall filler before trying again.

Can I use my phone instead of a spirit level?

Yes! Place your phone on a flat object like a hardcover book, then hold it against the top of your frame to check alignment before marking the wall.

How do I plan a gallery wall without making too many holes?

Cut out paper templates of your prints and tape them to the wall first. Adjust the layout until it looks right, then mark where to hang each frame.

What’s the best way to hang prints in a rental without damaging the walls?

Command strips are a great option, as they allow for easy repositioning and removal without leaving marks.

Is it okay if my print is slightly wonky?

Absolutely! Homes aren’t meant to be perfect showrooms. If your print is a little off, embrace the character – or add nearby décor like a plant or a lamp to balance the space visually.