Since we’ve seen a huge up-tick in demand for diploma framing this year, we wanted to offer custom diploma-framing shoppers our top tips.  Follow these guidelines to make sure you’re happy with the final result – and not paying to re-frame your diploma down the road.  You may have strong ideas about framing your piece, or NO ideas.  In either case, you don’t want to regret the choices you make in six months.  We recommend the following:

Design.

  • Designer: We highly recommend using a local frame shop that offers design assistance, and that you take a few minutes to speak with a frame-designer about options, choices, and design considerations.   Their goal isn’t to tell you how to frame your piece, but rather to  offer design-rooted suggestions and to make sure what is “in your head” is exactly what winds up on the wall.  If you don’t know exactly what you want, which is very common, a professional designer can help you settle on a design that fits your eye, your profession, and your budget.
  • There are hundreds of ways to customize a frame display beyond frame style and mat colors.  Options may vary by frame shop, but make sure to ask what can be done.  Custom framing is “custom” for a reason, and customization sets pieces – diplomas and certificates particularly – away from the rest of the crowd.
  • There are so many incredible picture frame designs that it blows us away.  Find a frame shop showroom with a broad selection of styles and prices (Fastframe has 2000+ moulding samples in store available to view).  Often customers come in with one thought but once they have a chance to browse the vast selection with the help of a designer, end up with something more suited to their taste and profession.
  • Lastly, if the piece is a gift – and especially if you don’t know the design tastes of the recipient – consider a Fastframe gift certificate.  They’re great for those who want to gift custom framing, but may not live nearby or have access to the diploma.

Protection/Materials.

  • Make sure whoever is doing the work is using the highest graded UV glass. We use Tru Vue and our primary glasses are rated at 99% protection from UV rays, the highest in the business. This is particularly important to determine if you are looking at frames from the academic institution and/or off the internet. Some of these choices will use less expensive glass with much less protection. Not using highly rated UV glass will result in your diploma and mat/s permanently fading. You have probably seen this before, the paper becomes very yellow and the bevel on the mat turns brown. Whether you choose clear glass or museum glass (minimizes reflections), UV protection is essential.  Make sure your glass has 99% UV protection.
  • Cheap mats are often acidic, as are some of the mounting materials. Make sure your framer is using conservation grade, acid free mats, backing, and mounting techniques.
  • Guarantee: We don’t recommended using a framer that doesn’t offer a guarantee.  We guarantee 100% satisfaction, and we guarantee materials and workmanship for life.  Our guarantee

Our last tip: don’t be shy, stop by!  Custom picture frame shops, and particularly shops like Fastframe, aren’t transaction-oriented, they’re people-oriented, local businesses.  Speaking for ourselves, we’re happy to talk with and advise you, whether you ultimately use us or not.  We depend on repeat business and word of mouth, and we truly like helping folks with custom diplomas or any type of custom framing.   Seeing that look of delight when a customer picks up a finished piece makes our day.  So give us a call, shoot us an email, or better yet, come visit us and we’ll put you on the right path for your tastes and your budget.

Fastframe Houston store location, hours and contact info

Texas A&M diploma features a Larson from the Brighton line, mahogany about 1 ½” and mat is a Crescent Bordeaux suede and gold fillet.
Baylor Diploma frame is a Studio Etude, walnut about 1 ½” with a crescent rich green suede and gold fillet.