With graduation season on the horizon, it's time to prepare for showcasing your hard-earned degree with pride. Framing degrees and graduation photos goes beyond mere wall decoration; it's a celebration of milestones and the preservation of academic achievements. Selecting the perfect frame, ensuring proper mounting, and thoughtfully displaying these symbols of accomplishment are crucial steps in honoring one's academic journey. In this post, we'll delve into essential tips for framing degrees and grad photos, empowering you to create stunning and meaningful displays that reflect your dedication and hard work.
Choosing the Right Degree Frame
The frame you choose plays a pivotal role in showcasing your degrees and graduation photos. It serves as more than just a border; it's a reflection of your style, personality, and the significance of your academic achievements. The right frame has the power to elevate your artwork, enhance its visual impact, and seamlessly integrate it into your home or office decor. In this section, we'll delve into the importance of selecting the perfect frame for your degrees and graduation photos, exploring how frame style, material, and quality can make all the difference in preserving and celebrating these cherished milestones. Here are a few styles we recommend:
How to Choose a Degree Frame Size
When framing a degree, it's essential to consider the dimensions of the document to ensure a proper fit within the frame. Most standard diploma sizes fall within the range of 8.5 inches by 11 inches to 11 inches by 14 inches, depending on the institution and the type of degree conferred. Therefore, when selecting a frame, it's crucial to choose one that accommodates the specific dimensions of your diploma. Typically, frames designed for diplomas come in standard sizes that correspond to common diploma dimensions, such as 8.5 inches by 11 inches or 11 inches by 14 inches. But Some degrees, like an MD which are usually 15-3/4" x 22" may need custom frames. If you plan to order in advance and aren't sure of your diploma size check with your institution before ordering. The table below shows the frame size and mat options for the most common degree and diploma sizes.
| Degree Type | Standard Size | Frame Option 1 | Frame Option 2 | Frame Option 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law degrees and Doctoral degrees (except MD) | 11" x 14" | 11" x 14" with no mat | 16" x 20" with a narrow mat | 20" x 20" with a wide mat |
| Bachelors and Associates degrees | 8-1/2" x 11" | 8.5" x 11" with no mat | 11" x 14" with custom mat | - |
| Bachelors Degrees and Highschool Diplomas | 8" x 10" | 8" x 10" with no Mat | 11" x 14" with a narrow mat | 12" x 16" with a wide mat |
Frame Style
Consider the style of the frame that best suits the degree or graduation photo. Whether you prefer a classic, timeless design, a sleek and modern aesthetic, or an ornate and decorative frame, the choice should reflect your personal taste and complement the overall ambiance of the space where the artwork will be prominently displayed. A classic frame may evoke a sense of tradition and sophistication, while a modern frame can add a contemporary touch. Alternatively, an ornate frame may impart a sense of elegance and grandeur to the display.
It's essential to ensure that the selected frame's aesthetic seamlessly integrates with the decor of the room or area where it will be showcased. The frame should enhance the visual appeal of the artwork without overpowering it or clashing with the surrounding decor. Consider factors such as the color scheme, texture, and style of furnishings in the room to achieve a cohesive and harmonious look.
Degree Frame Material Options
When it comes to framing degrees and graduation photos, investing in high-quality materials is key to ensuring longevity and preserving the integrity of the artwork. Solid wood frames are renowned for their durability and timeless appeal, offering a classic and elegant option for showcasing your achievements. Alternatively, metal frames provide a sleek and contemporary aesthetic, making them a popular choice for modern interiors. Whichever material you choose, prioritize craftsmanship and attention to detail to ensure a well-constructed frame that will stand the test of time.
Protecting your degree from the damaging effects of UV rays is crucial for maintaining its vibrancy and clarity over time. To safeguard your degree or graduation photo from UV damage, opt for frames equipped with UV-resistant glass or acrylic. These specialized glazing materials effectively filter out harmful UV radiation while allowing for optimal visibility of the artwork. By incorporating UV protection into your framing choices, you can help prevent fading, discoloration, and deterioration, ensuring that your treasured keepsakes remain in pristine condition for years to come. The glass in our Frametolia frames is crystal clear acrylic and will offer that important UV protection.
Proper Mounting and Matting for Degree Frames
Mounting is a critical step in framing degrees, determining both the security of the display and the ease of future maintenance. When deciding how to mount your degree, there are two options:
- 1.You can choose to mount the degree or photo directly onto the backing board. This method provides a secure and permanent display, ensuring that your achievement remains firmly in place.
- 2. You can use photo corners. Utilizing photo corners offers a more flexible approach. With photo corners, you can easily remove or replace the degree without causing damage, allowing for alterations to the display or convenient removal for cleaning and preservation purposes. This option is particularly appealing if you might want to update the display periodically or you value the ability to handle the diploma with minimal risk.
Preservation is paramount when it comes to framing degrees and graduation photos. To safeguard your cherished mementos against deterioration and discoloration, it's essential to use acid-free materials during the mounting process. Acid-free adhesives and backing boards are specifically designed to prevent yellowing and damage caused by acidic compounds over time. By investing in acid-free mounting materials, you can protect the integrity and vibrancy of your artwork, ensuring that it remains as pristine and captivating as the day it was framed.
Making a Grad Gallery Wall
Graduation marks a significant milestone in one's academic journey, a moment of celebration and accomplishment that deserves to be commemorated in style. Perhaps you plan to hang your degree professionally in an office or your workplace, but another creative way to honor this achievement is by crafting a graduation-themed gallery wall. This would be a curated display that combines your framed degree and pictures of graduation to create a visual narrative of success. You can mix and match frames to highlight your academic achievement, and even add in some framed photos of your best school memories.
Placement and Lighting
When choosing the location for your framed degrees and graduation photos, consider spaces that are both prominent and meaningful within your home or office. Ideal locations may include your home office, where you can draw inspiration from your achievements while working, the living room, where guests can admire your accomplishments, or the hallway, where your gallery wall can serve as a daily reminder of your academic journey. By selecting a central and well-trafficked area, you ensure that your graduation-themed display receives the attention and appreciation it deserves.
Congratulations on Your Achievements!
Framing degrees and grad photos is a meaningful way to celebrate academic achievements and preserve memories for years to come. By following these tips, you can create stunning displays that honor these milestones and add beauty to your home or office. Remember to choose quality frames, properly mount and mat the artwork, consider creative display options, and select optimal placement and lighting. Celebrate your academic journey with pride and style with one of Frametolia's handmade wooden wall frames!
