DIY Poster Hanger: A Quick and Easy Scrap Wood Project

Are you a passionate DIY enthusiast? If so, you likely have a collection of
scrap wood accumulating in your workshop or garage. These wood remnants,
varying in size, length, and species, often lack a defined purpose. Yet,
the thought of discarding them is unbearable, fueled by the unwavering
belief that they will be repurposed into something extraordinary one day.

This guide marks the inaugural installment in a series dedicated to
transforming those overlooked pieces of scrap wood into functional and
aesthetically pleasing creations. Each project is designed to be completed
in under an hour, excluding paint or varnish drying times. Best of all,
these projects can be adapted to utilize materials readily available in your
workshop, potentially resulting in a cost-free endeavor.

Today, we embark on crafting a simple yet stylish poster slip frame. The
inspiration for this project stems from those ubiquitous plastic strips
featuring slits, designed to accommodate posters. While affordable, these
plastic strips often lack visual appeal and are typically offered in a
limited range of colors. Our DIY version, however, allows for complete
color customization through paint, unlocking a realm of creative
possibilities. Let’s begin!

Given the project’s adaptable nature, a definitive supplies list is
unnecessary. However, the materials we employed encompassed paint, varnish,
a table saw, 180-grit sandpaper, and shims. Keep an eye out for
supplementary notes offering guidance on material substitutions.

Our initial step involved sourcing a piece of wood slightly exceeding the
width of our poster. We utilized a 3″ x 24″ x 1/2″ oak plank, which we
ripped down the center to yield two pieces, each measuring 1 1/2″ x 24″ x
1/2″.

Note: A 1×2 or even a 2×4 (ripped to the appropriate
thickness) could have easily been substituted. Regarding thickness, the
1/2″ dimension suited our preferences, but a 1″ thickness could also be
employed. For length considerations, we achieved our desired dimensions by
ripping a piece of wood close to the poster’s width in half lengthwise. If
you possess a longer, thinner piece of wood, such as a 1×2, you would
simply cut it to the required length rather than width.

Next, we trimmed the two pieces created in the previous step to precisely
match the width of our poster, which measured 22″.

We located the center of the narrow side of each wood piece, adjusted the
table saw’s fence accordingly, and carefully cut a channel down the center.
Hint: To ensure the channels are precisely centered, rotate
the wood piece 180 degrees and pass it through the blade once more. This
technique guarantees uniformity and accuracy.

Now comes the enjoyable part: sanding the wood surfaces to achieve a smooth
finish, applying a primer coat, followed by two coats of your chosen paint
color (we opted for Yellow Ocher), and finally, applying one or two coats
of polyurethane varnish to protect the paint and enhance durability.

In this instance, craft paint was utilized simply because it was readily
available. Feel free to use any paint you prefer.

It’s time for assembly! Locate a spacious, clean, and flat surface. Carefully
insert one end of your poster into the channel of one of the wooden slats,
and then repeat the process with the other end of the poster and the
remaining slat.

Acquire a handful of shims (four should suffice, although a larger poster
might necessitate six). Gradually trim the thin ends of the shims until they
fit snugly into the channel on the back side of the poster.

Note: The use of shims avoids the need to create holes in
your poster. However, if you are comfortable with puncturing your poster,
you could opt to staple it in place from the back side.

Once the shims are securely in place, remove them and trim down the wider
ends.

Note: This step can be skipped if your scrap wood is thicker
than the wide end of the shims. However, bear in mind that the shims will
add a slight amount of weight to the upper slat.

We trimmed our shims down to 2″ in length and re-inserted them into the channels.

Due to the presence of a channel on the top slat, it fits perfectly over
the head of a small nail. Ensure that the nail is precisely centered for
secure hanging. Now, your handcrafted poster hanger is ready to display your
favorite artwork or prints.

We call her ‘Betty’.

This is the first of many scrap wood projects. Check back for more fast and
easy projects to use up that scrap wood stash!