How to Display Art Prints Without a Frame
By Heartell Press | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: How-to Guides
Skip the frame and still show off your risograph or letterpress art prints with these simple, damage-free display methods that protect the paper.
Quick answer
Use binder clips, washi tape, or a wood hanger frame to show off your art print without a traditional frame. These methods keep the paper safe and let you swap pieces easily.
Why skip the frame?
Framing can be expensive and permanent. Many art prints — especially risograph prints with their unique ink variations — look just as good (or better) with a simple clip or tape display. You also get the freedom to rotate your wall art whenever the mood strikes.
The main risk is paper damage. Unframed prints are exposed to dust, sunlight, and handling. The steps below focus on methods that minimize those risks while keeping the print visible and accessible.
Risograph vs letterpress considerations
Risograph prints are made with soy-based ink on recycled paper. The ink can smudge if rubbed, and the paper is often soft and absorbent. Avoid adhesive that touches the inked area. Letterpress prints have debossed impressions that can flatten under pressure — use gentle clips or hangers that don't squeeze the paper too tightly.
How to display art prints without a frame
- 1. Choose a clip or hanger method: For a clean look, use a binder clip or a wooden clothespin attached to a wall hook or nail. For a more finished appearance, select a wood hanger frame that slides over the top edge of the print. Check that the clip or hanger doesn't press on any inked or embossed areas of the print.
- 2. Secure the print without adhesive (if possible): If you use tape, pick acid-free washi tape or artist's tape. Apply it only to the very edge of the paper, never on the printed surface. For risograph prints, avoid tape entirely if the ink extends to the edge — the ink can lift. Test the tape on a scrap piece of similar paper first to confirm it removes cleanly.
- 3. Position away from direct sunlight and high humidity: Unframed prints have no UV-protective glass. Hang them on a wall that gets indirect light. Keep them out of bathrooms or kitchens where moisture can warp the paper. Rotate the print every few months to even out any light exposure.
- 4. Swap prints regularly to prevent dust buildup: Use a soft, dry brush (like a makeup brush) to gently dust the print every couple of weeks. Replace the print when it starts to look faded or dusty — one of the joys of a frame-free display is the ability to change your wall art often. Store swapped prints flat in a portfolio or between sheets of acid-free paper.
Art prints that work well without a frame
- Better to Light a Candle Risograph Art Print: Risograph printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper; measures 8 x 10 inches to fit standard frames. The soft recycled paper holds up well to clip or tape display as long as you avoid touching the inked areas — the risograph process makes every print unique, so you want the ink layer undisturbed.
Better to Light a Candle Risograph Art Print - Your Courage Letterpress Art Print: Letterpress printed with hand-carved woodblocks; available with or without a wood hanger frame. The optional wood hanger frame gives you a ready-to-hang solution without a traditional frame — just attach the hanger and place it on a nail or hook.
Your Courage Letterpress Art Print
