The guided example provided in the following steps assumes you’re working with a rectangular poster. If your poster is irregularly shaped, you’ll need to find the length of each individual side.
Thick MDF will be much heavier. Keep this in mind when hanging your plaque mounted poster, and consider doing so from a wall stud so it doesn’t damage the wall. You may need to look in the “Particle Board” section of your store to find MDF, as it is often considered to be a kind of particle board.
Use a straight edge, like a square or level, to draw a solid line around the perimeter where you’ve marked. This will make it easier for you to cut the MDF. Check the corners of your markings with a carpenter’s square. Each corner of a rectangular poster will form a perfect right angle, like an L-shape.
While cutting, protect your eyes with safety glasses and your lungs with a breathing mask. Always operate power saws with caution. These can cause serious harm or property damage if used improperly. Though it might take longer, if you don’t have a power saw available you can always use a hand saw to get the job done.
There will likely be sawdust from the sanding. This can also create bumpiness in the mounted poster. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment and a dry, lint-free rag to remove all sawdust. Since you’re going to be covering up the MDF mounting with your poster, you don’t have to spend too much time trying to sand the edges to perfection. [6] X Research source
If you’re using a utility knife to cut the adhesive paper, be careful you don’t accidentally cut into your work surface. You may want to put something underneath when cutting, like cardboard. It’s best to cut your paper too large than too small. Paper that’s too large can be easily trimmed down to size after being attached. [7] X Research source
If you’ve cut your adhesive paper correctly, it should fit the MDF board perfectly.
You may need to lightly pull up the paper where it has been attached to reorient it so it is properly aligned with the edges of the MDF.
Bubbles can be chased to the outer edges of the paper with your fingers or a straight edge, like a ruler. Worst-case scenario, use a pin to create a small hole in bubbled areas. When these deflate, smooth them as best you can with your fingers or a straight edge.
Avoid storing your plaque mounted poster in direct sunlight or exposing it to heat. These can cause the glue to degrade and lose its stickiness.
If the cut of the MDF is way off, you may need to cut a new mounting for the poster. [9] X Research source
Be thorough when covering the weighted portion of the poster with newspaper. Gaps may get sprayed with adhesive and ruin the quality of the finished product.
Spray adhesive usually has a strong, unpleasant odor. Allow some time for these fumes to dissipate before moving on.
Avoid touching the newspaper covering your work surface or moving the MDF after spraying adhesive. This can cause glue to spread to the MDF, which can be a pain to remove. Glue on the side or back of the MDF won’t be obvious and, in many cases, can be left to dry. If you’re dead set on removing the glue, rub it lightly with clean paper towel until it comes off.
Bubbles can oftentimes be chased to the edges of your poster where they’ll disappear. Use a plastic card or your clean fingers to gently smooth out uneven parts of the poster.
Glue can discolor the surface of your poster or create roughness. It’ll be easiest to remove errant glue while it’s still fresh.
Before you spray the adhesive, all areas of the poster and MDF should be covered with newspaper except the part that’s been peeled back to overhang the glued half. Smooth the adhesive sprayed poster back to the MDF in the same way you did previously, by rubbing it in small increments with a clean piece of paper towel. The second half of your poster will likely have more glue seep along the edges than the first. [17] X Research source
MDF is a pretty resilient wood and, in many cases, it will cause nails to bend as they’re pounded in. If you absolutely must use nails on MDF, use a nail gun.
