How to Print & Frame

Every poster file you buy is delivered at 300 DPI and prepared for three standard print sizes: 8 × 10, 11 × 14, and 16 × 20 inches. Here’s how to get the best result.

Choose a print method

• Local print shop: most cities have at least one shop that prints up to 24 × 36 inches on archival paper. Ask for “matte fine-art paper” or “semi-gloss photo paper”. Expect $15–40 per print.
• Mail-order services: Mpix, Printique, Bay Photo, and Pictorem deliver excellent results at competitive prices.
• Home printer: any inkjet printer that supports 11 × 14 paper produces good results. Use the printer’s “borderless” mode and high-quality paper.

Choose the right size for your space

• 8 × 10 inches: great for a desk, a small bookshelf, or as part of a gallery wall.
• 11 × 14 inches: the standard “good size” for a single statement piece behind a bar or in a sitting area.
• 16 × 20 inches: the venue size. One of these above a 4-seat booth or behind a salon chair anchors the room.

Framing

Belle Époque posters look strongest in two styles of frame:

• Thin black or dark walnut frame, white mat: clean, gallery-style. Lets the poster’s color do the work.
• Brass or aged gold frame, no mat: period-appropriate. Sits well in cocktail bars and salons.

Avoid: overly ornate gilded frames (look too dressy), and plain plastic frames (cheapen the result).

Hanging

For a single piece, hang the center of the artwork at eye level — about 57–60 inches from the floor. For a gallery wall, plan on 2–3 inches between frames and treat the whole grouping as a single shape centered on the wall.