Gaming Posters: Paper Types, Sizes, and Framing Options Compared

Quick answer

Choose a poster when you want an affordable, easy-to-swap display; choose an art print when you want thicker paper and a more finished look. For most gaming walls, a standard poster in a simple frame hits the best balance of cost and durability. If you plan to move it often, go with a heavier paper stock and a frame with a protective front.

Hanging game art usually comes down to three decisions: what it is printed on, how big it is, and how you frame it. Those choices affect how the piece looks, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to change later. This gaming posters guide compares common paper types, standard sizes, and framing options so you can match the display to your room and your budget.

A poster and an art print are not the same product, even when the artwork is identical. Posters are typically thinner and made for temporary or casual display, while art prints use heavier stock and are meant to be framed. Knowing which one you are buying prevents the common mistake of framing a thin poster and watching it ripple.

Poster paper types compared

Most gaming posters use one of three paper types: thin matte, thicker matte, or coated glossy. Thin matte is the lightest and least expensive, and it shows fingerprints and creases easily. Thicker matte holds up better to handling and looks more like an art print. Coated glossy gives deeper blacks and more saturated color, but it reflects room light and shows glare from windows and lamps.

If you plan to frame the piece, matte is usually the safer choice because it does not fight with overhead lighting. If the poster will hang in a dim room or a hallway with no direct light, glossy can look richer. Neither type is automatically better; the right pick depends on where it will hang and how much handling it will get.

• Matte reduces glare and hides minor surface marks better than glossy.
• Glossy deepens contrast but needs a low-glare spot to look its best.
• Thicker stock resists dents and wavy edges when framed.

Poster sizes explained

Poster sizes usually follow standard print dimensions so frames are easy to find. Common sizes include 12x18, 18x24, and 24x36 inches. A 12x18 fits a desk nook or a narrow wall strip. An 18x24 is the most flexible size for a single focal piece above a desk or couch. A 24x36 makes a statement but needs a wall with enough empty space around it.

Measure your wall before buying. A poster that looks large online can feel small on a wide wall, and a 24x36 can overwhelm a small room. If you are building a gallery wall, keep the gaps between frames consistent; uneven spacing is the most common reason a group of posters looks unfinished.

• 12x18: small spaces, secondary pieces, and gift-friendly sizing.
• 18x24: the easiest single-poster size to frame and hang.
• 24x36: large statement walls with room to breathe.

Framing gaming posters

Framing options range from simple poster hangers to full frames with a protective front. Poster hangers are cheap and let you swap art quickly, but they leave the surface exposed to dust and sunlight. A basic frame with a clear front protects the print and gives it a finished look, though it costs more and takes longer to change out.

For anything you care about, use a frame with a front panel and keep it out of direct sun. Ultraviolet light fades inks over time, and no paper type fully stops that. If the poster is a limited piece or a favorite, the frame is the part that protects your investment.

• Poster hangers: fast swaps, minimal protection.
• Frames with a front: better protection, more cost and effort.
• Keep framed pieces out of direct sunlight to slow fading.

Poster vs art print: what changes

The main difference between a poster and an art print is paper weight and intended use. Posters are made for affordable, casual display and often ship rolled. Art prints use heavier stock and are designed to be framed, so they hold flat and look more substantial on the wall. If you want a piece that looks intentional in a living room, an art print is usually the better fit.

That said, a poster in a good frame can look nearly as polished as an art print for less money. The trade-off is durability: thinner paper creases more easily and may ripple in a frame over time. If you plan to move the piece between rooms or take it to a convention, the heavier stock of an art print is worth the extra cost.

• Posters: lower cost, lighter paper, easy to replace.
• Art prints: heavier stock, flatter in a frame, more durable.
• Framing a thin poster can work if you handle it carefully.

Poster print durability and care

Poster print durability depends mostly on paper weight, ink quality, and how you store or display it. Rolled posters stored in a tube for long periods can develop a memory curl, so unroll them and lay them flat under a clean weight for a day or two before framing. Avoid taping directly to painted walls; removable putty or a frame is safer for both the print and the paint.

Humidity and direct sun are the two biggest threats. Damp rooms can cause wavy edges, and sunlight fades colors even on coated paper. If you rotate posters seasonally, store them flat in a dry place rather than rolling them tight. A little care at storage time keeps the print looking sharp when it goes back up.

• Unroll and flatten before framing to avoid wavy edges.
• Use removable putty or a frame instead of tape on painted walls.
• Store flat and dry between rotations.

Trade-offs to weigh before you buy

• Thin matte vs. thick matte: Thin matte is cheaper and easy to replace, but it creases and ripples more in a frame. Thick matte costs more and holds flat, which matters if you frame it. Frame it? Go thicker. Taping it up casually? Thin is fine.
• Glossy vs. matte finish: Glossy gives deeper blacks and richer color but reflects lamps and windows. Matte reduces glare and hides fingerprints better. Bright room: matte. Dim room or hallway: glossy can shine.
• Poster hanger vs. full frame: Hangers are cheap and let you swap art in seconds, but leave the print exposed. Frames protect the surface and look more finished but cost more and are slower to change. Rotating often? Hanger. Keeping it up long-term? Frame.

Grounded product facts

• Dragon Age: Inquisition - Inquisition Infinity Scarf: Officially licensed by BioWare and E.A.; approximately 27 in wide and 70 in in circumference; 100% polyester and machine washable. If you are building a themed display wall, a machine-washable scarf can hang as a soft backdrop or be worn, giving you two uses from one piece.
• Dragon Age - Leliana Collector's Pin: Black nickel metal with screen printed details; officially licensed by BioWare and E.A. A small pin adds a focal accent to a framed poster or a shelf edge without needing wall space, which helps when your poster is already the main piece.
• Mass Effect - Noodle House Glow-in-the-Dark Pin: Officially licensed Mass Effect pin; glow-in-the-dark feature. Glow-in-the-dark pins read well in dim rooms, so they pair nicely with a matte poster that does not compete with glare.

Who should choose which

Best for

• Renters or dorm dwellers who want affordable, easy-to-swap wall art.
• Collectors building a themed wall who want to mix posters with small pins and plush accents.
• Anyone framing a single focal piece above a desk or couch on a budget.

Not for

• Buyers who want a gallery-grade, heavy-stock piece that will stay flat for years without a frame.
• Anyone displaying in direct sunlight who expects the colors to stay unchanged.
• Collectors who need archival, museum-level materials and UV protection out of the box.

Match the paper and frame to how you will actually use the piece. A thicker matte poster in a simple frame covers most gaming walls, while a heavier art print is worth it when you want a long-term display. Pick the size that fits your wall first, then choose the finish that suits your light.