Tools Needed for Hanging Artwork
*Undergraduate Exhibitions recommends students purchase their own tools to expedite
exhibition installation.
Always Helpful
Tape Measurer – Measuring the
height/center-line of the artwork, the
distance between artwork, where the
nail goes in relation to where the piece
hangs on the wall.
Pencil – For making tiny marks that
reference where the artwork hangs on
the wall.
Masking/Painters/Acid Free Tape –
Always comes in handy (not intended
for hanging artwork)
Not Always Needed Varies with
Artwork
Drill – For driving screws
Screws – For hanging work. Make
sure to choose a screw appropriate for
hanging your work.
Screwdrivers – To take screws out.
Museum Wax – Used to secure
artwork to the wall or a pedestal.
Keeps the work from shifting out of
level.
Cotton Gloves – Worn when
handling work that could pick up
fingerprints.
Torpedo Level – Useful in making
sure your artwork is level.
Stud Finder – To locate studs when
hanging heavy artwork
Hammer – For driving nails.
Nails – for hanging artwork. Nails
come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure
to choose a nail appropriate for hanging
your artwork.
Work Gloves – Worn when handling
lights.
*When you buy your tools make sure
to put your initials or an identifying
mark on them. Tools are often
misplaced in the chaos of installing an
exhibition.
Tools Needed for Hanging Artwork
*Undergraduate Exhibitions recommends students purchase their own tools to expedite
exhibition installation.
D-Rings – These are screwed to the backs
of paintings. Then the painting can be hung
directly from these or a wire can be
stretched from one D-Ring to the other.
Binder Clips – clipped on the artwork and
hung with a tack.
L-Nails – Two on the top and two on the
bottom. Not through the artwork but just
outside the edge.
Tacks – A tack in each corner.
T-Pins – One in each corner.
Picture Hanger – used to hang pictures
that have wires. 2 Hangers can be used
if the piece requires it.
Saw Tooth Hanger – allows artist to
hang piece with one nail.
Hanging Kit – can be purchased at
hardware/craft stores.
* Your choice of hardware will depend
upon the size, weight, and medium of
your artwork.
* Prior to hanging your work in an
exhibition it is very important to test
your hardware. Certain adhesives need
time to cure and every piece of hardware
has weight limits.
*Double-sided tape, blue tape, and
Scotch tape leave a residue on the
gallery wall. Works hung with doublesided tape fall off the wall!
Tools Needed for Hanging Artwork
*Undergraduate Exhibitions recommends students purchase their own tools to expedite
exhibition installation.
Upholstery Tacks - Can be used in the
same way as tacks. They come in a
wide variety of shapes and colors.
Eye Screw – Often the artwork is
attached to the wall with an eye screw.
Wires are also attached to paintings
with small eye screws instead of
d-rings.
Cleat – Often used with large scale
heavy work. Typically the artwork is
mounted on aluminum, Plexiglas, or
masonite.
Tape Tabs – Acid free or linen tape is
used to create a tab stuck to the backside
of the work. The tab is then pinned to
the gallery wall.
Map Pins – Can be used in the same
way as tacks. They come in a wide
variety of shapes and colors.
Grommets – Are attached to the
artwork with a grommet punch and
come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and
colors. They’re commonly used in
textiles and works on paper.