How to Frame a Risograph Social Change Poster Without Glass

By Heartell Press | Published: 2026-11-02

Category: How-to Guides

Frame a risograph social change poster without glass using a raised frame, acid-free backing, and careful handling. Follow these steps to protect the print and hang it safely.

Quick answer

Frame your risograph social change poster without glass by using a shadow box or a frame with deep rabbet, an acid-free backing board, and a spacer to keep the print off the surface. Handle the print by its edges and hang it away from direct sun and damp walls.

Why glass-free framing suits risograph posters

Risograph prints have a soft, matte ink surface that can smudge if pressed against glass or handled with oily fingers. Removing glass eliminates the risk of condensation and makes the poster easier to access for cleaning or rotation. However, without glass there is no barrier against dust, UV light, or accidental splashes, so placement and a protective coating become more important.

Choose a frame with enough depth

A standard poster frame holds the print flat against the backing, which is fine for glass but risky without it. Look for a frame with a rabbet depth of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) so the print sits recessed and can be held by a spacer or mounting corners. Shadow box frames or frames designed for canvas works well. Avoid frames with a tight, shallow lip that forces the poster against the front edge.

Handle and prepare the print

Risograph ink is soy-based and can transfer with friction or moisture. Work on a clean, dry surface and wash your hands before touching the print. If the poster arrived rolled, reverse-roll it gently between two clean sheets of paper for a few hours to relax the curl. Never crease or fold the print to force it into a frame.

Mount without adhesive

Avoid tapes, glues, or dry-mounting tissues that can stain or bond permanently. Use acid-free photo corners or mounting strips that grip only the edges. For a float effect, attach the poster to an acid-free foam board with linen tape along the top edge only, allowing the paper to expand and contract. If the poster is larger than the backing, trim the backing, not the print.

Hang away from light and moisture

Risograph inks are not UV-stable and will fade in direct sunlight. Choose an interior wall away from windows, radiators, and damp exterior walls. Use two hooks or a French cleat rated for the frame's weight, and leave a small gap behind the frame for air circulation. In humid rooms, consider a dehumidifier or skip glass-free display entirely.

Step-by-step: frame and hang your poster without glass

Select a deep frame: Measure your poster (11” x 17” for the Heartell Press poster) and choose a frame with a rabbet depth of at least 1 inch. A shadow box frame or a frame with a removable spacer works best. Common mistake: buying a standard poster frame that presses the print against the front lip.
Prepare an acid-free backing: Cut a piece of acid-free foam board or mat board to the frame's inner dimensions. This board supports the poster and buffers it from the frame's back panel. Checkpoint: the backing should be rigid enough that it does not bow when held by one corner.
Mount the poster with photo corners: Place the poster face-up on the backing and attach acid-free photo corners to all four corners, or use mounting strips along the top edge only. Do not use household tape or glue. Checkpoint: the poster should be held securely but not stretched; it should have a tiny bit of play.
Add a spacer to keep the print recessed: If your frame has a deep rabbet, insert a spacer (a thin strip of acid-free foam board or a commercial frame spacer) around the inside edge so the poster sits back from the front. This prevents the print from touching the frame's front lip or any future glass if you add it later.
Seal the back and attach hanging hardware: Close the frame with its back panel or a piece of acid-free board, and seal the edges with frame sealing tape to keep out dust. Attach two D-rings or a hanging wire rated for the frame's weight. Checkpoint: the frame should feel solid with no rattling when gently shaken.
Hang on a suitable wall: Choose an interior wall away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and dampness. Use two hooks set into studs or use appropriate wall anchors. Hang the frame so its bottom edge is at or slightly above eye level. Checkpoint: after hanging, confirm the frame sits flush and does not wobble.

Product facts

Our Human Rights Cherished Risograph Social Change Poster: 11” x 17” risograph poster printed on card weight recycled paper. The card weight paper is sturdy enough to stand in a deep frame without sagging, but still needs edge support to avoid bending.
Our Human Rights Cherished Risograph Social Change Poster