How to Make Unique Wall Art From Posters

Artwork to display on your walls can be pricey. If you have posters that you like, but don’t want your walls to look like a teenager’s bedroom, there are ways to display them with style. Make unique wall art from posters by adding custom frames or adhering them directly to the wall to match the paint and room decor. Add sparkling embellishments for an eye-catching way to reflect the light in the room.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Wooden canvas stretcher
• Paint or stain (optional)
• 4 clothespins
• Craft wire
• Scissors
• Thumb tacks
• Double-sided adhesive sheets
• Self-adhesive craft gems
• Shadow box frame

1. Wooden Poster Stretcher

   • 1
     Measure your poster and add 3 inches to the length and 3 inches to the width, to determine the size of wooden canvas stretcher needed. A wooden canvas stretcher is made from thick, 1- to 2-inch-wide pieces of wood that fit together in the corners to make a sturdy frame. They are available at art supply stores and some craft stores.
   • 2
     Cut four 8-inch piece of craft wire. Thread the wires through the round metal joints in the center of the clothespins. Place the wires above the clothespins, so the mouths of the clothespins face down. Twist a 2-inch section of the wires together.
   • 3
     Place the stretcher face down on a flat surface. Attach the twisted wire from one of the clothespins to one of the back corners of the stretcher with a thumbtack. Stick two more thumbtacks in the wires to secure. The clothespin will hang down 3 inches. Attach the remaining clothespins to the other three corners of the stretcher.
   • 4
     Turn the stretcher over and clip the poster inside it with the clothespins. The poster appears suspended inside the wooden frame.
   • 5
     Mount the wooden stretcher to the wall or suspend it with strong wires from hooks in the ceiling.

   Adhere Directly to the Wall

   • 1
     Cut the poster so that just the main focal points are left. For instance, if you have a poster of a car with the open road behind it, cut out just the car and the road. Turn the poster over so the picture is facing down.
   • 2
     Add the double-sided adhesive to the back of the poster. Begin at the top left corner and apply an adhesive sheet. Apply as many sheets as needed to cover the entire back of the poster.
   • 3
     Stick the poster directly to the wall. The poster will appear to be part of the wall paint. If you have more than one poster, stick them to the wall spaced evenly apart.

   Add Sparkling Gems

   • 1
     Take your poster to an office supply store with copy-making services. Have your poster copied to make a black and white replica.
   • 2
     Lay the poster flat. Add self-adhesive craft gems to the poster. If the poster features daisy flowers, for example, stick the gems to the center of the blooms. Highlight one item on the poster and cover it with colored gems.
   • 3
     Paste the poster to black picture matting. Frame the poster inside a shadow box frame to give the appearance of more depth to the wall art.