Rolled wall maps or posters are hard to put on the wall if they're trying to roll back up. Here's how to get them to straighten up.

Steps

  1. Roll your poster opposite from the way that it curls. Start loose and tighten it up as you go, to avoid creasing it. Sometimes this is enough to flatten it, depending on the paper and how long it has been rolled.
  2. Wrap rubber bands around your opposite-rolled poster.
  3. Let your poster sit like this for a few hours.
  4. Remove the rubber bands and place your poster flat on a clean surface. Put it so that the side towards which it's curling.
  5. Smooth out the poster and place weights on the corners and in the center of your poster for 2 to 4 hours. Books are a good choice.
  6. Remove the weights.
  7. Hang the poster.
  8. Finished.

Tips

  • If your poster continues to curl after completing step 5, keep the weights on for longer.
  • If you place the poster on the floor to flatten it, make sure it is out of the way so that nobody steps on it.
  • Good substitutes for paperweights include smooth rocks, glass jars, bean bags, and heavy books. Don't put heavy weights on the poster on a soft surface. The poster could crinkle.
  • Work gently to avoid crinkling the poster.

Warnings

  • Ironing does not work for flattening posters.
  • Do not use rubber bands that have ink stamps on them, as they may stain your paper.
  • If you want to laminate a poster, flatten it first.
  • If you want to flatten a vintage poster, please take it to a professional.