The essential equipment for hanging an exhibition yourself

The solution, adopted by the majority of dealers early in their careers, is to hang the show yourself. Galerie Sultana in Paris, which has become one of the most noticed spaces on the emerging scene, was hung by its founders during its first years of existence. Galerie Sator, also in Paris, followed the same path. This technical autonomy is not a fallback position: it allows the dealer to develop an intimacy with the space and the works that nourishes curatorial practice. But it requires the right equipment. Here is the complete list of what you need, with price ranges and the options available to you.

01Measuring and marking tools

Precision is the first quality of a successful hanging. A painting tilted by half a degree, irregular spacing between two works, a centre height shifted by a few centimetres: these imperfections, barely perceptible individually, create an overall unease that harms the perception of the works and the credibility of the gallery. Measuring equipment is therefore your first investment.

A laser distance meter is the tool that will save you the most time. It instantly measures distances with millimetre precision, whether the width of a wall, the distance between two fixing points or the centre height of a work. Entry-level models cost between 30 and 50 euros and are more than sufficient for gallery use. A classic five-metre tape measure remains essential as a complement, for close-range measurements and quick checks. Count between 5 and 15 euros for a decent-quality model.

A 60-centimetre spirit level is essential for checking the horizontality of each work after hanging. Short levels (20 or 30 centimetres) are less reliable because the reading error is proportionally greater. A laser level, which projects a horizontal line on the wall, is an additional investment (between 40 and 80 euros for a decent model) that is fully justified if you regularly hang series of works aligned on the same horizontal. Galerie Nathalie Obadia uses a laser level for each of its hangings, guaranteeing an alignment rigour that contributes to the presentation quality of its programme.

A soft pencil (2B type) and a roll of masking tape (painter's tape) complete the marking kit. The pencil marks fixture positions on the wall, and the masking tape protects surfaces, marks temporary reference points and temporarily holds lightweight elements during the positioning phase.

02Drilling and fixing tools

Drilling into walls is the step that intimidates beginner dealers the most. The fear of damaging a wall, hitting an electrical cable or finding that the wall plug does not hold is understandable. A few simple precautions allow you to work with confidence.

A cordless drill driver is the central tool of your hanging. For plaster, plasterboard or brick walls, an 18-volt drill with a hammer function is sufficient for every situation encountered in a gallery. Professional brands offer reliable models from 100 to 150 euros, battery and charger included. A set of masonry drill bits (5, 6, 8 and 10 millimetre diameters) and a set of wood drill bits together cost between 15 and 30 euros.

Wall plugs are the link between the wall and the fixture. For plasterboard walls (the most common case in galleries fitted out in commercial premises), metal Molly anchors are the reference. They deploy behind the plasterboard and offer pull-out resistance far superior to standard plastic plugs. For brick or concrete walls, nylon plugs of the Fischer type are perfectly suited. Plan for an assortment of plugs of different diameters and lengths, for an investment of 15 to 25 euros.

Steel picture rail hooks allow clean and adjustable hanging. If your gallery is fitted with picture rails (hanging tracks fixed at the top of the walls), you do not need to drill for each exhibition: cables and hooks slide along the rail. The initial installation of picture rails represents an investment of 15 to 25 euros per linear metre including materials and fitting, but this investment is quickly recouped through time savings and reduced wall damage with each exhibition change.

03Artwork handling tools

Handling artworks demands precautions that are non-negotiable. White cotton gloves are mandatory for handling framed works, photographs, drawings and sculptures in sensitive materials. They prevent fingerprints and sweat deposits that damage surfaces over time. Count between 5 and 10 euros for a pack of ten pairs of cotton gloves. For heavy works or sculptures, nitrile gloves offer better grip while still protecting surfaces.

A stable stepladder of sufficient height is essential. The standard ceiling height in commercial premises is 2.50 to 3 metres. A three- or four-step ladder allows you to reach the top of walls safely. Choose an aluminium model with non-slip feet and a top platform wide enough to rest tools on. Count between 40 and 80 euros depending on height and quality.

Protective blankets (or polyethylene foam boards) should be laid on the floor along the walls during hanging. They protect works placed waiting to be hung against knocks and dust. Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, which regularly handles works of very high value, systematically uses felt removal blankets to protect each work during installation and de-installation phases.

04Complementary small tools

Beyond the main tools, a set of small tools will be useful to you daily. A medium-sized Phillips and flathead screwdriver allow you to adjust fixtures, tighten screw eyes and adjust frames. A pair of universal pliers serves to straighten a bent screw eye, cut wire or hold a piece during a delicate fixing. A medium-weight hammer (300 grams) is useful for driving finishing nails or gently tapping a stubborn wall plug.

A craft knife with fresh blades is essential for opening artwork packaging, cutting protective film and adjusting presentation materials. Scissors, a spool of galvanised iron wire (1 millimetre diameter), a roll of double-sided adhesive foam and a tube of adhesive putty complete the arsenal. The totality of this small toolkit represents an investment of 30 to 50 euros if you do not yet own anything.

A stud and cable detector is a prudent purchase you will not regret. This device, which costs between 20 and 40 euros, signals the presence of wood or metal studs behind the partition, as well as electrical cables. Drilling into a live electrical cable is dangerous and leads to significant repair costs. The few seconds it takes to pass the detector over the wall before each drilling is an elementary precaution.

05Repair and finishing supplies

A hanging is not limited to placing works on walls. It also involves preparing the walls themselves and repairing traces left by previous exhibitions. A pot of ready-mixed filler paste (approximately 5 to 10 euros) allows you to fill fixture holes. A filling knife 8 to 10 centimetres wide serves to apply the filler with precision. After drying (allow one to two hours depending on the product), light sanding with 120-grit sandpaper is sufficient to obtain a smooth surface ready for painting.

A pot of white paint in the same shade and finish as your walls is a permanent investment. Carefully keep the exact reference of your wall paint (brand, shade, matt or satin finish) in an accessible notebook. Spot touch-ups between exhibitions are done with a small 10-centimetre foam roller that covers the filled areas without leaving visible demarcation lines.

Galerie Frank Elbaz in Paris, which long occupied a modestly sized space in the Marais, was known for the perfection of its walls, systematically touched up or repainted between each exhibition. This attention to surfaces, which costs only a few dozen euros in supplies and two to three hours of work, contributed significantly to the presentation quality of the works.

06Storage and organisation of equipment

A dealer who hangs shows personally must be able to access equipment quickly at each exhibition change. The most practical solution is a compartmented toolbox or a wall-mounted tool bag that you hang in your storeroom. Return each tool to its place after use: time lost searching for a drill bit or the right-diameter plug during a hanging is time stolen from the quality of the scenography.

Maintain a stock of consumables (plugs, screws, hooks, gloves, charged batteries) sufficient for at least two hangings. Ordering materials urgently the day before a private view is avoidable stress. Galerie Almine Rech, which manages several spaces around the world, keeps in each location a complete and inventoried hanging kit that allows the technical team to start an installation at any time without time lost on procurement.

07The summary budget

Let us summarise the total investment to equip your gallery with hanging equipment. The most significant item is the cordless drill driver (100 to 150 euros). The laser distance meter costs between 30 and 50 euros. The spirit level comes to 10 to 20 euros, the laser level between 40 and 80 euros if you opt for this tool. The stepladder costs between 40 and 80 euros. The assortment of plugs, screws, hooks and consumables represents 30 to 50 euros. Small tools (screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, craft knife) come to 30 to 50 euros. The stud detector costs 20 to 40 euros. Gloves and protections cost 15 to 25 euros.

The total budget sits between 275 and 545 euros for a complete kit that will serve you for years. This one-off investment is recouped by the second exhibition if you compare it to the cost of a professional handler.

For Artedusa partner galleries, a careful hanging is the first condition for quality photographic documentation. The installation views that illustrate your profile on the platform are the first visual contact with online collectors. Impeccable alignment, regular spacing and controlled lighting demonstrate a professionalism that reassures the collector and enhances the work of your artists.