What Comes in the Box With a Framed Poster

A framed print should arrive ready to hang, and most do. What the hanging kit actually contains, and what you may still need to buy, is worth checking before you order.

Auvrique Editorial · Fine Art Editions

The short answer

Most ready-to-hang framed art prints, including reproductions of Vladimir Tretchikoff's work sold by print houses, arrive with a basic hanging kit included. Expect a wire or D-rings on the back plus a wall hook or two. Check the product page before ordering, because kits vary between sellers and some frame sizes ship without hardware.

What a hanging kit usually contains

A standard kit is modest. Two D-rings or a strainer bar with wire, a matching hook or nail, and occasionally a small spirit level or adhesive strip. That is enough for a framed poster up to roughly 60 cm across on plasterboard or a stud wall. Anything larger, or anything going onto brick or tile, needs anchors the kit will not include.

The honest caveat is that inclusion is not universal. Some sellers ship frames with hardware fitted, others leave the back bare and assume you own a hammer. Reputable listings state this plainly, so read the product details rather than the photography. A frame photographed on a wall tells you nothing about what is in the box.

Why ready-to-hang matters for a Tretchikoff print

Tretchikoff reproductions are bought as statement pieces, often portraits like the famous green-toned works that made him a household name in the 1950s. A portrait hung slightly low or off level undoes the effect faster than any framing choice. A kit with two fixing points, rather than a single sawtooth clip, keeps the frame square over time.

If you are still weighing formats, the choice between a framed poster and canvas affects the hardware too. Canvas editions typically hang lighter and need fewer fixings, which some people prefer in rented rooms. The comparison is set out in more detail in how to choose between a framed poster and canvas. For framed work specifically, framed poster editions list what ships with each size.

Before you order

Confirm the listing states a hanging kit is included
Check whether the hardware suits your wall type
Measure the frame weight against your hook rating
Buy anchors separately for brick or tiled surfaces

The ten minutes after delivery

Installation is a short job if you plan it. Hold the frame at eye level, around 145 cm to the centre for most rooms, mark the two fixing points with a pencil, and drive the hooks before unwrapping the print. Two people make anything over a metre easier, mostly for alignment rather than weight.

One practical note on cost, since framed prints are priced with the frame and glass already included. A missing kit is not a reason to pay a framer. A packet of D-rings and hooks costs a few pounds at any hardware shop, and fitting them takes minutes. The kit is a convenience, not a gatekeeper.

A hanging kit is a few pence of wire and a hook. The seller's honesty about including it says more than the kit itself.

Frame size	Usual hardware	Extra you may need
Up to 40 cm	Sawtooth clip or single hook	None
40 to 70 cm	D-rings with wire, two hooks	None on plasterboard
Over 70 cm	D-rings, heavier wire	Wall anchors for masonry

Typical hanging kit contents by frame size

Key takeaways

Most framed art prints ship with a basic hanging kit, but inclusion varies by seller and size.
Standard kits cover plasterboard walls up to around 70 cm frames without extras.
Masonry and tile walls need anchors that no standard kit provides.
Check the product listing for hardware details before buying, not after delivery.

Related questions

Do canvas prints need the same hanging hardware as framed posters?

No. Canvas editions are lighter because there is no glass or heavy frame, so a single hook or a pair of D-rings usually suffices. Large canvases still benefit from two fixing points to sit level. The hardware differences between formats are covered in the guide to choosing between canvas and framed prints.

What weight can a standard wall hook hold?

A conventional brass or steel hook on plasterboard holds roughly 3 to 5 kg, which covers most framed posters up to about 60 cm. Larger frames with glass can exceed that. Check the frame's listed weight and match it to the hook rating printed on the packet before committing.

Can I hang a framed print without drilling?

Yes, within limits. Adhesive strips rated for the frame's weight work on painted plasterboard and hold most small to medium framed posters. They struggle with textured walls, humidity in bathrooms, and anything over a few kilograms. For a large portrait reproduction, drilled hooks remain the more reliable option.

From the Auvrique collection

Made to order · Every size