Cut some plywood slightly larger than your poster, stain it, and affix the poster to that!

These are perfect for your needs! http://www.magneticgrain.com/

You could have it custom framed affordably, just dont take it to a framing company. You'll want to source the individual parts yourself. If you know a carpenter or woodworker ask them to make you a simple frame that is recessed on the back to accommodate the glass and a sheet of chip board or cardboard. The only major tool required is a table saw. Contact a custom glass supplier in your area. Glass is an inexpensive material, a 3'x4' sheet recently cost me $20.

I don't have an alternative suggestion because I feel that if you care enough about it to post on AT it should probably be properly framed to protect it.

You could paint a "frame" on the wall around it to ground it.

We've opted to use little metal office clips (sometimes called bulldog clips) to hang our art we can't afford to frame (which is everything.) I prefer vintage clips if I can get them, but you can buy new ones. It's affordable and you can clip juuuust on the edge of the paper so if you do someday strike it rich and get it framed, you won't be able to see where you had it clipped before. I blogged about it just last week:

http://1500sqft.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/tuesdays-tiny-project-3/

You could do clips as the bottom as well if you are worried about your art flapping in the breeze.

Affix it to a canvas.

Utrecht Art makes frame pieces you can slot together to form a frame. All you have to do is find the pieces that best fit your poster, staple the frame, stain it, add matting (if you want), and find a backing.

Honestly, getting it framed might be easier if you're not confident in your skills or not sure what to do. Have you gotten a quote from a framer? I had a cheap poster that wasn't worth anything, but it was a weird size (and big). My framer took out this amazing wood frame and said it was one of the cheapest woods he could use, and even gave me a discount so I could stay under budget. It's worth working with local places if you can find one that values your business.

Why can't you frame it???? Good custom framers can frame almost anything. It's worth the expense if you love it.

I would choose one of the alternatives mentioned above, but don't do anything that will damage the print. Your financial circumstances may change or you might decide to save up for framing it.

Personally, I've had good results with micro binder clips on all four corners of a poster or print with small tacks in the wall to hold it in place. The loop on the binder clip goes over the tack so it's always taught and floats off the wall a little bit. I usually do this for a few months before framing something so I know I like it in my house.

If you affix it to wood or canvas make sure you research it so whatever you do is archival. If you still have the artists contact info you could email them for suggestions.

I have a ton of prints and was in the same boat as you, except I have several small ones I can't afford to frame right now rather than one large one. I left them in the plastic sleeves the artists used for packaging and hung them on the wall using tack nails painted to match the wall and mini silver binder clips affixed to the plastic, NOT the print. That may sound terrible but when everything is done in a uniform matching way it looks good.

I recommend hanging it in a way that will not damage the print in case you can afford it later in life. You can probably use some kind of archival tab or tape on the back of the piece to attach clips too, and then paint the wall behind to to 'frame' the piece as dhw suggests. Although uncovered you risk dust and damage to the print. Plexiglass is a cheaper option but it often looks bad in a large size.

What a great idea. Bit out of my price range (as usual) but I bet you could DIY something similar.

What a great idea. Bit out of my price range (as usual) but I bet you could DIY something similar.

What a great idea. Bit out of my price range (as usual) but I bet you could DIY something similar.

I have no idea why my comment got posted multiple times. What the heck is going on?

Posterhanger.com - we just used this product to hang a rather large poster. It was easy to hang/install and looks great.

How about mounting the poster to a piece of foam core? I'm not sure if you can get a piece the size you're talking about, but if you can't, create a frame to hold two pieces together (all with foam core). It's light and rigid and quite worthy of a poster. It's a great way to display maps (or sections of maps).

The problem I have with foamcore is that it's permanent and isn't resistant to moisture. If you live anywhere with high humidity, it's going to affect the foamcore and that might damage the poster.

I'm with those on not harming the poster for a temporary fix. Foam cor is somewhat doable; you can get a 40" x 60" piece (would be more than enough) or piece together a few 30" x 40" AND use clips; don't glue! Then, if you've got the room, for a little bit more, get 2 or 3 bare bones display easels and set the poster on them; as close to your wall space as possible. It will keep it from looking like tacked on dorm decor a little bit more. As someone said, Utrecht or other should be able to help you with these supplies that won't set you back too much.

Oof. That is a large poster!

A word of caution - if you display it without using UV-blocking glass or plexi, it WILL fade. Direct sunlight, incandescent, fluorescent and ambient light will all cause fading. Ever noticed how terrible posters in veterinarian's offices look? They are all faded to light blue. (I don't know why, but vet offices seem to be the worst!)

The question is... do you want to display it or protect it? Because unless you frame it, you can't do both.

I framed a 3' x 4' poster relatively cheaply by ordering the frame from americanframe.com, using scrap cardboard as the mounting board, and buying a 3' x 4' sheet of clear acrylic from a local plastics shop in philadelphia, everythingplastic.net. the shipping for the acrylic would've been really expensive, which is why I turned to a local place.

Our local craft store sells a frame you can put together yourself. They sell different lengths of frame where you just pick out the two sizes you need for the length and width and put it together yourself; it even comes with the hardware. We just framed a similarly odd shaped piece and it took about 10 minutes to assemble. The cost of the framing, with glass and mat board was about $60.

i have a similar problem with some reproductions of vintage travel posters. i wanted to frame them, but it was really expensive. so i decided to dry-mount them, which was much cheaper and looks better than thumb tacks.

I know this isn't the answer you probably want, but I agree with others, it sounds like such a unique, amazing piece. If you're going to have it for awhile, why not invest in framing it? Yes, it will be expensive up front, but you won't regret it and you'll know that the poster is protected and won't get ruined over time/through moves. Especially at this time of year, stores like a.c. moore, joanne's, and other big box craft stores have HUGE framing sales. In fact, i just printed out a 70% off coupon for custom framing this morning. Just keep your eyes posted and go into these stores during a quiet time (ok, maybe not right before xmas) to pick out framing and mat options that can make it affordable. Save that info, wait for the coupon and then go for it. There are a lot of options and if you keep it simple it might just be affordable enough! Good luck!

some of these suggestions are really great!

There are several reasons why I don't want to frame it as of right now. We are not settles in a house where I feel we'll be for a long time, and the idea of moving such a huge piece of glass intimidates me, and the cost of having it framed according to the several framers I've talked to are not something that fits into my husband's and my budget at the moment, but mostly I can't frame it because the wall where I would like to hang it isn't a normal wall. It's cinderblock behind a sort of plywood stuff left from finishing part of a basement, so trying to anchor something that heavy on it would be a challenge.

Some of these suggestions are great. I like the idea of hanging it from clips. I think clothespins could look interesting with that idea.

Thanks!

Sounds like you really love this poster and want it displayed yet you say "....there is no way I will ever be able to afford to frame it, nor WOULD IT REALLY MAKE SENSE TO DO SO". I ask why? If you really love the art, I suggest start saving for it. I have a print from Michael Parkes that sat in it's 'roller' storage for years because I couldn't afford to have it framed professionaly. Then I thought."'l'll never be able to afford it if I don't save for it." It now hangs beautifully in my bedroom and I have no regrets. If you opt for an alternative, you may never be happy with it. Put a few dollars away each pay period and before you know it, you'll have the funds. Here in Southern California, we have CHEAP PETES. They do custom frame jobs alot cheaper than the most framing stores but their options are limited. Good luck.

Michaels Crafts and AC Moore Crafts stores do framing and their weekly ads usually have a coupon for 40%-60% off framing jobs.

I'd get any poster I loved professionally framed. Have it mounted on fomecore, perhaps with a reversible adhesive, but even a permanent one would work for me. Get a simple, inexpensive but attractive frame, no mat, and glass or plexiglass (which weighs less for large items.) UV protective if possible. Then it becomes a work of art you can keep for a long time without damaging it or looking dorm room.

If you can't afford this even with the discount, another possibility is getting pre-cut metal frame segments (gold or silver or black, probably) either from a frame shop or craft store, get glass cut to order, and cut your own backing material (fomecore is best because it's light weight) and assemble everything yourself. (I was an art student and later part of an artist's co-op gallery. This is how many of us prepared work for display and sale. I personally find it fiddly and annoying, though, so now I'd rather skip a couple of lattes and pay someone else to do it for me!!)

If you really love this poster, please think about the effects caused by sunlight and mounting/matting materials that contain acid that will eventually stain the print. No scotch tape or masking tape, no cheap mat board for foam-core.

There are plenty of places online where your can purchase custom made metal frames that aren't that expensive, with UV protective plexiglass and acid-free mat board.

American Institute for Conservation - Caring for Works on Paper

Without knowing if your poster has a plain border (if you were to frame it) or not, if it doesn't, I'd avoid clothespins as they may dink the paper. Also, fwiw, sometime ago bought a pkg of wood clothes pins from Wart-Mall; they're barely strong enough to hold a hand towel. They don't make 'em like they used to I guess.

If it's a poster you're sure you're not going to get tired of in a few years AND if it isn't common/would be hard to replace, then yeah, hold off, save your $$$, scout around for a good framer etc.

I'm a framing novice - only recently have I felt that I can afford it. Now I have a couple of posters and a couple of smaller prints that I'd like to frame.

For those who suggest coupons from AC Moore, Michaels, etc: if you buy off the shelf frames, do those offer UV protection? Or do you have to use their framing shops and specify UV protected?

Thanks for the input!

ask around (friends, frameshops, plastic mfrs) , maybe you could find a piece of used uv plex for cheap, you might have to live with some scratches, but your art will be protected. if you love the print, i would def go the uv route, and for something so large use plex. getting an unfinished frame made might not be so pricey, you could then paint it yourself. it also would be best to not smash the print against the glazing, but for a while it's ok - it's more likely for moisture to get trapped in there & cause problems than if there is some airspace.

My suggestion is to have it framed at a craft store, which is much cheaper than a specialty framing shop. Ask for plexiglass instead of real glass, then display the poster leaning against the wall like some people would lean a large mirror. Later if you can afford it and live in a different home, you can replace the plexiglass with real glass and actually hang it.

i have used bulldog clips also. you can protect the art by folding a piece of heavy acid free paper around the sheet first. heavy drawing paper works great.

I'd leave it alone until you CAN frame it. A piece of art that you love is an investment and should be treated as such, in my opinion. Spend the money to protect it by getting it framed. A lot of times you can get half-price custom framing at big box hobby stores. Just this past weekend I took three black and white vintage photographs in to a local hobby store to be framed. The total to frame and mat (sp?) them was ridiculous (even with the half price frames)...but I splurged on museum quality glass which makes THE difference in protecting them and viewing them. These three pieces are pictures that I will probably want to display for years and years and years to come. And to me, having them protected and displayed to their best advantage is worth the cost.

Just my two cents.

Glad you're thinking of going with the clips - they're very fashionable and will work fine for a while. When you do eventually frame it, DON'T mount it to foam core. @jennd0718 and @Pi are correct - it comes with too many problems and pitfalls. And DON'T mount with glass - a 5'-long stretch of glass is too heavy and will easily shatter with one accidental elbow. Use plexi - our framer recommended it for any piece over 2'.

I did professional framing for about two years at a local framing shop and I can honestly tell you, Michaels is probably one of the poorer options for framing. They add in extra fees during their "50% to 60% off" sales so they are rarely the deals they seem. Your best bet, if you want to do framing at all, is to find a smaller local shop. A good framer will work with you to find the best option for what you want to pay, whether that be just mounting the piece on foamcore or even using a store bought frame with custom cut glass and mat to better preserve the piece.

But framing CAN be expensive, so clips and other options can work great too! I'd talk with someone in the business to get an idea first, because if it's a great piece, you'll want it to last!

If you're still interested in framing it, and if you (or a friend) have a Costco membership, I get all my framing done there. It's consistently cheaper than any local framer and blows Michael's prices out of the water. I just got a 18X24 poster dry mounted there for $25 and have gotten oddly-shaped (though much smaller than your poster - say, 12X20) posters framed for around $40 before. They've done a great job and the prices were within my budget- no idea what your budget is but maybe that could help?

Go to MomaStore.org and search for Poster Hangers approx $22-$26 per set. Have had a set for years.
2 plain metal tubes which you can slide on both ends of a poster. Works great.

I wouldn't go with the big stores like Michaels. The company got into some trouble recently due to false advertising on its framing services and in my experience, it charges a lot, and the coupons are sort of an illusion. Like I said in my last post, if you find a local framer who is going to value your patronage, he or she will be willing to work with you. My local framer's quote for the poster I got framed was only about $30 to $40 more than Michaels was with coupons.

Also, unless you live in @LowLevelRebel's town, you're obviously not going to get the same staff members at your local Costco. YMMV in that regard.

When hanging art shows on the cheap, I've used rare earth magnets attached to nails. It moves the paper away from the wall and gives a nice clean aesthetic. Simply, hammer the nails into the wall where the corners of the poster would be, place the poster on the head of the nail and attach your magnets. Easy, quick, and cheap. You can find the circle magnets probably at Home Depot, I know I've seen them on amazon too. They just look like little circle magnets.

I agree with finding a smaller, local framing shop. I got a huge 4' x 3' poster framed at one. They had a 25% off sale on framing every few months. The people in the framing department were, I think, artists (it was an art supply shop as well), with a great eye for matching a frame to a piece of art. They found an affordable frame for me and the poster looks great.

You don't have to get glass. I think there are Plexiglass options available. Then you could just lean the framed poster against the wall, or prop it up a piece of furniture if you don't want it on the floor.

If you really love it, you should be able to look at it every day. And you should also protect it.

I like the art in the picture. Where did it all come from?

Two pieces of plexiglass, sized to your poster + 1" all around, Drill holes at the four corners and get some fancy screws to hold it together. DONE!

Two pieces of plexiglass, sized to your poster + 1" all around, Drill holes at the four corners and get some fancy screws to hold it together. DONE!

Cacao,

This sounds like an awesome idea. Thanks for sharing :)

Wow! @Cacao - I love the magnet/nail idea! That never would have occurred to me, frankly. Hmm, I have a small beaded Haitian fabric piece that I've been wondering how to hang appropriately. Wonder if that tactic would work for it...? ...

I love modestalmond's idea! My son has an oddly sized poster and we've been trying to figure out what to do.