Thank you for choosing wall art from The Dorm Guide’s Dorm & College Life Shop!

This article will take you through the detailed instructions for printing and framing your wall art.

If you haven’t purchased wall art yet, please check out our selection of downloadable wall art for dorms and college.

1) Download Your Files

After your purchase of wall art from our shop, you’ll receive an email with a link to download your files. Click to download the files to your computer or your phone.

You will receive 4 PDF files and 4 sets of JPG files per design in your purchased wall art set.

Why both PDF and JPG? This allows for flexibility in choosing a printing service. We’ll take you through printing service options below.

• PDF will be easier to use at home with all files in one document.
• JPG will be easier to upload to a printing service and is accepted by all services.

Why FOUR sets of each? We want you to be able to print your wall art in any size that fits your space and imagination, so we sized each piece in 4 different size ratios. Please see the chart below to select the correct ratio for your desired print size.

Please remember: Download purchases are for YOUR PERSONAL USE only. You may not reproduce, share or resell downloadable files or similar in either print or digital form. Our small business provides paid internships to college students, and we sincerely appreciate your business!

2) Choose Your Print Size

Before you print, you’ll need to decide on your desired print size for your wall. You can see the options in the graphic below.

Before you finalize your print size decision, check 2 things.

1. If you have a specific frame in mind, confirm that it is available in that size. (see #3)
2. If you have a favorite printer in mind, be sure they print in that size. (see #4)

Ratio For Your Print Size

Your downloads will allow you to print in almost any size possible.

• With the 11×14 files, print artwork sizes: 11×14
• With the 3×4 ratio files, print artwork sizes: 9×12, 12×16, 15×20, 18×24
• With the 4×5 ratio files, print artwork sizes: 8×10, 12×15, 16×20, 24×30
• With the 2×3 ratio files, print artwork sizes: 8×12, 12×18, 16×24, 20×30

For example, if you decide you want 16×20 prints, you would need to print the 4×5 ratio for best results.

Note that each file name will contain the ratio of the file – 11×14, 3×4, 4×5 or 2×3. If you selected a design with 3 prints, you will need to print all 3 files in your desired ratio for JPG. The PDF files will contain all of the designs in your set.

3) Check Frame Availability For Your Print Size

The following are lightweight frames perfect for dorm walls when you can’t use nails to hang artwork.

Brass Lightweight Frame – This one is my favorites as it is so lightweight, and the glass is actually plexiglass, so it should not break if the frame falls from the wall. I used them in 18″x24″ size in the pic below with the yellow comforter.

All Target Poster Frames in wall art sizes.

Rounded Black Lightweight Frame – This is a good choice for a more substantial frame look. Also available in 20″x30″ in another listing.

Thin White Poster Frame – Several sizes available.

All Walmart Poster Frames in wall art sizes.

Target and Walmart have a good selection of frames online, but if you’re shopping elsewhere, look for lightweight as you will be hanging your art with a temporary solution such as Command Strips. If Command products are not permitted at your school, you should be able to put a piece of blue painter’s tape under the Command strip.

4) Select Your Printing Service

Check your favorite printing service to be sure they can print the size you’re wanting to print. There is a lot of variation out there!

Look for Poster Prints or Photo Prints at the following or your other favorite services and then follow their instructions. Walmart, Walgreens & FedEx Office are typically available same day.

Also look on their websites for a coupon code for printing, and if you don’t see one, try Google. These frequently have codes available for a hefty % off on printing.

Here are a few that we’ve used to do test runs of our prints.

Shutterfly – Current sizes available (please confirm): 11×14, 16×20, 20×30. If you are a Costco member, you can connect your account to receive 50% off the full price per print. Costco no longer offers their own printing.

FedEx Office – Current sizes available (please confirm): 16×20, 18×24, 24×36, 36×48. This is formerly Kinko’s (FedEx bought them in 2004).

Walmart Poster Prints – Current sizes available (please confirm): 11×14, 12×18, 16×20, 20×30

Walgreens – Current sizes available (please confirm): 11×14, 16×20, 20×30 and 24×36. Walgreens does not have a matte finish option, there is a slight sheen with their Satin Paper finish.

If you have questions about printing formats and finishes or issues while printing, please contact your printing service.

Show Us Your Creations In Your Dorm Room!

We would love to see what your space looks like with these prints! Please tag and follow us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

More Resources For Heading To College

Getting ready for college is all we do at The Dorm Guide!

If you love our wall art designs, be sure to check our printable Open When gift labels and ideas for what to send with each one of the 54 labels.

For a smooth move-in day, see our Packing & Move-In Day Plan that starts a few weeks out, provides a packing plan, an order to loading the car and the steps to take when you arrive at the dorm on move-in day. Step #1 – start your fan. Step #2 – a little light cleaning….

Dorm IQ is our educational series helping you learn about dorm essentials, layering your dorm bed, avoiding toxins and finding our tested and trusted recommendations.

Our Complete Dorm Essentials Guide provides all of our recommendations in one place, across 2 categories and several retailers in the hunt for the best products at the lowest prices.

If you have questions or want to learn from 135,000 other parents and students on the same journey, please join us in the Dorm Shopping Recommendations & Deal Alerts Facebook group.

Be sure to share these resources with your friends and parents of friends heading to college soon too. Thank you!