Tips for Hanging Your Artwork Professionally | Art Business

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Hanging and displaying art and photographs baffles many, but there’s a simple art gallery industry formula that you can learn to help you professionally hang your artwork. Whether you’re preparing for a show in a coffee shop, your studio or hanging art in your home, these simple guidelines will help you showcase your art in a professional way. 

Tools you will need to hang your art:

• Hammer
• Pencil
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Wall hooks

Helpful Tips:

• Always use brackets or picture hooks – don’t just hammer nails into the wall.
• Make sure to follow the weight recommendation on the hardware package and use hardware that will support your artwork.
• Check the hardware to make sure it’s firmly secured with screws to the back of the frame/artwork
• If the artwork is heavy, use two D-ring hangers – one on each side of the painting to hang the art
• When hanging a frame from a wire, use two hooks in the wall for added stability.

Installation Instructions:

• Find and mark the center point, from left to right, of the space in which you’re displaying your art.
• If using D-ring hangers without a wire, measure the art from top to bottom and mark the center of the piece under one of the hangers.

• If using D-ring hangers measure from the center mark to the top of the picture hanger and add 60” to that measurement for a standard height. This will put the center of your art at eye level.

• If using a wire, measure from the center mark to the top of the tightened wire and add 60” to that measurement for a standard height. This will put the center of your art at eye level.
• Measure and mark that distance up from the floor near your center mark on the wall. Align the marks with a level. This will be your center height mark.
• Measure the distance between the centers of the picture hangers on the back of the art. Divide that measurement in half. Using this measurement, hold that number on your tape to the center height mark on the wall and mark the distance between the hangers. For example: Let’s say your hangers are 20” apart, set the 10” mark in the center height mark. Mark the wall at the end of your tape measure and at the 20” mark.
• Use the level to align these marks with the center height mark.
• Position the bottom of the wall hooks on your marks and hammer in place.
• If hanging from a wire, makes sure the wire on the back of the artwork is tight enough to hide the hanger when the artwork is hanging on the wall.
• Lift the art onto the wall hooks. Use the level to check that the art is level.

Art Gallery Business: Key Points for Hanging Art

• Artwork should be hung so that the center point of the painting is at about eye level for the ‘average’ height person.
• Of course there are exceptions and breaking the rules in art can be allowed – but, only once you know the ‘rules’ of course.
• Make sure your artwork is ready to hang with appropriate wire for the weight of your artwork or with D-rings for heavier works.

Once you learn where the appealing eye level is, you can then hang your art without all the above measuring. These art business guidelines will help ensure a professional look whether in your home or for an art show.