How-to · 6 min read

How to Hang an Acrylic Print

A 10-minute job, done right the first time. This is the no-tricks version - including the one trick (paper template) that prevents 90% of redos.

Short version: Measure 57″ from the floor for the centre of the artwork. Use the included paper template to mark anchor positions. Drill, anchor, screw in the standoffs, slide the print on. Total time: 10–15 minutes.

What you'll need

1. Lay it on the floor first

Before you measure anything on the wall, place the print on the floor directly below the planned hanging position. Take a photo from above. Look at it. Is the placement actually right? If you have furniture nearby, does the print's size feel proportional?

This 30-second step saves the largest single category of regret: realising the print is too small or too low only after you've drilled the holes.

2. Find the right height

The museum standard for art-hanging height is 57 inches from the floor to the centre of the artwork. This isn't arbitrary - it matches the average eye-line of standing adults, and most art galleries and museums use exactly this measurement.

Two common exceptions:

3. Use the paper template

Every print ships with a paper template marking the exact standoff positions. Tape it to the wall at your planned position using painter's tape (it won't damage paint).

Step back across the room. Look at the template from where you'll usually see the print. Is the position right? Move the template if not - it's far easier than moving holes.

Now use a spirit level (or your phone's level) along the top edge of the template to make sure it's level. Adjust until perfect.

4. Mark and drill the anchor holes

With the template level and taped in place, mark each anchor point through the template with a pencil. Remove the template.

Drill at each mark using the bit size matched to your anchors (usually 1/4″). Drill straight in - angled holes make the standoffs sit crooked.

Studs: for prints up to 20×30, drywall anchors are plenty. For larger sizes, hitting a stud is a safe upgrade - use a stud finder before drilling.

5. Insert the anchors and drive the standoffs

Push the drywall anchors into the holes until flush. Insert the standoff screws and drive them in - most kits use a Phillips or hex screw with the standoff post pre-attached.

The standoff post protrudes about 1″ from the wall - this is what gives the print its floating effect.

6. Mount the print

Slide the print onto the standoff posts. The post passes through pre-drilled holes near the corners of the panel.

Tighten the front caps by hand - finger-tight only. Over-tightening can crack the acrylic. The cap should feel snug, not aggressive.

7. Step back and check

From across the room, check level. If it's slightly off, the front caps allow tiny adjustments before they're fully tight.

Take a photo from the same position you took the "floor layout" photo. Compare. The wall version should look like the floor version - that's how you know you got it right.

Mistakes to avoid

If you mess up

Wrong hole? Don't worry - drywall is forgiving. Fill with standard spackle, sand flush, touch up with matching paint. Five-minute fix. The print floats 1″ off the wall, so it covers any small imperfection in the immediate area.

FAQs

Do I need to find a stud?

For prints up to 20×30, the included drywall anchors are rated above the print weight - no stud required. For 24×36 and 30×40, hitting at least one stud adds safety margin.

Can I hang an acrylic print without drilling?

Not with the included floating-mount hardware. Adhesive strips (Command, etc.) are not recommended for acrylic prints above 11×14 - the weight exceeds most adhesive ratings, and removal can pull paint.

How heavy are the prints?

Rough weights: 8×10 = 1 lb · 11×14 = 2 lb · 16×20 = 4 lb · 20×30 = 7 lb · 24×36 = 10 lb · 30×40 = 14 lb.

Can I hang on a brick or concrete wall?

Yes - swap the drywall anchors for masonry anchors (sold separately). Drill with a masonry bit.

What if my wall is plaster or lath?

Plaster walls (often in older homes) can crack at drill points. Use a sharp masonry bit at low speed, and use plaster-rated anchors. Drilling through plaster takes more care but is doable.

Read next

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