How to Stick Paper or Posters on Walls Without Damaging Paint?

One of the best ways you can decorate your walls for a personalized décor feel is to hang posters, photos, and paper art. This can be done for bedrooms, offices, and your dorm room. Doing all this will make the space visually pleasing. However, there is a problem with this; there is a fear of damaging the wall paint underneath them. This is because you hang the wall art with tape, and when you take it down, the paint will come down with it. So, how to stick paper or posters on walls without damaging the paint?

Today, we will tell you about the helpful ways to stick these posters or paper on the walls. Using any of the ways, there will be no issues of damaging the paint underneath.

Why Regular Tape Damages Painted Walls

First, let’s start with the basic info: ordinary tape, such as duct tape or packing tape, all of which stick strongly to the surface. They seem good to hold things in place, but they are just waiting for a disaster to happen. When they are removed, their adhesive backing will also pull the paint layer underneath them. Over time, this will cause the walls to look messy and uneven. For this reason, you must choose the paint-safe alternative or the gentler adhesives that grip a surface securely and don’t damage the paint.

8 Ways To Stick Paper Or Posters On the Wall Without Damaging The Paint

Here is a list of 8 effective ways by which you can stick paper or poster on wall without damaging the paint layer underneath it.

1. Use Painter’s Tape for Temporary Posters

If you are planning to hang the poster for just a few days or weeks, your best bet is the painter’s tape. Its designed to mask the walls during painting job but will peel cleanly without peeling the paint. Just take small strips of the painter’s tape, stick them on the back of your poster. Now press the poster gently onto the wall and when you are removing it, peel it off steadily.

2. Try Poster Putty or Mounting Putty

Poster putty or the mounting putty, it’s one of the easiest ways to stick a poster on your walls without causing any damage. It is soft and reusable. The best part is that it doesn’t leave behind any residue. Take small rolled balls of this putty and stick them to the backside of the poster. Press your poster firmly onto the wall, especially at its edges. When you are removing it, just pull it off gently to prevent the overstretching of the paper. It works for painted walls as well as metal or brick walls.

3. Command Strips – The Modern, Damage-Free Solution

For your needs of a long-term, paint-safe option, the Command strips are the ultimate powerhouse, especially the 3M. These are adhesive strips that will pull away from a painted wall without damaging the paint layer or leaving behind any residue. First, clean the walls with rubbing alcohol, as dust reduces the adhesion effect. Stick one side of the strip to the poster or frame and then the other onto the wall. Now press the strip down for 30 seconds and let it rest for an hour before you hang the poster. To remove it, just pull it downward from one corner to release the adhesive, and not from the middle.

4. Magnetic or Cork Boards for Frequent Changes

If you are someone who hangs and removes posters or notes occasionally from walls, you must consider buying a cork or magnetic board. You will be able to pin, clip, or magnetize the paper without touching the painting layer. The adhesive-backed cork panels, you can attach them without drilling any holes. Once the board is fitted, you can switch posters on it without worrying about peeling the paint.

5. Washi Tape – Creative & Paint-Safe

Washi tape is a trendy product that is gentle on your painted walls. This product comes from Japan, a type of decorative masking tape that is available in hundreds of patterns and color choices. They let you mount posters with a dramatic flair. To use it, just create a frame border with the washi tape for the poster fitting. It has a light adhesive that will hold the paper in place without damaging the paint. You can even use this tape to decorate the walls with a creative border or layout.

6. Adhesive Hooks or Clips

If you have some heavy or laminated posters to attach, we recommend using the adhesive clips and hooks. These will stick to the walls as they have paint-safe adhesive backing layers that are super strong to hang heavy posters or wall art. Attach one or two hooks to your walls. Use the binder clips or the cords to hold the artwork. To remove the poster or wall art, just pull the tab down without causing any damage to the wall.

7. Double-Sided Removable Tape – Choose Wisely

There are brands that offer a removable double-sided tape, a product made just for walls. These tapes have a softer adhesive that will hold the paper and the wall, but won’t peel off the paint. The tip here is that when you are out there buying the tape, just look for labels that are paint-safe, damage-free, or removable. It’s also best to avoid foam-based tapes or industrial ones.

8. Use Clothespins & String for a Gallery Feel

This is an aesthetic and damage-free method where you will stretch a string or cord across the wall. You can attach them to the wall with adhesive hooks applied on both ends. Afterwards, use clothespins to clip your photos or posters on this string.

 Final Thoughts

These are 8 insightful and creative ways on how to stick paper or posters on walls without damaging paint layer. You need just the right product and some patience to showcase your aesthetic sense of style and décor without damaging your walls. The secret to sticking paper and posters on walls is about two things; soft adhesives and careful removal. Just take your time to hang stuff on walls creatively and make them look beautiful.