How to Frame and Display Screenprints Without Damage

Quick answer

Frame a screenprint by keeping the paper off the glass, using acid-free materials, and hanging it away from direct sun. You can frame without matting by adding small spacers at the edges, and you should avoid dry mounting or trimming the sheet. The goal is to hold the print flat without pressing the ink against glass or trapping moisture.

Why screenprints need slightly different handling

Screenprints carry a thicker, flatter layer of ink than most other print types. That ink can stay slightly raised, so anything pressing directly on the surface, like glass or a tight backing board, can flatten texture or leave marks over time. The paper also reacts to humidity, which makes breathable framing more important than a sealed, airtight look.

You do not need museum-level equipment to frame a screenprint well. You need materials that will not off-gas or stick, a way to keep the print from touching the glazing, and a hanging spot that avoids heat and direct sun. If you are unsure whether a print is a screenprint, check the surface: a screenprint usually shows a flat, even ink layer with crisp edges rather than the dot pattern of an offset poster.

Choose a frame and glazing that will not trap the print

A simple frame with a removable back is easier to open and adjust than a sealed, glued frame. For glazing, regular glass works, but acrylic is lighter and less likely to break if the frame falls. If you want UV protection, look for glazing labeled as UV-filtering or museum glass; it slows fading but does not stop it completely.

Skip non-glare glass with a heavy etched surface if you want to see the ink clearly. It can soften fine white-line detail. Also avoid backing boards made from acidic cardboard, which can yellow paper over time. An acid-free foam board or a rigid acid-free backing panel is a safer choice.

Frame without matting using spacers

You can frame a screenprint without a mat by placing small acid-free spacers, sometimes called frame bumpers or econospace strips, along the inside rabbet of the frame. These sit between the glazing and the artwork so the print stays off the glass. Cut them to the frame depth and press them into the rabbet before inserting the print.

Do not use tape, foam tape, or hot glue directly on the print or the glazing edge. If the frame has a deep rabbet, a thin acid-free backing board behind the print can keep it from sliding. Check that the spacers do not cast shadows on the artwork; narrow, clear spacers are less visible.

Mount the print without damaging the paper

The safest mount uses photo corners or acid-free paper hinges attached to the back of the print with wheat starch paste, not self-adhesive tape. If you are not comfortable with paste, use acid-free photo corners on all four corners and let the print rest in them. This holds the sheet without gluing it down.

Never dry mount or laminate a screenprint. Heat and adhesive can permanently bond the paper to a board and flatten the ink. Do not trim the sheet to fit a frame; uneven or deckled edges are part of the print. If the print is larger than the frame, choose a larger frame rather than cutting the paper.

Pick a display spot that protects the ink

Hang screenprints away from direct sunlight, radiators, and air vents. Sunlight fades ink over time, and heat can make the paper cockle. A hallway or an interior wall that gets indirect light is safer than a spot above a fireplace or directly across from a bright window.

If you want to display a print in a sunny room, rotate it every few months with another print, or use UV-filtering glazing and accept that some fading may still occur. Bathrooms and kitchens add humidity, which can introduce ripples in the paper. For long-term storage, keep prints flat in an acid-free box in a cool, dry place.

Hang and level the frame correctly

Use two hooks or nails spaced a few inches apart rather than one center hook. Two points keep the frame from tilting and distribute the weight. For heavier frames, use a French cleat or a wall anchor rated for the weight. Measure the frame width, mark the wall at the same height on both sides, and check with a level before hanging.

Leave a small gap between the bottom of the frame and any shelf or furniture so air can move behind it. Do not press the frame tight against a wall that gets damp. If the frame has a wire, make sure it is rated for the weight and that the wire is not twisted.

Screenprint framing steps

1. 1. Measure the sheet before buying a frame: Measure the paper edge to edge, not the printed image. The White Line Fern screenprint is 12 x 16 inches, so it fits a standard 12 x 16 frame without trimming. Checkpoint: if the frame opening is smaller than the paper, choose a larger frame instead of trimming.
2. 2. Add spacers so the print does not touch the glass: Press acid-free spacer strips into the inside rabbet of the frame. This keeps the ink surface off the glazing and lets air move around the paper. Common mistake: skipping spacers and letting the print rest directly on the glass, which can flatten the ink over time.
3. 3. Mount with photo corners or acid-free hinges: Use photo corners on all four corners or wheat-starch hinges on the back. Avoid self-adhesive tape, dry mounting, and spray adhesive. Checkpoint: the print should be held, not glued, so it can be removed later without damage.
4. 4. Choose UV-filtering glazing and an acid-free backing: UV-filtering glass or acrylic slows fading, and an acid-free foam board backing prevents yellowing. Avoid acidic cardboard and non-glare glass with heavy etching. Common mistake: using a sealed, airtight backing that traps moisture and causes ripples.
5. 5. Hang away from direct sun and heat: Pick an interior wall with indirect light. Keep the frame away from radiators, fireplaces, and vents. Rotate prints in bright rooms every few months. Checkpoint: if you can feel warmth or see direct sun on the glass, move the frame.
6. 6. Level with two hooks and leave an air gap: Use two hooks spaced a few inches apart, check with a level, and leave a small gap at the bottom of the frame. Do not press the frame tight against a damp wall. Next step: re-check the frame after a week to make sure the paper has not shifted or rippled.

Screenprints in the Starfangled Press catalog

• In Case of Fire - Bring Marshmallows Screenprint: The In Case of Fire - Bring Marshmallows screenprint is screenprinted by hand on soft white paper with a rich, flat matte ink finish. The flat matte ink is less reflective than glossy poster ink, so it looks best behind clear glazing without non-glare etching that can dull the surface.
• White Line Fern Screenprint: The White Line Fern screenprint is a 12 x 16 inch print on natural white paper with fine white-line detail in dusty sage green. At 12 x 16 inches, it fits standard frames without trimming, and the fine white lines mean you should avoid heavy non-glare glass that can soften detail.
• Morels Screenprint: The Morels screenprint is printed on soft white 100 lb. cardstock at 10 x 8 inches. The smaller 10 x 8 inch size works well with an 8 x 10 inch frame and a simple spacer, making it a good first print to frame without matting.