How to Hang Your Artwork:

A Simple Guide for Every Style

Whether you’ve chosen a gallery-wrapped canvas, a flat panel painting, or a cradled wood panel, hanging your artwork correctly ensures it looks beautiful and stays secure. Here are easy, step-by-step instructions for each type.

1. Hanging a Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

Gallery-wrapped canvases are light and straightforward to hang.
You can hang the artwork by attaching a sawtooth hanger, D-rings, or wire to the back.

✔ Step-by-step:

If you install with a wire:

  1. Measure about ⅓ of the way down from the top of your wall space — this is roughly where the wire will rest.
  2. Install one sturdy hook (like a picture-hook nail or wall anchor if needed).
  3. Hang the wire over the hook and gently pull the canvas forward until it sits flat on the wall.
  4. Use a small level to adjust if necessary.

If you install with D-rings (two metal loops):

  1. Measure the distance between the two D-rings on the back.
  2. Mark that same distance on the wall at the height you prefer.
  3. Install two hooks/nails matching your marks.
  4. Hang each D-ring on its corresponding hook.

If you install a sawtooth hanger (recommended for smaller paintings only):

  1. Mark the center of your wall space.
  2. Install a single nail or hook.
  3. Hang using the sawtooth so it catches securely.

✔ Tips:

  • For heavier canvases, always use a wall anchor.
  • A slight forward tilt can indicate the hook is too low or the wire is too loose — adjust as needed.

2. Hanging a Flat Panel Painting

Flat panels must be framed — they’re too thin to hang securely without one. Once framed, they are hung just like any framed artwork.

✔ Step-by-step (after framing):

If you install a wire:

  1. Install one hook centered above your chosen spot.
  2. Hang the wire over the hook.
  3. Adjust until level.

If you use two D-rings:

  1. Measure the distance between the rings.
  2. Transfer that measurement to your wall.
  3. Install two hooks spaced accordingly.
  4. Hang by placing each D-ring on a hook.

✔ Tips:

  • If your frame shifts easily, use small adhesive wall bumpers on the bottom corners to keep it level.
  • Medium and large framed panels always do best with two mounting points (two hooks), not one.

3. Hanging a Cradled Wood Panel

Cradled wood panels are easy to hang because the wooden cradle gives them structure and depth.

✔ Step-by-step:

If you use a wire:
Same steps as gallery-wrapped canvases — use a single hook unless the piece is very large.

If you use D-rings:

  1. Measure the distance between the rings.
  2. Mark that distance on your wall.
  3. Install two hooks.
  4. Hang the panel from the rings.

✔ Tips:

  • Cradled panels look amazing hung unframed.
  • Use a level — the depth of the panel makes crookedness more noticeable.

Final Hanging Tips for All Artwork

  • Height matters: Aim to hang artwork so the center is around 57–60 inches from the floor (standard gallery height).
  • Use a level or the level on your smartphone.
  • Anchor heavy pieces: Anything over ~15–20 lbs should have wall anchors or screws into studs.
  • Check lighting: Natural and artificial lighting can dramatically enhance how the artwork appears.
  • Protect the wall: Add felt bumpers to the back bottom corners to keep your wall clean and the artwork stable.