Certificate and Diploma Frames Buying Guide

Are you looking for the perfect way to display your hard-earned certificates? Framed certificates are not just a simple accessory; they are a statement of achievement and a symbol of pride! Whether you’re looking to display your education certificates, hobby certificates, or professional certificates, finding the perfect certificate frames to beautifully display these accomplishments can be a bit daunting! With this guide, you’ll discover how to find certificates (or make your own), how to source the perfect frame option, and get hanging tips from the pros!

Why Frame Your Certificates?

While we wholeheartedly agree that you definitely should display your certificates, we recommend framing them for several reasons:

Preservation: Frames help preserve and protect your certificate from dust, stains, and UV damage that can quickly ruin a print.
Showcase: Frames showcase a piece and draw attention to the certificate.
Professional Appearance: Framed pieces look way better (and a lot more professional) than a print simply taped to the wall.

Now that we’ve established why it’s important to consider frames for certificates, let’s take a deeper dive into how to find certificates, different frame options, and hanging tips!

Finding or Creating Certificates

Certificates are a great way to memorialize hard work and dedication with an official document, but where do you find them? Many creative folks love to make their own because they can customize it with their company’s colors and official fonts and include special messaging or business logos. Plus, when you put the time into customizing something, it makes that much more special for the recipient!

If you have access to it, you can find pre-made certificate templates ready for customization in Microsoft Word. If you’d rather use another program, Canva offers a plethora of professionally designed certificate templates that are free to use and easy to customize. Whichever program you use, you can either print the certificate out yourself or upload it as an image to our frame designer, and we can print and frame it for you!

Read also: Career Growth with Certificates

Common Certificate Sizes

As you design your certificate, you may be asking yourself, what are the most common certificate sizes? Can you design a certificate that’s the wrong size? The most common size is the standard 8.5″ x 11″ certificate, followed by the 11″ x 14″ certificate. That said, we believe you should be able to design without limitations, so all of our frames are not only affordable, but they’re completely custom and made to order. That means whether you have a standard-sized certificate or something a bit more unique, we have the perfect frame for it!

Selecting the Perfect Certificate Frame

Once you’ve created the perfect certificate, there are so many framing options to sift through! When selecting a certificate frame, take the style of your space into account. You’ll want something that works well with your current decor, but also something that looks sharp and showcases your certificates appropriately!

For modern spaces: You’ll want to source thinner face frames in either black or white. Take a look at our Ashford or Hanover frames.
For traditional or classic spaces: Look for classic proportions wrapped in a traditional wood finish; Our Dayton frame in Umber or Cocoa works well here!
For rustic spaces: Source a chunkier-faced frame with straight lines and an expressive wood finish. Our Derby frame in Rustic Gray is perfect for rustic spaces.
For elegant spaces: Find a frame with intricate detailing in a metallic finish.
For youth-oriented spaces: You’ll want something that’s fun with colorful finish options; check out our Hanover frame in Red, Green, or Blue.

Displaying Your Certificates

There are so many creative ways you can display your certificates; that said, if you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered! First, you’ll need to decide whether you’re grouping multiple certificate frames together. This is a popular option for businesses where numerous employees need their certificates displayed at once. For this option, we recommend planning out a gallery wall.

A gallery wall is a fantastic solution to get all your certificates on a single accent wall. This acts as an easel for any of our Wood or Metal frame styles up to 13″ x 19″. Once you receive your framed certificates and plan where you’ll hang your pieces, you’ll need to consider how you’ll hang them. If you ordered Frame It Easy frames, they come with everything you need to get going, just bring your hammer and add a nail to the wall! To get a designer look, if you’re hanging your pieces above a piece of furniture such as a desk or table, we recommend hanging your pieces about 6-8 inches above your furniture.

Diploma Frames: A Special Keepsake

A diploma frame isn’t just a frame for displaying your degree; it’s a special keepsake that showcases and protects one of your greatest accomplishments. A diploma frame is unique in that it combines functionality and style. A diploma frame protects your diploma from dust, moisture, and damage while also providing a place of honor in your home or office. What makes a diploma frame different from a picture frame is that they are designed according to specific sizes and designs. Many diplomas can feature the college logo as well as the colors of the other graduation regalia.

Read also: Postgraduate Certificate Details

Types of Diploma Frames

Diploma frames are designed for a variety of applications, ranging from college diplomas to professional certificates.

College Diploma Frames: These frames are designed to hold diplomas and degrees earned at schools and colleges.
High School Diploma Frames: High school frames are simple but meaningful, commemorating students’ graduation.
Certificate frames: Certificate frames, on the other hand, provide greater flexibility. They can be used for a wide range of awards, training programs, and professional certifications.
Double Diploma Frames: Specialty size frames are designed for those who want something a little different on the wall to showcase their accomplishments. Double diploma frames are the best option for displaying two diplomas or certificates in one frame.
Panoramic Diploma Covers: Panoramic diploma covers are wider, allowing for a more significant design. These covers can hold diplomas as well as a photo or logo for added personalization.

Choosing the Right Diploma Frame

Along with the size, consider the frame’s material and quality. The design of the frames plays a crucial role in how it will look where you display it. Another consideration is the budget, as diploma frames vary in price. To sum up, diploma frames are a way to showcase and protect the effort you’ve put in to earn your degree or receive that certificate. We explored several types of frames, from high school and college diploma frames to certificate frames and specialty frames, and discussed how to choose the appropriately sized design. There is value in purchasing a quality frame.

Materials Matter

The material of the frame itself plays a crucial role in cost determination. Common picture framing materials include wood, metal, and composite. Certificate and diploma frames are made for presenting credentials with a clean, formal look that feels appropriate in offices, reception areas, home studies, and hallways. This collection allows you to enter any size you need for your diploma dimensions, helping you match the frame to the exact document you need to display-whether it’s a graduation diploma, a professional license, a training completion certificate, or an award.

Selecting the Right Size

Start by confirming your document’s paper size and orientation (portrait or landscape). Many credentials follow popular standards such as 8.5x11 or 11x14, while some schools and professional boards use non-standard sizes. If you want a more elevated presentation, choose a matted look where the mat opening creates a refined border around the document; This is an option you can choose after you select the frame you like. Glazing also matters in bright rooms with overhead lighting-clarity and reflection level can change how readable your credential looks on the wall.

Standard Diploma Frame Sizes

As we said, unfortunately, there’s no universal diploma size, and there’s no one-size-fits-all frame size for a college diploma. However, some average diploma sizes depend on your degree type. The most common diploma size is 8.5”x11”, but always double-check the size your respective institution uses before purchasing a frame. You can choose a size that works best for you, depending on your personal preferences. Or you can opt for a standard certificate frame size that correlates to the type of your degree. For your quick reference, here are some standard sizes based on the diploma type:

Read also: Certificate Templates for Interns

Doctoral degrees (except MD): 11″ x 14″
Medical School (MD): 15 3/4″ x 22″
Bachelor’s, associate’s, and other types of diplomas: 8.5″ x 11″
High school diploma: 8.5″ x 11″

Diploma Sizes from Top Universities

Diploma sizes can vary significantly depending on your educational institution, so it’s important to know the dimensions of your degree before purchasing a frame. Here are a few diploma sizes from top universities for reference:

Columbia University - 12.5″w x 10.5″h
Western Governors University - 8.5”w x 11”h
Georgetown University - 17”w x 14”h
The University of Tennessee Knoxville - 15″w x 12″h

Style and Finish

For a traditional, professional finish, consider classic black, espresso/dark brown, walnut/cherry tones, white, or gold/brass tones, and choose a profile width that matches the formality you want (narrower reads more contemporary; wider often reads more formal). If you’re unsure about matting, see Do I Want To Mat My Art? for practical guidance.

Examples of Frame Styles

Contemporary black standard wall frame: with beveled lines for a clean, professional presentation of certificates, diplomas, licenses, and awards in offices or at home.
Affordable burgundy wood wall frame: with a flat profile and fine-grain look, designed for a polished, professional presentation of certificates and diplomas.
Simple white standard wall frame: suited to matted diplomas, certificates, licenses, and other credential documents for professional display.
Traditional red mahogany wall frame: for diplomas, certificates, licenses, and awards, featuring black scoop and stepped detailing with a smooth satin finish.
Professional wall frame in oiled bronze finish: with dark gold highlights and a crackled broken leaf pattern for a formal, elevated presentation.
Professional-looking wall frame with silver beaded profile: featuring dark grey scratch and a dusty reddish wash.
Professional-looking wall frame with dark brown center panel: with black borders and a satin furniture finish for a formal presentation.

How to Choose the Right Certificate or Diploma Frame

Confirm Size and Orientation First: The most common reason a credential frame doesn’t look “right” is a size mismatch. Measure the paper itself and note whether it’s meant to hang vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape). If your diploma is an institution-specific size, you may need a frame that’s built around that exact opening or a mat opening that fits the document precisely.
Decide: Matted Opening vs. Full-Bleed: A mat can make a credential look more formal and intentional, especially on a credential wall where multiple frames need to feel cohesive. A full-bleed presentation shows the entire sheet and can feel simpler and more direct.
Choose a Profile and Finish that Match the Setting: Credential frames are often chosen to coordinate with office décor, furniture tones, or other frames in a hallway or gallery-style arrangement.
Glazing and Document Protection Considerations: Glazing affects both protection and readability, especially in bright offices with overhead lighting. If reflections are a concern, consider a lower-reflection glazing option; if clarity is the priority, choose a clear glazing.
Backing and How the Document is Held: A professional result depends on keeping the credential flat, aligned, and secure. If you’re planning a long-term display, consider how the backing supports the paper and how the document is secured in place.

Document Protection

You’ll want a graduation frame that protects your diploma and will prevent yellowing, brittleness, or cracking. Museum-quality document protection, a feature of our premium frames, offers conservation-quality matting, backing, and mounting materials. One of the most important factors in choosing the best diploma frame is UV light protection. We know how harmful UVA and UVB rays can be to documents. That’s why the right degree frames start with glass that will protect your diploma from sun damage.

Materials for Document Protection

All of our graduation frames feature acid-free matting and backing boards. We’ve all seen how old newspapers can turn yellow, become brittle, and crack over time. Be sure your diploma is safely encased in acid-free and lignin-free materials. This will ensure you avoid the same fate for your valuable diploma.

Glazing Options

Each frame comes with standard glass, but there are glass upgrade options available for added document protection:

Reflection control
Conservation UV protection
Conservation UV and reflection control

You choose the glass that meets your needs. For frames with documents larger than 12″x16″, we recommend Plexiglass. It’s more expensive than standard glass because it offers better damage-free protection when being shipped.

Choosing the Right Mat

You’ll find that most frames are crafted using three different types of mats: standard, suede, or linen. All mats are archival-quality and will help safely protect your diploma from damage.

Customization Options

Customizing university frames is a great way to show your degree or diploma while also creating a unique look. For thousands of institutions and universities, we provide custom-designed diploma frames. Our diploma frame types are available in a number of frame mouldings, mat colors, and glass selections to suit your unique preferences and needs. We also offer diploma frames with tassel boxes, double degree frames (side by side or stacked), diploma frames with portraits, diploma frames with channel cuts, triple degree, logo mat frames, and more.

Showcase Your School Seal

When we get permission from a school to use its seal, we enhance the diploma frame in compliance with licensing rights. We create ornate medallions and elegant embossed versions of the school seal. Our frame styles with medallions include the Masterpiece, Gold Engraved, Silver Engraved, or Spirit.

Embossing: Using the finest gold and silver foils, we press your school insignia and name onto a matboard to create a raised impression.
Medallions: Medallions are three-dimensional die-struck brass or pewter emblems that are mounted within the mat opening of the frame. We offer engraved or handpainted color enamel options. Medallions provide a bold, elevated look and serve as a focal point of pride for your frame.
Engraving: A step up from embossing, we sell frames with silver or gold engraved school seals set into the mat opening of a frame. Or using our Create-A-Frame tool, you can add your name or graduation year to an engraved plate below your degree.

Benefits of Choosing Custom Frames

There’s something to be said about the quality workmanship you get with customized diploma frames. You want to ensure that the degree frame you end up going with will offer adequate protection for one of the most important official documents in your possession. Getting a diploma frame from a specific university can be one of the best gifts you can get for the graduate in your life. Such an official document should not be hidden away in storage. So much time, money, and energy went into pursuing your college degree. And now’s the time to protect and show off your hard-earned diploma by framing it.

Customer Satisfaction

When it comes to purchasing frames for your degree or diploma, there is the need for the buyer to be completely satisfied. Moreover, the buyer must also understand the frame's features, such as the size, material, and design, before making their purchase. Buyer are totally concerned about the time of delivery of frame.

Mounting & Hanging

Mounting the document will not present any issues. We provide a list of complete step-by-step instructions for easily inserting and displaying your degree with precision. Best of all, each frame contains a Level-Lock® Hanging System to prevent crooked results and unnecessary holes in your wall. You’ll have your custom diploma frame hung on the wall in your home or office in no time!

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