Calling all marketing managers! 

As you know, promoting products and services in large print format and in high traffic areas is a very effective way to get people's attention. Think of those colorful banners hanging in the school cafeteria, the movie posters hanging in the theater lobby, or perhaps the creative and eye-catching exhibit banners in the art gallery you visited. 

In this article, we will discuss how to hang these posters and other items using different types of picture hangers and hooks.

5 Poster Hangers You Can Use for Offices and Dorms and Other Public Places

Posters and other print materials can be displayed in various ways. They can be hung directly on the wall using hooks or hangers, suspended from the ceiling, or taped to the wall with wall-friendly adhesive. 

Here are some of our suggestions for hanging posters using different methods and hangers.  

Drop Ceiling Grid Hooks

If you’re unfamiliar with a drop ceiling, it can be quickly defined as a second ceiling below the main structure. Drop ceilings are used for several purposes, but typically they are used for covering wires or pipes, hiding damage, or for an aesthetically-pleasing appearance. 

Drop ceilings are also commonly used for helping with acoustics. It is common to find drop ceilings in both residential and industrial/commercial buildings.

There are two parts of the drop ceiling hook, a left part and a right, and they can be used individually or together to create a closed end hook for additional security.  

These hooks for drop ceilings can hold up to 15 lbs. You can hang various things on them, such as promotional material and home or office decor. Some examples include: 

• Posters
• Advertisements
• Banners
• Signs and display boards
• Promotional materials
• Tapestry 
• Hanging plants
• Seasonal decorations (such as Halloween and Christmas ornaments)
• Lightweight dangling lights
• Other DIY decorations

🔨 How to Install Drop Ceiling Grid Hooks

Do you know what else we love about these drop ceiling hanging hooks? The fact that they’re so simple to install! Here’s how:

1. Slide either one hook or both hooks onto the ceiling grid.
2. If using 2 hooks, push each hook towards the other with the open end facing the same direction.
3. Hang your item from the hook.

That’s pretty much it!

Aluminum Wall Standoffs

If you’re looking to hang a sign on a wall and achieve a more professional appearance, aluminum wall standoffs are a great option. They’re cylindrical pieces of metal or acrylic that are used to attach a sign that “stands off” a wall. 

Think of the sign outside your doctor’s office as you walk in from the lobby or the conference room name sign in a hotel for instance. They can hold engraved sign panels or acrylic sheets with an announcement or poster in between.

As shown in the photo above, the standoff allows the sign to stand a small distance off the wall, giving it a floating effect. This sleek and modern look makes it ideal for professional or commercial settings like corporate offices, hotels, or malls. 

Our Aluminum Wall Standoffs are sturdy, reliable, and very easy to install. Check out the instructions below.

🔨How to Install Aluminum Wall Standoffs

1. The sign or panel should have pre-drilled holes on its four corners. Lay it against the wall and mark the holes for reference.
2. Remove the screw caps of the wall standoffs.
3. Mount the standoffs on the wall using a drill or screwdriver. 
4. Hold the panel over the mounted wall standoffs and secure each one with the screw caps.

Brass Hooks

Nothing beats a classic brass hook to do the job. This specific hook is installed on the wall using 1-3 nails (depending on the weight capacity chosen). They have a weight capacity of 30 lbs, 50 lbs, and 100 lbs. 

Brass hooks are simple products, thus one of the go-to picture hanging solutions for various items in offices and dorms including:

• Individual frames
• Bulletin boards
• Clip boards
• Cork boards
• Peg boards

Before you hang your item, make sure you have some type of hanger installed on the back of the item like heavy duty D-rings, a sawtooth, or picture wire for instance. 

🔨Tips for Using Brass Hanging Hooks 

Installing brass hooks is pretty easy. Just hammer the nails into the holes on the hooks and hang the item onto the hook. 

Make sure when you go to hang the item, apply the picture load gradually to ensure proper hold. Peek behind the item to ensure it is caught on the hook and not snagged on the top of the hook or a nail. 

The hooks and nails are reusable if they were not damaged during installation or removal. To remove the nail(s), use fingers or pliers to pull the nail out at a 45-degree angle with a slight twisting motion. Refrain from using a different type of tool when prying out a nail as it may damage the wall or hardware.

That’s it, and you’re good to go! 

Foamboard Hangers

Foam board hangers are hanging hardware for the backside of a foam board. Typically, these can carry between 1 to 3 lbs per hanger. We recommend using them for lightweight items such as photos, posters or small pieces of unframed art. Our line of foam board hardware includes:

• Sawtooth Foam Hangers
• Kwik Hangers
• Sawtooth Adhesive Hangers

These hangers are very easy to install and can be done in a minute or two. To use the sawtooth foam hanger or Kwik hanger, simply push the hanger down and forward until the prongs penetrate the foam. 

As for the sawtooth adhesive hangers, make sure the surface you are applying to is clean and smooth. Peel off the backing paper and stick it onto the back of the foam board. Let it cure 24-48 hours before hanging. These are one-time-use-only and good for indoor use only.

D-rings

D-rings are steel hangers held by a doubled-over steel strap. They come in small to large sizes, and narrow and wide widths to accommodate different frame sizes and weight ratings. Numerous screw holes on the strap help reduce the chance of hanger failure due to screw tear-out.

Weight capacities differ for each size of D-ring, depending on their size. Small ones can support 10-25 lbs, medium hangers can support 40-75 lbs, while heavy-duty strap hangers can support up to 200 lbs.

For Unframed Posters and Announcements

Check out these other suggestions for hanging lightweight, unframed items on the wall.   

Mounting Tape

If you want to hang unframed posters on the wall, mounting tape is your best friend. It’s used to semi-permanently secure items on the wall, without drilling holes. Heavy duty mounting tapes can also be used for heavier materials or very light framed posters and announcements.

Magic Tape

This is essential for home and office use. Magic tape is a gentle double-sided tape that won't be visible when applied to most surfaces. The best thing about this tape is that it easily detaches even after long-term use and doesn’t leave any sticky residue.

Removable Adhesive Putty

Also known as “poster tack,” removable adhesive putty is a fixative that gently sticks to most surfaces it’s applied to. This is ideal for posters made out of stiff material as it may cause crumplings and small bumps.

Final Thoughts

Hanging your promotional material properly is as significant as writing the compelling copy and designing the eye-catching graphics. So why not invest in robust and reliable picture hangers and hooks? You can't convey a message properly if it's lying on the ground and can’t be seen!

So, what hangers will work for your project? Let us know in the comments section! 

And if you’re still unsure of what suits your hanging needs best, feel free to send us a message and we’ll happily guide you to choosing the best option.