How to Display Video Game Posters Without Damaging Them

Quick answer

The safest way to display video game posters is to use a frame with UV-protective acrylic, handle them with clean hands or cotton gloves, and avoid adhesive tapes or pins that leave permanent marks.

Step-by-step: Display your poster without damage

1. 1. Choose a frame with UV-protective glazing: Select a frame that is at least 1 inch larger than your poster on each side. Use UV-protective acrylic or glass to prevent sun fading. A frame with a mat board keeps the poster from touching the glazing, avoiding moisture buildup. Check that the frame depth accommodates the poster thickness; standard poster paper is fine, but thicker prints may need extra space.
2. 2. Handle the poster with clean hands or gloves: Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the poster. For extra safety, use cotton gloves. Unroll the poster and place it face-down on a clean, dry surface. If it curls, place heavy books on the corners for a few hours. Avoid touching the printed surface even with gloves; hold the poster by the edges only.
3. 3. Secure the poster without adhesive: Lay the poster inside the frame and use the frame's backing board to hold it in place. If the frame lacks a backing, use acid-free paper tape on the back edges only—never on the front. Avoid tape, glue, or pins directly on the poster. Test the fit with the frame's backing before sealing; a loose poster can shift and wrinkle.
4. 4. Hang the frame away from direct sunlight and moisture: Choose a wall that does not get direct sunlight for more than an hour a day. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens, or exterior walls where humidity changes. Use a level to hang the frame straight. Even UV glass does not block all light; rotating the poster every few months can prevent uneven fading.
5. 5. Clean the frame glass with a microfiber cloth: Dust the frame regularly with a dry microfiber cloth. If the glass is dirty, spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto the cloth—never directly onto the glass—and wipe gently. Avoid cleaning the poster itself. If the poster gets dusty inside the frame, remove and dust it with a soft, dry brush before re-framing.

Posters featured in this guide

• Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location - Limited Edition Poster: Official Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location merchandise; posters ship in tubes and may ship separately from other items. Because it ships rolled, you'll need to flatten it gently before framing, and the limited-edition nature makes damage-free display even more important.

  

• BioShock - Rapture Tourism Poster: Designed in the style of Rapture; official BioShock poster on high-quality print stock. The glossy finish can show fingerprints easily, so clean handling is essential to keep the art looking crisp in a frame.