Last updated July 25, 2026. By Andrew M. Tan.
Do you have a hobby space that needs decorating? Do you have empty blank walls that could use a bit more “you” on them? Then metal poster wall art might be the right thing for you. Metal posters are a great way to decorate an empty room, because they are durable, exude quality, and unique. I’ve recently moved into a new room that has let me spread out my hobby, craft, and painting area. But the walls needed a bit more punch.
In this article, I review my copy of “The Road”, a Fallout metal game poster I received from Displate, a company that sells “Metal Posters for Life”.
Disclaimer: Displate sent me a poster for this review article. Of course, I retain the right to openly share my honest opinion, knowledge, and preferences so you have the best information available about whatever product I’m reviewing. I will note that I chose the key game art image and frame design for this Displate poster review. Your taste may vary.
So, are Displate metal posters worth it? I think so. Nearly five years later, my Fallout print still hangs in my hobby space, looks brand new, and has not faded at all. The poster itself has not damaged my wall. I did have to replace the original adhesive holding the magnet with double-sided carpet tape—a practical wrinkle I’ll explain below.
Key Takeaways
- My Fallout Displate still looks brand new after nearly five years.
- The color has not faded, and the shiny metal print still fits naturally in my hobby space.
- The poster has not damaged my wall, although I replaced the original magnet adhesive with double-sided carpet tape.
- The artwork matters as much as the material. Pick an image you’ll still enjoy seeing years from now.
What Is Displate?
Displate is a company that prints artwork on stainless-steel panels that attach to wall-mounted magnets. You can choose from licensed art, independent artists, and custom prints in several sizes and finishes. It’s an easy way to give a hobby space more personality without committing to a conventional canvas and frame.
And if you’re like me, and you need to redecorate often (since new things impress your buddies at parties, maybe?), then metal posters are a great investment.
Displate offers thousands of licensed images from movies, video games, comic books, music bands and much more. The Displate website makes it easy to search or browse for posters. They even have simulated poster wall hangings, so you can see what your chosen poster may look like on a wall before you decide.
There are limited edition posters from talented artists that you can’t find anywhere else. These apparently sell out quick with new art displayed every week.
Even with your skills with Google searches, you’ll discover few ways to find the art you want outside of Displate. I’ve tried for this Displate review and found few competitors who offer such a huge selection of high quality metal prints.
Alternatives to Displate Metal Posters
There are only a few alternatives to Displate metal prints. If you exclude canvas and other wall art materials, e.g., paper, wood, you won’t find a lot of other companies selling high-quality metal art posters. I tried really hard! Most metal wall art you’ll discover are made of tin, and not the solid steel with the size and durability of the posters Displate sells.
Indeed, you can find metal wall art and metal prints on Etsy. You can also find metal posters and tin prints on Amazon, but most of these are smaller in size and limited in scope.
Continue reading below for my hands-on Displate poster review.
Why Get a Metal Art Print for Your Wall?
A metal poster is an art print mounted onto durable metal sheets or panels with magnets on the back. This allows for an easily changeable, removable wall decor if desired. The prints are super durable and have several options to customize to your heart’s content. They can be rearranged in seconds without the need for tools.
They are also very classy looking and unique compared to other material types of posters or wall art. You can always replace them with another metal Displate poster whenever you want! The metal panels also offer great contrast on light colored walls, giving a nice touch of crispness to your room.
When I first opened the Displate metal poster, I was impressed with how heavy duty it felt in my hand. It wasn’t a thin, flimsy print at all. The weight and durability gave it an air of quality that is missing from other types of prints. I write more about my actual poster below.
Of course, not everyone is into metal posters, but I think it is a great option for decorating an area with “you” all over it.
How is a Metal Wall Poster Superior to Regular Canvas Posters?
Metal wall posters don’t have to be framed which makes them easier to mount on your wall. There is also no need for power tools since its possible with just 20 seconds to set them up with no damage, frustration, or problems.
Honestly, I was hesitant with creating this review. My expectations were not super high. But, I like the idea of metal wall posters, instead of canvas or paper posters. The metal material on these posters have a matte or glossy finish (I got a matte finished metal poster). The metal itself is thin, but strong and stiff so it doesn’t bend.
The low profile of the poster makes it seem like the image is painted on my wall in high resolution. Almost as if the art is part of the wall, but with a three-dimensional window into a new world (if this makes sense).
The metal poster is gives your blank space a bit of pop and punch, while keeping things “clean” and “neat”. Of course, how much this works in your space will depend on the poster art you choose and your actual spatial context where you hang the metal print.
One of the things I’m not sure I like is how you have to use magnets that you stick to your wall to hang the metal poster. Although the magnets allow you to remove and attach your poster to the wall, you can’t simply unstick the magnets from your wall. To move your poster to another spot, you would need to buy more magnets or find a way to remove the stuck-on magnets that came with your poster.
How to Choose the Best Metal Poster?
It is important to have a metal poster that is suitable for your location. For example, if your room doesn’t have large wall space, then you may not be able to choose the huge mural sized metal posters.
Because the poster hangs from a magnet attached to the wall, the surface needs to be clean, dry, smooth, and even. Brick, raw wood, wallpaper, and heavily textured walls may prevent the adhesive from holding properly. Displate also advises against slanted walls and unusually humid spaces. A finished, smooth wall is the safest place for the included system.
When buying a metal poster, consider the size, weight, finish, and the amount of open wall around it. Displate currently offers Medium, Large, and four-panel XL posters. Matte and gloss finishes are widely available, while selected artwork also comes in a textured format called Textra.
Displate metal posters don’t have “separate frames” if you choose this option; but rather have a 3D printed material that is attached directly around your image print. As a result, adding the frame option does not increase the dimensions of your poster. Because the weight of the poster remains almost the same with or without a frame, you’ll have no trouble hanging the print level.
Current Displate Sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Medium | 17.72 × 12.6 inches | 1.54 pounds |
| Large | 26.6 × 18.9 inches | 3.08 pounds |
| XL | 35.44 × 25.2 inches across four panels | 6.17 pounds |
Matte reduces glare and does a good job hiding fingerprints. Gloss pushes the blacks and colors harder. Textra adds raised contours, physical texture, and selective matte and gloss effects to specific artwork. My copy of “The Road” has a matte finish, which works nicely with its dusty, desaturated Fallout color palette.
Displate also sells a 3D Magnet that holds Medium and Large prints about one inch away from the wall, along with a stand for displaying a poster on a desk or shelf.
Is a Metal Art Print from Displate Worth it?
It’s always hard to find the right piece of art, because the decision process is an emotional experience. A good wall poster can greatly improve or change your mood by evoking feelings or ideas. For example, a metal art print featuring gorgeous landscapes of sunsets and majestic horizons may help you relax after a stressful day at work.
Or, perhaps seeing images of your favorite movie, video game, or novel will provide some inspiration for your creativity during a break. If you want something special, Displate sells limited edition art from talented artists who are always creating custom works.
However, when shopping for metal prints, the cost of the posters may be an obstacle to overcome. Though at the same time, I would have to admit that it’s hard to put a price on art that you like. It’s a subjective experience, I think, buying high quality poster art–especially something printed on actual metal.
So is a metal art print from Displate worth it? Prices move around depending on the size, finish, frame option, artwork, and whatever promotion is running. Shipping also changes with the weight and destination. Check the complete total in the cart. The sale price alone doesn’t tell you what the poster will actually cost.
How to Install Your Metal Poster from Displate
Here’s a quick note on how easy it is to install your metal art poster from Displate—and where the mounting system can cause trouble.
First, clean and dry a smooth section of wall. Peel the backing from the protective “leaf,” press it firmly against the wall, and work out any trapped air. Remove the backing from the square magnet and press the magnet onto the center of the leaf. Large Displates require two magnets.
Make sure the leaf and magnet are firmly attached before placing the poster on the wall. When you’re done, the magnet should sit between the protective leaf and the steel poster. The poster can be removed and swapped, although the adhesive leaf and magnet system are not reusable after you pull them from the wall.
Displate’s mounting system works best on a flat, smooth, dry, vertical wall. Avoid wallpaper, brick, heavy texture, slanted surfaces, and humid rooms. This matters even more if the poster hangs above a monitor, miniature display, bed, or anything else you don’t want flattened by a falling sheet of steel. See Displate’s current mounting instructions for the manufacturer’s guidance.
Displate Review: Did I Decide on the Right Poster for Me?
Unboxing My Poster
My poster came in a well-packed cardboard flat box. With a simple flap, I was able to open the secure delivery package in a few seconds.
My metal print was heat plastic shrink wrapped inside a cushioned sandwich of cardboard sheets. Upon removal, my metal poster was pristine.
The two-piece magnetic kit for hanging the poster on my wall was included (and stuck to the back the poster). The magnets also happened to keep the small instruction pamphlet in place, too. Overall, I was quite impressed with the quality of the shipment.
A Quick Word About Fallout
I chose my Fallout game poster because I’ve always enjoyed the nostalgia that I feel from that game. For those who don’t know what “Fallout” the game is, here’s a brief overview:
Fallout is a video game, created by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It’s an open-world survival role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic world. The player assumes control of a character who emerged from a Vault to explore what was left of the world and search for their father (the protagonist’s only living relative). The game is played from a first-person perspective and features an optional real-time combat mode. ” Fallout 4″ is the most recent addition to the Fallout series, which was released in 2015.
If you’re here for the Fallout side of this review, you may also enjoy my hands-on review of Battle-Ready Fallout miniatures.
Why I Wanted this Metal Wall Poster Image
The first time I saw “The Road” artwork from Fallout, I was struck by its composition. The image features the game’s protagonist staring ahead, standing on a broken road in a post-apocalyptic world. The color palette is muted with warm yellows, oranges, and desaturated greens and browns–time has taken its toll on this wasteland.
The main subject, the vault dweller and his dog, are walking down a road toward the horizon set at the bottom third of the image (e.g., following the compositional rule-of-thirds). The sun appears to be setting and casts a long shadow toward the viewer. You can’t help but feel both hope and foreboding at the same time.
Overall Impression of the Displate Poster Material and Construction
It’s incredible that there is no glare on the image. I was surprised by how attractive this poster looks, as compared with my other canvas posters. The metal poster itself looks like a classic oil painting (albeit digital). The print’s matte metal surface feels like velvet—it’s smooth but also has slight texture to it. I’d imagine that my metal poster will have a nice, clean look for years to come.
The frame of the metal poster is apparently 3D printed texture right onto metal itself. It’s not a separate frame you can remove. I think the frame is also made of steel metal as well as the print. The entire poster construction doesn’t bend, or deform easily (if at all).
The metal print is extremely well printed, with a high resolution. With the print and metal material together, I was very impressed by the overall quality of the metal poster itself.
Displate cares for the particular tastes of their customers, as it’s evident that a lot of thought went into how these metal posters were designed.
How is the Quality of the Metal Printed Image?
The Displate metal print came out beautifully and looks very realistic (given that it’s a digital photo). As I mentioned above, the colors are clean and vibrant (though the image I chose has a desaturated color palette). There is also no glare on my poster, as you can see in my photos with a nearby lamp.
The matte finish keeps the image appearance clean, with excellent contrast (almost like I’m looking through a window into another world; the wasteland landscape jumps out at me!).
If you get close to the print itself, you won’t be able to see any artifacts of the print. Whatever the process Displate uses to print the image onto the metal is pretty spectacular because there is no blurriness, jagged edges, or pixelations within the image. It looks better in person, as if you’re up close to a high resolution photograph.
From a distance, the print is likewise impressive. In fact, I’m starting at it now and wondering if I should pull the trigger and buy a few more to add to my Fallout art collection with these metal posters. Oh boy, this could get out of hand!
How Has My Displate Held Up After Nearly Five Years?
I still own “The Road,” and it still hangs in my hobby space. The image has not faded at all. It looks brand new—shiny, clean, and just as appropriate for the room as it did when I first hung it.
The poster itself has not damaged my wall. The weak point was the original adhesive sticker holding the magnet in place. I eventually replaced it with this double-sided carpet tape, which has worked for my setup.
That tape is my own workaround, not Displate’s official mounting recommendation. Adhesives can behave differently on paint, drywall, and other finishes. Test a hidden area first, and be careful about hanging a steel poster above anything fragile. Carpet tape may also damage paint or drywall when it is removed.
After this much time, the poster feels like part of the room. That may be the better test of wall art. Do you still want to see it after years of walking past it? I do.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are Displates Made From?
Displate currently describes its posters as stainless-steel panels. The steel poster is attracted to the separate wall-mounted magnet included with the order. Standard panels are approximately 3.5 millimeters thick.
Do Displates come with magnets?
Yes. Every Displate metal poster arrives with a wall-mounting magnet kit included in the box. The kit has an adhesive “leaf” that sticks to the wall, plus one or more square magnets that attach to the leaf. The metal poster snaps onto the magnet and can be removed or swapped without tools.
Do Displates Fall Off the Wall?
They can if the adhesive is attached to a rough, dirty, damp, uneven, or heavily textured surface. My Fallout Displate has never damaged the wall or the poster, although I eventually replaced the original magnet adhesive with double-sided carpet tape. Whatever method you use, take the wall surface seriously—especially if the poster hangs above something expensive.
Are Displate Posters Official?
Yes, Displate carries officially licensed collections from video games, movies, comics, and other entertainment properties. The site also sells work from independent artists. Check the individual listing for licensing information or a Verified Creator designation instead of assuming every design has the same status.
Should I Choose Matte, Gloss, or Textra?
Matte reduces reflections and fingerprints and gives the image a softer, film-like appearance. Gloss makes dark values and saturated colors punch harder. Textra is available on selected artwork and adds raised contours, physical texture, and selective glossy details. I chose matte for “The Road,” and I’m still happy with it nearly five years later.
How Long Does Displate Delivery Take?
Displate currently estimates three to four business days for manufacturing, handling, and delivery. The actual estimate and shipping charge depend on the destination and package weight, so check the cart before ordering.
What Is the Displate Warranty and Return Policy?
Displate currently states that its products carry a two-year warranty and a 100-day satisfaction guarantee. This replaces the old 30-year warranty claim previously stated in this article. Eligible returns must remain in their original condition with the mounting system unused. The buyer pays return shipping, and custom prints or Displates purchased with a Club voucher are not refundable. Check the current shipping and return policy before ordering.
Are Displate prints worth it?
Displate posters and prints are unique in every sense of the word. They are also slightly pricey once you add the available bells and whistles. Mine still looks brand new after nearly five years, and I still enjoy seeing the Fallout artwork in my hobby space. That long-term experience makes the purchase easier for me to recommend.
Displate metal wall prints really are one-of-a-kind, both in terms of art, material quality, size, and customizability. The simplicity in using metal with magnets to install it on your wall in literally seconds without any tools is so frigging cool.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this Displate review helpful! To be completely honest, I don’t buy art. I much prefer to go to a museum, a theater, or explore nature to find inspiration and creative satiation. But, as I get older, I’ve started to realize how much I enjoy “having” something tangible nearby as a reminder of my life’s experience.
Displaying canvas prints of photographs I’ve taken around my home is a slowly growing hobby of mine (and kind of expensive). But, it’s fun to see where I’ve been, and present to others my view of those places.
Overall, Displate prints are a really innovative way to make your space more “personal”. As their tag line says, Displate provides “Art for Every Passion”. After getting a single poster from them, I’m compelled to agree…and eyeing a new purchase soon!
Are you an artist, hobbyist, or gamer looking to spruce up your home or office? Have you found unique ways to do so? I need ideas! Leave me a comment below!
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By Andrew M. Tan
Andrew is a commissioned miniature painter with more than 20 years of hands-on experience painting tabletop miniatures, photographing models, and testing hobby tools in real-world use. Read his full bio.