How to Hang a "Stray No. 1" Print Without Nail Holes
By Holly Bones Art & Design | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: How-to Guides
A renter-friendly, damage-free way to hang your "Stray No. 1" print straight using removable hooks and a few smart checks. No nails, no regrets.
Quick answer
Hang your "Stray No. 1" print with a removable adhesive hook or strip rated for its weight, after cleaning the wall and checking the print's size and border. This keeps your walls damage-free and works for renters.
Why removable hooks suit the 8" x 10" edition better than the 5" x 7"
The 8" x 10" edition has a white border for matting and framing, so it usually ends up in a frame that adds weight and depth. A removable hook or strip rated for that combined weight is the safer choice. The 5" x 7" edition is borderless and compact, so it can be hung with lighter removable strips or displayed in a small frame with a lighter hook. Always check the hook's weight limit against the total weight of the print plus any frame or backing.
When a removable hook is not the right call
Removable adhesives can fail on textured, freshly painted, or dusty walls, and they may not hold heavy frames over time. If your wall is delicate or the frame is heavy, consider a freestanding shelf or a leaning display instead. Also avoid hanging in humid areas like bathrooms, where adhesive strips may loosen.
Steps to hang your print without nail holes
- Weigh the print and frame: Use a kitchen scale to weigh the print plus any frame, backing, and glazing. Choose a removable hook or strip rated for at least that weight. Common mistake: guessing the weight and buying a hook that is too weak. Write the total weight on the hook packaging so you remember the limit.
- Clean and dry the wall: Wipe the spot with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Avoid freshly painted walls (wait at least a week) and textured surfaces. Common mistake: skipping this step, which weakens the adhesive. Test a small piece of tape first; if it peels off easily, the wall may be too dusty or textured.
- Mark the hanging point: Measure the print's height including frame, then mark the wall where the hook's top will sit. Use a level to draw a faint horizontal line. Common mistake: eyeballing the height, which leads to a crooked print. Have a friend hold the print while you step back to check the placement.
- Apply the removable hook: Press the adhesive strip firmly for 30 seconds, then wait the manufacturer's recommended time (often 1 hour) before hanging. Common mistake: hanging immediately, which can cause the strip to fail. Set a phone timer so you don't rush this wait.
- Hang and level: Hang the print and place a small level on top of the frame. Adjust by sliding the hook slightly or using a removable putty tab at the bottom corner. Common mistake: ignoring a slight tilt that becomes obvious later. Check the level again after 24 hours; adhesives can settle.
Product facts
- "Stray No. 1" Print: Open edition giclée print available in 8" x 10" with a white border or 5" x 7" borderless. The border makes the 8" x 10" easier to mat and frame, which affects the weight and hook you need.
"Stray No. 1" Print
