Movie posters wrinkle when framed

[K07]

Help! Anyone here have any movie posters in their collection? What tips do you have to hang them in frames without them wrinkling? I have frames with a wooden back and plexiglass front. The sides are made of plastic. I have gone as far as putting removable sticky strips on the corners so it doesn't slip but I'm still getting wrinkles!

I've googled this but am not getting good answers so was hoping someone here might have a technique worth sharing. Most of my posters are just reprints and therefore worthless so I'm not worried about hurting their value. I just want them to look good on the wall. Thanks!

 

[CloudN]

I just let my posters wear and tear. Don't really want to frame them because that would be a hassle when I move.
I do keep the ones I really value in a mailing tube.

 

[TheReverend]

I just let my posters wear and tear. Don't really want to frame them because that would be a hassle when I move.
I do keep the ones I really value in a mailing tube.

So, you get 'em and don't enjoy 'em? No displaying?

 

[morbidaj]

the paper is expanding due to changes in humidity and temperature. if the frame is the exact size as the poster, there is no room for it to expand/contract. the only place it has to go is forward.. thus wrinkles/bubbling. this is how i understand it anyway.

the work around is getting a frame that is 1" bigger on all sizes.. and getting a mat for the new size.. with an opening that is a bit smaller than the poster.

I havent done this with my poster collection yet.. I have tons of off the shelf poster frames.

 

[CTO15]

you can always try to stuff the backing of the poster frame. So that the poster is tight against the plexiglass.

Another suggestion would be to get the posters dry-mounted, then framed. But if you have collectible posters, this is not a good idea.

 

[K07]

So, you get 'em and don't enjoy 'em? No displaying?

the work around is getting a frame that is 1" bigger on all sizes.. and getting a mat for the new size.. with an opening that is a bit smaller than the poster.

I hate that solution because I went and bought these more expensive frames my feeble research led me to believe were what I needed. I knew the cheap ones from Wal-Mart don't protect from UV light and the cardboard is full of acid and bad for the paper...

you can always try to stuff the backing of the poster frame. So that the poster is tight against the plexiglass.

Another suggestion would be to get the posters dry-mounted, then framed. But if you have collectible posters, this is not a good idea.

Stuff it with what? Online they suggest cardboard but the reason I went all out on these is cardboard's bad for paper! I've also read about people who have dry mounted getting wrinkles which just makes no sense to me if they're permanently stuck to the wood. I wouldn't mind doing that to the reprints so long as they truly will no longer wrinkle. I'd like to avoid it for my one of value if there's another way.

 

[DANNYSVA]

I use foamboard to keep my posters in place. Its a cheap and effective solution. A 20 x 30 foamboard sheet is roughly 2-3 dollars.

 

[K07]

I will have to give that a try. Sounds cheap enough to fix all my posters without dry mounting them. Thanks for the tip!

 

[morbidaj]

I hate that solution because I went and bought these more expensive frames my feeble research led me to believe were what I needed. I knew the cheap ones from Wal-Mart don't protect from UV light and the cardboard is full of acid and bad for the paper...

:.

Im with you. I have ALL of my frames from Michaels. I got "great" deals on them at 40% off. They are all crap. I didnt do my research as I assumed a frame is a frame.

I still havent done any custom framing yet, but its coming. My 27x41 stuff though, I may just get a UV plexi sheet and acid free backing.

 

[Legendary Hunter]

I used to have about 7 framed posters and they used to wrinkle like yours, but like Dannysva said, foamboard does seem to do the trick, but if you have autographed posters then be cautious as long periods of time with the signature pressed against the plexiglass will cause the autograph to be transferred onto the glass.

Good luck

 

[K07]

I used to have about 7 framed posters and they used to wrinkle like yours, but like Dannysva said, foamboard does seem to do the trick, but if you have autographed posters then be cautious as long periods of time with the signature pressed against the plexiglass will cause the autograph to be transferred onto the glass.

Good luck

Fantastic... My one poster of value is an original autographed one. What should I do for that?

 

[lars10]

Just use the top two corners for keeping it supported in the frame/against the plexiglass. That will let your poster expand and contract without generating the excessive wrinkles. Lets it breathe.

 

[K07]

Just use the top two corners for keeping it supported in the frame/against the plexiglass. That will let your poster expand and contract without generating the excessive wrinkles. Lets it breathe.

Wait... Securing the top two corners? With what?

 

[lars10]

Wait... Securing the top two corners? With what?

Pressure clips. The things that hold the backing snug against the poster and the plexi. The poster is sandwiched between plexi glass and foam board. Just don't put the clips down the side and on the bottom. There has been quite a few threads about this issue on movie poster collecting forums.

 

[jonny88]

Any Poster is impossible to keep perfect. l have a few posters in really nice frames and if you look very closely there may be a tiny wave here or there, nothing you can really do about it, depends how good the poster is when you get it (wavy, wrinkling). the plexiglass usually flattens them nicely.

 

[Sonic509]

Fantastic... My one poster of value is an original autographed one. What should I do for that?

I have several signed posters... Easy framing for me.. I just go take it to a professional

 

[Chapter 2099]

Fantastic... My one poster of value is an original autographed one. What should I do for that?

I have several signed posters... Easy framing for me.. I just go take it to a professional

I'd take Sonic509's advice. I have quite a few autographed pieces and I think the professional framing prices are worth it, in exchange for the piece of mind. I take all of my pieces to Michael's and have never had any issues. Everything has turned out fantastic.

 

[jonny88]

Why would you guys need to pay a professional framer for. can't you just buy a nice frame the same size as the poster? Michaels craft store have great ones.

I went to a framing shop once for a custom frame, they wanted $200 for a small frame, the hell with that.

 

[Chapter 2099]

Why would you guys need to pay a professional framer for. can't you just buy a nice frame the same size as the poster? Michaels craft store have great ones.

I went to a framing shop once for a custom frame, they wanted $200 for a small frame, the hell with that.

For me, it's a few things. I'm not a big fan of plexiglass (just personal preference,) and since I only get UV-resistant glass, I need a custom framer to order that for me. And then for a 'few bucks more', they'll provide a custom frame and matte. Then, they'll seal it, mount it, and finish it up. It's the glass that's the big expense, and that's not something that's offered right off the shelf.

It's definitely expensive. I don't disagree with that, but it gives me piece of mind. I've went the route in the past where I try to frame stuff myself, etc. etc. and I've learned too much from my screw-ups, so now, I said if it's worth something, get a professional or someone with more experience than I to do it!

 

[jonny88]

For me, it's a few things. I'm not a big fan of plexiglass (just personal preference,) and since I only get UV-resistant glass, I need a custom framer to order that for me. And then for a 'few bucks more', they'll provide a custom frame and matte. Then, they'll seal it, mount it, and finish it up. It's the glass that's the big expense, and that's not something that's offered right off the shelf.

It's definitely expensive. I don't disagree with that, but it gives me piece of mind. I've went the route in the past where I try to frame stuff myself, etc. etc. and I've learned too much from my screw-ups, so now, I said if it's worth something, get a professional or someone with more experience than I to do it!

I buy the really nice frames from Michaels. They are some what heavy thick black plastic, with a thick plexiglass that is not removable, so it doesn't bend or move around. They are $50 each, but with sales and coupons at certain times you can get them for $20 each.