1 C1 neutral
(publishing/design) To arrange text and images on a board or screen to create a page layout ready for printing.
"The production team worked overnight to paste up the final edition before the press deadline."
separable
paste up
C1 neutral separable transitive
To arrange and attach text and images on a board or page to create a layout for printing, or to stick a notice or poster onto a surface.
In plain English
To glue or arrange pieces of text and pictures together to make something ready to print, or to stick a poster on a wall.
What does "paste up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To attach a notice, poster, or sign to a wall or surface using paste or adhesive.
"Activists had pasted up flyers all over the city centre the night before."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To stick things upward onto a surface using paste or adhesive.
Actually means
To glue or arrange pieces of text and pictures together to make something ready to print, or to stick a poster on a wall.
Usage tip
In publishing and design, 'paste-up' (noun) refers to the physical preparation of print layouts before digital tools replaced this process. As a verb, still used in both traditional printing contexts and loosely for digital layout. Also used literally for sticking notices on walls or boards.
Words that pair with "paste up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
layout page notice poster artwork copy
How to conjugate "paste up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
paste up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pastes up
he/she/it
Past simple
pasted up
yesterday
Past participle
pasted up
have + pp
-ing form
pasting up
continuous
Hear "paste up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "paste up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.