Our bedroom horse art finally arrived, and I wanted to share the two-step DIY process I used to mount the posters to canvases. Spoiler: the first method didn’t hold up, so I switched approaches and got a much more reliable result the second time.
For the first attempt I used a cheap spray adhesive I picked up at JoAnn. Spray adhesive is a common choice for mounting posters to canvas because it’s easy to use, widely available, and often labeled acid-free and permanent—properties you want when you’re mounting prints.
I worked in the sunroom for ventilation, wore a mask, and opened the windows. I sprayed the back of the poster and the front of the canvas, then lined up a corner and smoothed the print down as I worked across the surface. I used my Kroger card to gently smooth any bubbles or wrinkles—pressure should be gentle to avoid scratches or dents.
At first it looked great—I hung them and did a little victory dance—but within about 12 hours the prints began to lift in places. Big separations and air pockets appeared between the paper and the canvas. Fortunately, the paper peeled off cleanly, so I could start over without ruining the prints.
Because I wanted a heavier-duty method that would last through humidity from showers and regular room conditions, I researched alternative ways to adhere posters to canvas and found consistent recommendations for using an acrylic medium or varnish as glue. I used Liquitex Matte Varnish from Michael’s to mount the prints.
I applied a thin, even coat of the acrylic medium to the canvas surface, and a matching coat to the back of the poster:
For this step it helped to have an extra pair of hands—one person on each pair of corners while the other two people eased the print down and smoothed it as you go. We placed our corners first and then rolled the print down, which minimized bubbles and creases. Small air pockets did occur but were worked out gently from the center toward the edges using the palm of the hand.
Note: some people can react to acrylic medium, so wearing thin gloves while handling the varnish can be a good precaution.
After adhering the prints with the Liquitex matte varnish, we laid both canvases flat and let them cure for a full 24 hours—this prevented any buckling or sliding while the adhesive set. After a day they felt solid and durable, and continued to hold through the humidity from several showers in the adjoining bathroom.
I debated painting the canvas sides charcoal, brown, or metallic, but left them white to match the trim and mirror above the sink. We also decided to keep the smooth print finish on the front rather than sealing it again with another coat of acrylic medium or Mod Podge—if you do plan to coat the printed surface, test a tiny hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t cloud the image.
We swapped which print hung on each side of the bed so each of us sees our preferred image from our side: his is the beach scene, mine is the wild horses. It’s a small detail but it makes the space feel personal.
One of the things we love about these prints is their luminous quality—the glow doesn’t always show up in mockups or Photoshop renderings, so seeing them in person was a nice surprise. I’ve always been drawn to animal imagery, so these horse photographs fit our aesthetic even though they’re bolder than some of our previous choices.
On the budget side, having the posters printed and mounting them ourselves saved a lot. Printing the pieces on stretched canvas to the size we wanted would have cost about $169 each, while our DIY approach—poster plus large canvas and supplies—came in around $64 per piece. That’s a significant saving, and with the acrylic medium they appear to be secure for the long term.
These horse prints are a departure from the brighter, beachier art we displayed in our previous house, but mixing bold, moody pieces with softer, lighter areas around the house has worked well. Bold choices don’t have to dominate every room—letting contrast play against calmer spaces can create balance and interest.
In short, this was a helpful DIY lesson: spray adhesive is fast and convenient but may not be durable for every situation; using an acrylic medium like Liquitex matte varnish to glue posters to canvas creates a sturdier, longer-lasting bond. If you try this DIY canvas mounting method, work in a well-ventilated area, consider having a second set of hands for alignment, protect your skin from the medium, and let the mounted piece cure flat for at least 24 hours.
And finally, a reminder: decorating is an experiment. Trying something unexpected can pay off and often works nicely alongside quieter elements in your home. So be brave, try a new finish or bold artwork, and remember you can usually undo or adjust things if they don’t work out.
Psst — If you like taking design risks, there are great resources and essays about embracing imperfection and experimentation in decorating. Also, is anyone else keeping Oprah’s final episode on their DVR a little longer? Guilty as charged.