{"id":1468,"date":"2026-08-06T09:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.banana-print.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1468"},"modified":"2026-08-07T11:04:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T10:04:53","slug":"how-to-flatten-a-poster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.banana-print.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-flatten-a-poster\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Flatten a Poster: 5 Easy Methods (Without Damaging It)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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First published: 9 December 2021| Updated: 6 August 2026<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The quickest way to flatten a rolled poster is to lay it flat, image-side down, under evenly spread weight for 24 to 48 hours. If you’re short on time, reverse-rolling or popping it straight into a frame both work well, too. Below are five tried-and-tested methods, plus guidance on repairing any creases or tears along the way.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Method<\/th>\r\nTime needed<\/th>\r\nRisk level<\/th>\r\nBest for<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Weigh it down<\/td>\r\n24-48 hours<\/td>\r\nLow<\/td>\r\nMost posters, no special kit needed<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Reverse-roll<\/td>\r\nA few hours<\/td>\r\nLow<\/td>\r\nLight curling, no creases yet<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Frame it<\/td>\r\nMinutes (curl flattens over time)<\/td>\r\nVery low<\/td>\r\nPosters going straight on display<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Steam<\/td>\r\n10-15 minutes<\/td>\r\nMedium<\/td>\r\nStubborn curls, quick turnaround<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Low-heat iron<\/td>\r\n15-20 minutes<\/td>\r\nHigher<\/td>\r\nWrinkles that won’t budge with weight<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

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Method 1: Weigh It Down<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

The simplest option. No special equipment, just patience.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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  1. Unroll the poster and lay it image-side down on a clean, flat surface.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  2. Place a heavy, flat object on each corner, books, magazines, or plates all work. For extra protection, slip a sheet of mat board or craft paper between the poster and the weights.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
  3. Leave it flat for at least 24 hours. Stubborn curls may need 48 hours or another round.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Method 2: The Reverse-Roll<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

    If your poster is curled one way, rolling it the opposite way can undo it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    1. Unroll the poster and lay it image-side down.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
    2. Roll it in the opposite direction to how it arrived.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
    3. Secure with a rubber band (avoid tape; it can tear the paper when removed).<\/span><\/li>\r\n
    4. Leave for a couple of hours, then unroll. Repeat if it’s still not lying flat.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      Method 3: Frame It Straight Away<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

      Framing flattens as it protects, so it’s a two-birds option if you’re ready to display the poster.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

        \r\n
      1. Unroll the poster and get a frame matching its dimensions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
      2. Open the back of the frame and place the poster inside, image-side down, against the glass.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
      3. Secure the backing and hang the frame level. The pressure inside gradually flattens the poster.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

        Method 4: The Steam Method<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

        Good for stubborn curls when you need a faster fix than weighing them down overnight.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

          \r\n
        1. Hang the poster in a well-ventilated bathroom.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
        2. Run a hot shower for 10 minutes to gently humidify the room (keep the poster away from direct water or spray).<\/span><\/li>\r\n
        3. Move it straight to a flat surface afterwards and weigh it down for an hour or two to set it flat.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

          This works by relaxing the paper fibres, so avoid it on posters with delicate coatings, foil elements, or vintage\/brittle paper stock.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

          Method 5: Low-Heat Iron<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

          The fastest fix, but also the riskiest, since it combines heat and moisture on paper.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

            \r\n
          1. Lay the poster image-side down on a flat, heat-safe surface.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
          2. Cover it with a dry bath towel.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
          3. Lightly dampen the towel with a spray bottle, not soaking wet.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
          4. Set your iron to its lowest heat setting and press gently through the towel.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
          5. Stop if wrinkles persist rather than increasing the heat.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

             <\/p>\r\n

            Related: <\/b>The Ultimate Guide to Standard Poster Sizes, Content & Print Design<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n

            \u00a0<\/h2>\r\n

            Why Do Posters Curl in the First Place?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

            Paper has “memory.” When it’s rolled tightly for shipping, the fibres inside the curl compress while the fibres outside stretch slightly. Once unrolled, the fibres try to spring back to that rolled shape, especially in the first few weeks after printing, when the paper hasn’t fully settled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

            Humidity makes this worse, since damp air makes fibres more flexible (which is exactly why the steam method above works), while dry air can make paper brittle and prone to cracking along the curl. Understanding this is key to picking the right method: gentle, gradual pressure relaxes the fibres safely, while forcing a stubborn curl flat too quickly causes creases and cracks.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

            Choosing the Right Method for Your Poster Type<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

            Not all posters behave the same way, so it’s worth matching the method to what you’re actually flattening. Banana Print’s standard posters are printed on <\/span>170gsm or 350gsm silk paper<\/span><\/a> (including a 350gsm recycled option) for CMYK prints, or a 200gsm satin stock for our<\/span> 6-colour latex prints<\/span><\/a> up to A0, both of which respond well to any of the methods above without special handling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n