How tight should standoff caps be?

Finger-tight only. Over-tightening with tools is the most common cause of cracked acrylic.

How to Hang an Acrylic Print with Standoffs (Step by Step)

Quick answer: To hang an acrylic print with standoffs, tape the print's paper template (or the print itself) to the wall, level it, mark the four corner holes, drill and insert wall anchors, screw the standoff bases into the anchors, set the print over the bases, and thread on the caps by hand. It takes about 15 minutes and the print floats about 3/4 inch off the wall.

Black and white acrylic photo print mounted on a white wall with four brushed silver standoffs at the corners — Four standoffs at the corners give the floating, gallery look.

What are standoffs?

Standoffs are small metal posts, usually brushed silver or black, that mount through pre-drilled holes near each corner of the print. Each one has a base that screws into the wall and a cap that screws onto the base through the acrylic. The print sits about 3/4 inch off the wall, which casts a soft shadow and makes the panel look like it's floating. Standoffs are the standard way to mount acrylic because the panel is rigid and has no frame to hang from.

What you need

Your acrylic print with pre-drilled corner holes and the standoff set (bases, caps, screws)
Wall anchors suited to your wall: plastic anchors for drywall, or masonry anchors for brick and concrete (if your print lands on a stud you can screw straight into it)
Drill with a bit sized to your anchors
Level, pencil, painter's tape, tape measure
Optional: the paper template (the shipping box insert or a sheet cut to the print's size with the hole positions marked)

Step by step

Paper drilling template taped to a wall with a level resting on top and a drill on the console table below — A taped paper template lets you mark all four holes without holding the print up.

Pick the spot. For art above furniture, the bottom edge should sit 6 to 10 inches above the piece. On an open wall, center the print at about 57 to 60 inches from the floor, which is standard gallery eye level.
Make a template. Lay the print face down on a sheet of paper or the flattened shipping box, trace it, and mark the center of each pre-drilled hole. Cut it out. (Skip this if you're comfortable holding the print to the wall and marking through the holes.)
Tape it up and level it. Use painter's tape so the wall isn't marked. Rest a level on the top edge and adjust until the bubble is centered.
Mark the holes. Press a pencil through each hole mark. Double-check the distance between marks matches the print.
Drill and anchor. Remove the template. Drill at each mark with the bit size your anchors call for, tap the anchors in flush, and screw the standoff bases into the anchors until snug.
Mount the print. Hold the print so the four holes line up over the bases. Thread each cap through the hole into its base, finger-tight only. Don't use tools on the caps: over-tightening can crack acrylic.
Check and clean. Step back, check level, and wipe fingerprints with a microfiber cloth. (See how to clean an acrylic print.)

Tips that save a redo

Measure between hole centers, not edges. The holes sit about an inch in from each edge, so the mounting rectangle is smaller than the print.
Drywall needs anchors. A bare screw in drywall will loosen. Anchors rated for 25 pounds or more per point are plenty for any size print.
Large prints get six standoffs. Panels 36 × 48 inches and up use two extra standoffs at the center of the top and bottom edges to keep the panel flat.
Caps finger-tight only. The cap should hold the panel without pressing hard on it. A tiny bit of play is normal.
Tile or glass wall? Use a glass/tile drill bit and go slowly with no hammer setting.

Standoffs vs other ways to hang acrylic

Standoffs are the cleanest look and the most secure. The alternatives are a french cleat (a two-part wooden or aluminum rail glued to the back, which hides all hardware but needs a flat back and strong adhesive), heavy-duty adhesive strips for small panels under about 16 × 20 inches on smooth painted walls, or a simple ledge or shelf for desk-size prints. PrismScript prints with the No hardware option have no holes drilled, so they suit cleats, adhesive, or shelf display; prints ordered with Silver or Black standoffs arrive with the holes and hardware ready to mount.

Frequently asked questions

How far from the edge are the standoff holes?

About one inch in from each edge, at all four corners, with two extra holes at the top and bottom center on 36 × 48 inch and larger panels.

Can I hang an acrylic print without drilling?

Yes, for small prints. Heavy-duty adhesive strips on a smooth painted wall work for panels up to roughly 16 × 20 inches. Larger panels should be anchored with standoffs or a cleat.

Do standoffs work on brick or concrete?

Yes. Use a masonry bit and masonry anchors instead of drywall anchors; everything else is the same.

How much does an acrylic print weigh?

3/16-inch acrylic weighs roughly 1.2 pounds per square foot, so a 20 × 16 inch print is about 2.6 pounds and a 40 × 60 inch print is about 19 pounds. Standard drywall anchors handle both.

What if I crack the acrylic while mounting?

Cracks almost always come from over-tightening the caps. Keep them finger-tight. Damage in shipping is covered by our reprint guarantee; damage during installation isn't, so take it slow.