Set of 3 Prints: How to Choose and Hang a Triptych
Updated 29 October 2026
A set of 3 prints is three matching artworks made to hang side by side: either a triptych, where one scene runs across three panels, or three related designs in the same colours. Choose by the width of the wall and the colours already in the room, then hang the three in a straight line with equal, narrow gaps, centred over the sofa, bed or sideboard.
Three prints fill a wall in a way a single poster rarely can, and an odd number gives the group a clear middle. This guide explains where the triptych comes from, the kinds of sets you can choose, how wide each size ends up on the wall, and how to hang them straight first time.
In short
- The triptych has been a standard format for altar paintings since the Middle Ages.
- Our Set of 3 collection has more than 100 designs, from boho mountains to Japanese landscapes.
- Sets come in sizes from A4 to A0 and 8x10 to 30x40 inches, or as a digital file.
- By our calculation, three A2 prints side by side measure 126 cm across before gaps; three A3s measure 89.1 cm.
- Every set is printed to order in 1–3 working days, then delivered free worldwide (UK standard 2–4 working days).
What is a triptych?
A triptych is a work of art divided into three sections, or three carved panels hinged together, with the middle panel traditionally the largest and flanked by two smaller related pieces. The format appears in early Christian art and became a standard shape for altar paintings from the Middle Ages onwards. Artists kept using it long after: Francis Bacon and Max Beckmann are among its best-known modern names, and photographers use the three-panel layout widely in commercial work today.
Modern sets of three usually keep the panels the same size, which makes them easier to frame and hang. The sets in this guide are all three equal portrait panels.
What kinds of set of 3 prints are there?
- One scene across three panels. The Mount Fuji triptych is a true triptych: golden light on the mountain above a sea of cloud, with dark pine silhouettes, stretched across three frames in a woodblock style.
- Three designs in one palette. The Sunset Mountain set, our best-selling set, pairs abstract peaks in beige, terracotta and warm brown with a pale sun in the middle panel. The Mountain Sunset set in blue and pink does the same in cooler pinks, peach and teal.
- Three views of one theme. The Set of 3 Forest prints shows misty trees and woodland in earthy greens, so each print works alone but reads as a group.
- Your own trio. Three single posters chosen to go together, such as three cities you have visited. Look out for the "buy 3 posters, get 40% off" offer on the site banner.
How do you choose a set of 3 prints?
- Measure first. Note the width of the wall or of the furniture the set will hang above.
- Pick up colours from the room. Terracotta and sand suit warm, earthy rooms; blues, pinks and greens suit cooler, lighter ones. Repeating one colour from a cushion or rug ties the set in.
- Match the mood. Calm landscapes and forests suit bedrooms; bolder abstract sets suit living rooms and offices.
- Choose the size from the width. Use the table below to see how wide three prints will be.
What size set of 3 prints do you need?
Our sets are made of three prints of the same size, hung portrait way up. Widths below are our calculation from the A-size and inch widths, for the prints alone, before any gaps or frames:
| Size of each print | Width of one print | Three side by side (before gaps) | Good above |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 cm | 63 cm | A desk, console table or narrow wall |
| A3 | 29.7 cm | 89.1 cm | A small sideboard or a single bed |
| 12x16 in | 12 in (30 cm) | 36 in (about 91 cm) | A small sofa or sideboard |
| A2 | 42 cm | 126 cm | A sofa or double bed |
| 18x24 in | 18 in (45 cm) | 54 in (about 137 cm) | A sofa or king-size bed |
| A1 | 59.4 cm | 178.2 cm | A long sofa or a big empty wall |
Add the gaps and the width of any frames to these numbers to get the full width of the arrangement. Larger sizes, up to A0 and 30x40 inches, are available for very large walls.
How do you hang a set of 3 prints?
- Mark the centre. Find the middle of the wall, or of the sofa or bed below, and make a light pencil mark.
- Try paper templates. Cut three pieces of paper to the size of your frames and tape them up. Step back, adjust, and only then reach for the drill.
- Hang the middle print first. Centre it on your mark; the other two are measured from it.
- Keep the gaps narrow and identical. The three should read as one piece, so the gaps between them should be noticeably smaller than the space around the group.
- Line up the tops. Use a spirit level along the top edges; with equal-sized frames, the bottoms line up too.
- Mind the height. Above furniture, leave a modest gap so the set and the furniture read together. On a bare wall, aim for the middle of the set to sit at about eye level.
Tip: use a card spacer
Cut a strip of card to the width of the gap you want and hold it between the frames as you hang each one. Every gap comes out exactly the same without measuring twice.
Where does a set of 3 prints work best?
- Above the sofa: the classic spot, and the one where three prints most clearly beat one.
- Above the bed: calm landscapes or forests, kept a little higher than the headboard.
- Above a sideboard or dining table: A3 or A2 prints keep the group in proportion.
- Along a hallway: a set hung in a row draws you down the corridor.
- Home office: a set behind the desk gives video calls a tidy backdrop.
Frames make a big difference to a set. Use the same frame for all three. If a frame option is shown on the product page, you can order your set framed in black, white, light wood or dark wood pine.
How long does a set of 3 prints take to arrive?
Each set is printed to order on 170 gsm semi-gloss paper from FSC-certified or equivalent sources:
| Delivery option | Printing time | Delivery time (working days) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK standard | 1–3 working days | 2–4 | Free |
| UK express | 1–3 working days | 1–3 | Shown at checkout |
| Worldwide | 1–3 working days | 2–5 | Free |
| Digital file | Not printed | Not posted | Free |
Planning a set for Christmas? Allow extra time, because delivery can take longer over the holiday season; the Delivery Info page has current timings. Sets that aren't personalised can be returned within 60 days.
Find your set of 3 prints
See the Sunset Mountain set, the blue and pink Mountain Sunset set, the Mount Fuji triptych and the Forest set of 3, or browse more than 100 set of 3 prints. Building your own trio? Look out for the "buy 3 posters, get 40% off" offer. Free worldwide delivery on every order.
More reading: how to create a gallery wall, step by step and the cheapest way to frame a poster.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a triptych and a set of 3 prints?
A triptych is one artwork split across three panels, like our Mount Fuji triptych. A set of 3 prints can also be three separate designs that share a theme and colours, such as our Sunset Mountain set.
How far apart should you hang a set of 3 prints?
Keep the gaps equal and narrow enough that the three read as one piece, and smaller than the space around the group. A card spacer cut to your chosen gap makes it easy.
What size set of 3 prints goes above a sofa?
By our calculation, three A2 prints measure 126 cm across before gaps and frames, which suits most sofas. For a small sofa, three A3 prints measure 89.1 cm.
Can I make my own set of 3?
Yes. Choose three single posters that share colours or a theme, keep the sizes and frames the same, and look out for the "buy 3 posters, get 40% off" offer on the site.
How long does delivery take?
A set takes 1–3 working days to print. Free UK standard delivery then takes 2–4 working days, and free worldwide delivery 2–5.
Sources (checked 29 October 2026): our Delivery Info, Returns and Product Specifications pages; the size options on the product pages linked above; Wikipedia: Triptych; and Wikipedia: ISO 216 for A-size widths.