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Similar to picture frames, poster frames display and protect your posters. Though most poster frames are comparable, they can vary slightly in terms of size, material, and other factors. To help you display your posters properly, the This Old House Team researched the best poster frames on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.
Compare Top Poster Frame
| Product | Quantity | Frame Color | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| upsimples Picture Frame Set | 5 | Black | 16 by 20 inches |
| Americanflat Poster Frame | 1 | White | 24 by 36 inches |
| MCS Studio Gallery Frames | 2 | Black | 27 by 40 inches |
| MCS Museum Poster Frame | 1 | Brown | 18 by 24 inches |
| Benjia Poster Frame | 1 | Brown | 20 inches |
| Product | Quantity | Frame Color | Size |
Pro Tip: If you’re hanging especially heavy framed posters or oversized prints, use a French cleat fastened into at least two wall studs for maximum security. This mounting method distributes weight evenly and keeps large frames flush against the wall—a technique the This Old House editors recommend for any substantial wall-hung piece.
When selecting a poster frame, consider using standard-size frames paired with mats for a more polished, gallery-quality look. As the This Old House team demonstrated when framing vintage WPA national park posters, downloading or printing images to fit standard frame sizes (such as 18 by 24 inches and 12 by 18 inches) with mats creates an eye-catching display without the cost of custom framing.
Top 5 Poster Frames
- Best Pack: upsimples Picture Frame Set
- Best Plexiglass Covering: Americanflat Poster Frame
- Best for Large Posters: MCS Studio Gallery Frames
- Best Thick Frame: MCS Museum Poster Frame
- Best Coverless Frame: Benjia Poster Frame
If you’re framing oversized prints or posters on a budget, consider making your own frames. As This Old House contributor Jennifer Stimpson notes, you’ll need prefinished molding, glass, mats, and foam backer board from a crafts or framing store—the upfront tool cost is still cheaper than having even a couple of pictures framed at a specialty shop, and you’ll use the tools over and over again.
Best Pack: upsimples Picture Frame Set
upsimples Picture Frame Set
- $45.99
- $66.99
- 31% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
When mounting a set of lightweight frames like these, consider using a French cleat system for a secure, level display—especially in high-traffic areas or kids’ rooms. As This Old House’s Jenn Largesse has demonstrated, a metal French cleat can withstand tugging and keeps frames firmly in place, and it makes it easy to remove or reposition them later if you want to change the look.
Key Features
- Comes in a five-pack
- Has a black frame
- Measures 16 by 20 inches
- Available in other sizes and colors
What Customers Are Saying
These poster frames were popular among Amazon shoppers, with many reviews noting their light weight, stylish look, and reasonable price. The frames did receive some complaints, though, with the most common one being about their coverings bowing outward slightly.
Best Plexiglass Covering: Americanflat Poster Frame
Americanflat Poster Frame
- $94.29
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes in a one-pack
- Has a white frame
- Measures 24 by 36 inches
- Available in other sizes and colors
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers called out this frame’s sleek design. Shoppers had mixed feelings on the frame’s durability, though, as some said that it held their poster securely, and others said that it didn’t.
Best For Large Posters: MCS Studio Gallery Frames
MCS Studio Gallery Frames
- $47.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes in a two-pack
- Has a black frame
- Measures 27 by 40 inches
What Customers Are Saying
These picture frames earned mostly positive reviews on Amazon because customers liked that they were elegant and large. However, considering their price, customers were disappointed with their durability.
Best Thick Frame: MCS Museum Poster Frame
MCS Museum Poster Frame
- $28.32
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes in a one-pack
- Has a brown woodgrain frame
- Measures 18 by 24 inches
What Customers Are Saying
This frame earned rave reviews on Amazon for its wood-like edges. Though fairly durable and lightweight, the plastic that most of the frame was made with was prone to scratches, according to dissatisfied customers.
Best Coverless Frame: Benjia Poster Frame
Benjia Poster Frame
- $16.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Comes in a one-pack
- Has a brown woodgrain frame
- Measures 20 inches
- Available in other sizes and colors
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked this poster frame’s unique design. The small selection of customers who left negative reviews claimed that they received a different size than they ordered. They didn’t like the strong odor of the wood pieces, either.
Buyer’s Guide
Don’t just choose the first poster frame that appears for your search. Instead, consider size, material, color, and other factors to make an informed purchase.
Size
Poster frames come in numerous sizes. Measuring your poster can ensure that you choose a suitable frame. You can either go with a frame that’s the exact size as your poster or one that’s slightly larger with an insert.
Material
The border and covering of your frame are likely going to be made of different materials.
Frame
Metal and wood frames are common. Wood and engineered wood are decorative, but they’re heavier, making them more likely to weigh down the hanging hardware and fall off the wall. Aluminum, bronze, and other metals are lighter and more industrial-looking.
Solid wood mills and carves into crisp edges, and hardwoods like oak and mahogany stain beautifully—their color and grain patterns add warmth to a room. However, wood can shrink and swell with changes in the weather, which may affect how snugly your poster sits in the frame over time. Engineered wood composites offer more dimensional stability at a lower price point.
Covering
Some frames don’t have a covering at all. However, most do, and they’re usually made of acrylic or glass. Glass is heavier and more prone to cracking, but it provides more clarity for looking at your poster.
Color
Poster frames don’t usually have much design to them, but they’re available in several colors. If you want your frame to match your other decorations, keep its color in mind.
Installation
You mount poster frames to your wall. Though this installation process is fairly straightforward, it does require some planning because you need a tape measure and level to find the right place and a hammer or screwdriver to secure the hardware.
When hanging frames on a wall, it’s more important to align them relatively parallel to the elements around them—such as a chair rail, wall corner, or door trim—than to check them strictly for level or plumb. Small deviations from true level are less noticeable than misalignment with nearby visual references.
Pro Tip: Mark Powers, host at This Old House, advises that consistent spacing is the key to a professional-looking display: “As long as you always keep the spacing between the frames consistent, the frames themselves can be any size you like.” Use a scrap piece of wood or cardboard as a spacer block to ensure even gaps between multiple poster frames on the same wall.
Before marking your wall for frame placement, lightly sand the area with 150-grit sandpaper and apply a coat of primer—this ensures a clean surface for any adhesive hardware and makes touch-ups easier if you need to reposition. For heavier poster frames, use an electronic stud finder to locate wall framing and secure your mounting hardware into studs where possible for the most reliable hold.
What Can You Hang in a Poster Frame?
Once you purchase a frame, it’s up to you what you want to display in it. Whether you’re adding color to your bathroom or putting the finishing touches on your man cave, here are some ideas for what you can hang in your poster frame:
- Drawings, paintings, and sketches
- Family photos
- Fashion posters
- Flags
- Leaves and flowers
- Maps
- Mementos
- Movie, music, and TV posters
- Notes and letters
- Political posters
- Stamps
Frequently Asked Questions
Are poster frames and picture frames the same items?
For the most part, yes. However, pictures are usually smaller than posters, so you may struggle to find a picture frame that’s large enough to fit your poster.
How do I frame a poster without wrinkling it?
There are several ways to prevent wrinkles, but one way is to fasten the poster to a piece of cardboard. Here are some step-by-step guidelines:
- Place double-sided tape on the backside of each corner of the poster.
- Stick the other side of this tape to the corners of a piece of cardboard that’s the exact size of the poster.
- Rest books or paperweights on the poster and cardboard for one or two days.
- Place the poster and cardboard in the frame.
What if I can’t find a frame that’s the size of my poster?
If you’re struggling to find a pre-made frame that fits your poster, search for an online frame shop that can make a custom frame to fit your poster’s exact size. Another option is to choose a larger frame that has an insert.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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