How to mount and display a giant poster?

[toxcrusadr]

A good friend gave me a vintage Dylan poster for Christmas that is bigger than any poster I've owned. It is like 3 ft. by 4 ft. at least. I doubt if the hobby/craft/framing store has a frame kit that big. Any suggestions how to display it without ruining it?

[soundmotor]

A good friend gave me a vintage Dylan poster for Christmas that is bigger than any poster I've owned. It is like 3 ft. by 4 ft. at least. I doubt if the hobby/craft/framing store has a frame kit that big. Any suggestions how to display it without ruining it?

I've had mine done at framing shops.

[pioneervato]

Frame shops are outrageously expensive. Matting and framing alone for a poster that size will cost you at least a couple of Benjamins and probably more. If you want to do it for cheap buy a sheet of foam core (acid free preferably) that will give you at least 2"-3" inches all around the poster. Use acid free corners to hold down the print. I do not recommend dry mounting or gluing the poster as it can prove to be disastrous if it is not done right. Large photo corners can easily be replaced whereas the poster may not be. There are several online stores where you can get anodized aluminum frames of any length that will handle your print. I would recommend plexi over standard glass for this size due to weight and handling. Here are a couple of links that might get you started.
If you want to have a window mat cut that will cost you unless you can find someone who has a good quality mat cutter and the skill to do it right. Then you will also need a sheet of mat board and still use the foam core as a backing board.

http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping

http://www.pictureframes.com/scripts/WebObjects/PictureFrames.woa/wa/Home

[toxcrusadr]

One framing place I talked to this morning said that they could foam-core something that big. I'm just wondering what I'd do with the thing if I want to rotate my display and put it away. The framing option sounds better but the modular frames don't come that big. He did say they have a 50% off sale on framing right now, but I didn't ask him what that would run for something this big.

Thanks for the links Pioneer.

[pioneervato]

One framing place I talked to this morning said that they could foam-core something that big. I'm just wondering what I'd do with the thing if I want to rotate my display and put it away. The framing option sounds better but the modular frames don't come that big. He did say they have a 50% off sale on framing right now, but I didn't ask him what that would run for something this big.

Thanks for the links Pioneer.

Their 50% sale will still be expensive. For a poster that size foam core is the way to go for backing. Personally, I would not have it permanently attached as they may suggest you have done. But that's me.
Foam core is very light and rigid and not too expensive. Some art supply stores may carry the following sizes: 32x40, 40x60, and 48x96. Cutting a window mat from a sheet of mat board serves to dress up the mat with a nice color of your choosing plus it prevents the art work from being in contact with the glass which could prove to be bad for art work in areas with high humidity levels. Moisture that gets trapped between the glass and the art work may cause the art work to adhere itself to the glass. Not a good thing.
Here is a detailed link of one of the ones I gave you. They do have lengths available up to 48". If that is enough then your choices will be limited and a custom frame job may be necessary and that will put the cost of doing the job into the stratosphere. I used to work part time at a frame shop and people would come in with a cheap $10 poster and pay a couple hundred to get it framed. And that was for a simple mat and frame.

http://www.pictureframes.com/scripts/WebObjects/PictureFrames.woa/wa/MetalCollection?sec=Standard&browse=Collection

[Vintage TX]

If it's worth alot of money, let a frame shop mount it on acid free foam-core first.
A large piece like that need plexiglass and to cut the cost down I would suggest a metal frame.
Nielsen has good quality frames in all styles and hardware is sturdy.
My ex had a framestore for 25 years, learned a few things here and there helping out:D
I had the same thing done with my old Time ads here for Cadillac's.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/Texas59/Picture001.jpg

The back with foamcore and corners to hold it together, easy to take apart if you decide to switch later on.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/Texas59/Picture002.jpg