Print Your Own Posters

Step 1: Getting Started

Ever wished your favorite underground band sold posters? Or have a recent obsession with an old movie whose merchandise is a collector’s item over 30 years old and going for over $50 on Ebay? With a quick Canva edit, Adobe render or scroll on Pinterest, you can hand-pick your image and create a poster the way you imagined! 

Step 2: Where (and How) to Print Your Own Posters

If you haven’t already, check out your local print and copy shop! If you’re a University of Oregon student like me, you can find my favorite print spot, (conveniently called The Copy Shop), at the corner of 13th and Patterson street. The Copy Shop offers a variety of services, ranging from wide format printing to vinyl decals. Though packing and shipping chains like FedEx are known to provide reliable everyday services, finding local print shops with more specialized services can inspire new projects and support local businesses. Plus, local shops often have discounts for students and are a great way to engage with the off-campus community. When printing with a shop, you can customize your print down to the size, finish and even request your print be trimmed to fit specific measurements. The Eugene location also offers banner printing, sticker making and heat transfers, all of which could help create custom merchandise to level up your clubs, Greek chapters or student organizations. You can find out more information on The Copy Shop website, here. Since discovering The Copy Shop my sophomore year, I have been back more times than I can count to print resumes, class projects and custom gifts for family and friends. 

Back to the posters. 

Step Three: Framing. 

While I think most posters can stand on their own, (and am often too impatient not to tape them up the same day I purchase them), framing your wall art is a simple way to really elevate your space. However, frames are expensive. Mats are expensive. But neither of these things should stop you from displaying your art. With a bit of time and dedication to the sometimes-janky but very rewarding process, you can mat and frame your own art without breaking the bank. The best way to source inexpensive frames that match your taste is to thrift them. A trip to your local Goodwill or picking up a few $5 framed works from garage sales are wonderful places to look for frames at a fraction of the cost. Some frames come with mats, which you can swap out or repurpose. If you’re looking to do your own matting, bulk craft stores and discount department stores carry large sheets of poster paper in a variety of colors, texture, weights and patterns that can serve as makeshift mats for your artwork. The mat is not always necessary, but a wonderful way to bring some interest to your walls and make the piece more intentional. I suggest playing around with striped cardstock or a non-neutral color paper when trying out different matting. (You can always change this later.)

Step 4: Hanging and Displaying

Now for the fun part…putting the poster up! If your thrifted frame is in good condition, you should be able to display it with a few nails. But if your frame is missing some wiring or requires reupholstering, it may be a good idea to break out the command strips. For heavier pieces, I’ve found that the velcro command strips are the surest way to secure your frame while staying renter-friendly. It’s also fun to play with height and dimension, propping up framed artwork behind floor lamps or simply leaning atop a dresser. 

Step 5: Celebrate!

Experimenting with your home decor is one of the many joys of living in your own home for the first time. There is so much freedom in trying new things, changing your mind and changing it again. Stop by your local print shop; keep an eye out for funky frames on your next thrift trip. And when you’re feeling uninspired by your interior design setup, remember that thrifting and printing your own wall art is a great way to get creative with your space and your budget.