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Ordering posters online is one of the fastest ways to change the mood of a room, but it is also surprisingly easy to end up with art that looks “fine” on your laptop and disappointing on your wall. Most problems are avoidable if you know what to check before you click buy.
Below are the most common mistakes people make when they order posters online, plus practical fixes you can use immediately.
Mistake 1: Choosing a size without measuring the wall (and the room)
The #1 reason posters look “wrong” is not the artwork, it is scale.
A poster that is too small tends to look lost. Too large can feel cramped, especially in narrow hallways or above radiators and switches.
A quick method that works in most homes:
- Measure the wall area you want to fill (width and height).
- If the poster is going above furniture, aim for the art to feel visually connected to it (not floating). As a rule of thumb, many decorators keep the artwork width somewhere around two thirds of the furniture width, then adjust based on taste and ceiling height.
- Mark the intended frame edges with painter’s tape before ordering.
Mistake 2: Not checking aspect ratio (the silent crop problem)
Many designs exist in multiple proportions: square, portrait, landscape, and standard paper ratios. If you choose a size that doesn’t match the artwork’s aspect ratio, one of two things happens:
- The image is cropped (you may lose key details near the edges).
- The image is shrunk to fit (you get unexpected white borders).
How to avoid it:
- Look for size options that keep the same proportion across the range.
- If the product preview allows it, confirm what will be printed right to the edge versus what will sit inside a margin.
- Learn the basic families of sizes: the A-series (A4, A3, A2) is based on the ISO paper ratio used widely in the UK and Europe (overview: ISO 216). US sizes often behave differently.
Mistake 3: Assuming any image will print sharply
If you are ordering a poster based on your own upload (or commissioning custom work), low resolution is the quickest route to a soft, pixelated print.
A practical guideline for poster-quality output:
- Aim for 300 PPI at the final print size when viewed up close.
- For very large prints viewed from farther away, lower effective PPI can still look good, but you should decide that knowingly.
If you want a reference point, Adobe’s print prep guidance is a helpful starting place for understanding resolution and output expectations (see: Adobe print production basics).
How to avoid it: only buy from a shop that either (a) supplies professionally prepared artwork, or (b) clearly states what it needs from your file.
Mistake 4: Ignoring paper finish (matte vs satin vs glossy)
Finish changes how art feels in real life.
- Matte tends to reduce reflections and can make modern, minimalist, or photographic work feel calmer.
- Glossy can increase perceived contrast, but in bright rooms it may reflect lamps and windows.
- Satin / semi-gloss often lands in the middle.
How to avoid it: think about your lighting first. If the wall faces a window or you use lots of spot lighting, a lower-glare finish usually creates a better everyday viewing experience.
Mistake 5: Buying a frame later without checking the exact print size
Frames are not truly “one size fits all”, even when labels suggest they are.
Common problems:
- The frame opening hides part of the artwork.
- The print shifts inside the frame because it is a few millimetres smaller than expected.
- You want a mount (mat) but did not account for the extra outer dimensions.
How to avoid it:
- Decide upfront whether you want the piece ready to hang or you plan to frame it yourself.
- If you want a mount, choose a print size that works with standard mount openings (or be prepared to order a custom mount).
- If framing is offered at checkout, it can simplify the “fit” variables because the print and frame are matched intentionally.
Mistake 6: Expecting perfect colour matching across screens
A poster can look warmer, cooler, brighter, or flatter depending on:
- Your screen’s brightness and colour profile
- Whether the artwork was photographed or digitally produced
- The lighting in your room (warm bulbs vs daylight)
If you are especially colour-sensitive, it helps to understand that screens commonly display colour in RGB, while printing uses ink and paper, which behave differently (a readable overview of colour management concepts is available from the International Color Consortium).
How to avoid it:
- View the artwork on more than one screen if you can.
- Don’t shop with your display brightness set extremely high.
- If you are matching paint, upholstery, or a rug, allow for slight variation and use the poster as a complementary element rather than an exact match.
Mistake 7: Forgetting the “real-life” context (your wall is not a product page)
A poster that looks amazing on a clean white mockup can feel off at home if you ignore context.
Before you order, note:
- Wall colour: mid-tone walls can make light prints look dim, very white walls can make muted art feel softer.
- Ceiling height: tall ceilings can handle larger pieces more comfortably.
- Visual noise: shelves, plants, and TVs compete for attention.
How to avoid it: take a straight-on photo of your wall and place a rectangle overlay at the poster’s intended size (any basic photo editor works). You are not trying to “preview the exact art”, you are sanity-checking scale and placement.
Mistake 8: Ordering multiple posters that don’t actually work together
Sets are where people overspend fastest because it is tempting to keep adding “one more print” until the wall feels busy.
Common reasons sets fail:
- No shared element (palette, subject, or mood)
- Every piece has the same visual weight, so nothing leads the eye
- Mixed orientations with no plan
How to avoid it: choose one unifying rule before you buy anything, for example:
- A tight palette (two to four core colours)
- A single theme (architecture, line art, typography, nature)
- Consistent framing (same frame colour and width)
If you want a deeper guide to arranging multiple pieces, use a gallery wall tutorial, but keep your ordering decisions separate from your hanging plan so you do not buy the wrong sizes in the rush to “complete the set”.
Mistake 9: Not checking fulfilment type and delivery expectations
Online art stores generally fall into two categories:
- Mass stock (pre-printed inventory)
- Made on demand (printed after you order)
Made on demand can be a quality advantage because the print is produced for your chosen size and options, but it also means delivery times depend on production and carrier transit.
How to avoid it:
- Look for clear information about production and shipping.
- If you are buying for a birthday, housewarming, or a move-in date, build in buffer time.
Mistake 10: Skipping the boring, important policies (returns, damage, customs)
Posters are physical goods and shipping is real life. Tubes get dented. Corners can bend. Sometimes a parcel takes the scenic route.
Before ordering, look for:
- What happens if the poster arrives damaged
- Whether returns are accepted and under what conditions
- Whether taxes or customs may apply in your country
In the UK and EU, distance selling rules can affect cancellation rights, but the details depend on the product and whether it is customised (official UK reference: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013).
Quick “before you buy” checklist
Use this as a final pass when you are about to order.
| What to check | Why it matters | What “good” looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Measured wall and marked size | Prevents posters looking too small or overpowering | Tape outline on wall, confirm viewing distance |
| Aspect ratio | Avoids surprise cropping or borders | The chosen size matches the artwork’s proportion |
| Paper/finish | Changes glare, contrast, and feel | Finish suits your room lighting |
| Framing plan | Avoids fitting and mounting problems | Frame size and print size are compatible |
| Delivery timing | Prevents last-minute stress | Lead time matches your deadline |
| Policies | Protects you if something goes wrong | Clear damage/return guidance and contact options |
Where a curated made-to-order shop helps
Many of the mistakes above happen when the buying process is fragmented, for example: you love the design, then you guess the size, then you hope a frame fits, then you cross your fingers on shipping.
A curated poster marketplace that offers ready-to-hang prints, multiple size options, and framing can reduce those variables because you make the key decisions in one place. Made-on-demand production can also be a benefit when it is done consistently and shipped carefully, since the artwork is produced for the size you actually chose.
Dreamprint.art focuses on made-to-order art prints from contemporary artists with multiple sizes and framing options, plus free shipping, which makes it easier to order confidently without piecing everything together across different shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best poster size for a living room? It depends on wall width, viewing distance, and nearby furniture. Measure the wall, tape out a few candidate sizes, and choose the one that looks balanced from where you actually sit.
Should I buy a framed poster or frame it myself? If you want the simplest path to a ready-to-hang result, ordering with a frame reduces fit issues. DIY framing can be cheaper or more custom, but you need to match sizes precisely and decide on mounts and glass type.
Is matte or glossy better for posters? Matte is often better in bright rooms because it reduces reflections. Glossy can boost contrast but may reflect windows and lamps. Consider where the light hits the wall throughout the day.
How do I avoid a pixelated print? Only order from sources that supply print-ready files or clearly state file requirements. For custom uploads, aim for high resolution at the final print size (often around 300 PPI for close viewing).
Why do poster colours look different from my screen? Screens emit light and vary widely in calibration. Prints rely on ink and paper, and your room lighting changes perceived colour. Viewing the artwork on multiple devices can help set expectations.
What should I check about shipping before ordering posters online? Confirm production time (especially for made-on-demand prints), shipping estimates, packaging, and what the shop will do if the item arrives damaged.
Ready to order posters online with fewer surprises?
Pick your wall first, measure it, then choose a size and finish that fit your space (not just the product photo). When you are ready, browse Dreamprint.art for curated, ready-to-hang posters and art prints in multiple sizes and framing options, produced on demand and shipped worldwide.
