Glass Diploma Frame Buying Guide

A diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it symbolizes years of dedication, hard work, and achievement. 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. When it comes to diploma framing, choosing the right type of glass to put in your frame is extremely important. To protect your diploma from any type of damage, it's essential that you have it framed right away. Purchasing diploma frames online has become the most convenient way to preserve and showcase one of your most significant achievements. With so many styles, diploma frame sizes, and customization options available, shopping online enables you to find a frame that complements both your degree and personality. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about frame materials, matting, finishes, and glass options.

Understanding Diploma Frames

A diploma frame is a special type of picture frame designed to display diplomas, degrees, or other certificates of achievement. A diploma frame is unique in that it combines functionality and style. 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. These frames are generally made to fit standard diploma sizes, but can also be custom-made for documents that have non-standard dimensions.

Key Components of a Diploma Frame

Frame: This is the outer structure that holds the entire piece together. The material of the frame itself plays a crucial role in cost determination. Common picture framing materials include wood, metal, and composite. Wood frames provide a traditional, elegant look that works well in professional settings. Metal frames offer a sleek, modern appeal.
Mat: The mat is a border that surrounds the diploma within the frame, adding depth and a professional look to the display. Matting is crucial for aesthetic appeal and to protect the document from damage caused by contact with the glass. Use archival or acid-free matting to prevent yellowing over time.
Glazing: This is the glass or acrylic cover that protects the diploma from dust, sunlight, and other potential harm. Glazing refers to the coating on picture frame glass or acrylic (Plexiglass) and the protection it provides to the contents.
Backing: This is the supportive material at the back of the frame.

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 Glazing: Understanding Glass Options

You’ll need to know which glass to choose to safeguard your valuable papers. Choose the type of “glazing” for your photo frame glass carefully. Factors to consider include cost-effective options, the items you are framing, and where you will hang the pieces. You will also have to consider aesthetics. Are you aiming for a surface with a glossy shine or maximum clarity so that something in the art stands out? Maybe you’ll choose picture frame glazing that doesn’t reflect light. This will create a more muted look, similar to museum glass. There are a number of glazing options. Regular picture glass is the most common type of glazing. Other options include non-glare glass, acrylic picture frame glass, and conservation- or museum-grade glass.

Types of Glazing for Glass Frames

From UV glass frames to conservation glass, there are many options to choose from when creating your custom frame.

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Regular Glass Frame: Regular picture glass is strong, not easily scratched, and the most popular and inexpensive option. Regular glass is cost-effective but may produce a glare. It protects the art fairly well and has approximately 45% UV protection (both UVA and UVB rays). In an environment where the lighting is controlled, this glass allows for approximately 90% of light transmission with no more than 8% light reflection. Regular glass is also easy to clean with standard glass cleaner, although we do recommend using an ammonia-free brand. On the downside, regular glass is brittle, heavy, and doesn’t contain any reflection-control properties.
Non-Glare Glass: Non-glare or reflection-control glass has a matte finish. This finish diffuses light reflections, making it ideal for artwork in areas that are prone to glare. If you don’t find shiny glass aesthetically pleasing, this is a good choice. This type of glass has a slightly frosted coating on one side to prevent glare and reflections. This glass comes with a non-glare matte finish. It also allows more than 89% light transmission and minimizes glare. The matte-finish surface should be on the front of the framed piece with the regular shiny side facing inward. This glazing will reduce glare and reflections. Non-glare glass does have a disadvantage.
Acrylic Picture Frame Glass: Another popular glazing option is acrylic picture frame glass, commonly called Plexiglass. Acrylic glazing is much lighter than glass and very difficult to break. It comes in regular, non-glare, standard, and conservation-quality forms. Shipping framed pieces with acrylic glazing is much easier and safer, especially for large pieces. The disadvantages of acrylic covers are that they scratch easily and are generally more expensive than glass. Also, because it’s made of plastic, regular glass cleaners will make the surface foggy. And even a paper towel can scratch this surface. A soft cloth and a special Plexiglass cleaner, or plain water, should be used to clean clear acrylic glazing. For reflection-control acrylic, we suggest a dry microfiber cloth, wiping in a soft, circular motion (or mild soap and water solution may be used if dry cleaning is not effective).
Styrene: Some lower-cost commercially framed posters or ready-made frames may include a thin plastic called Styrene. This material is lightweight, inexpensive, and resists shattering. Its main purpose is to provide physical protection from dust and scratches, but it does not have a very substantial appearance for framing projects.

UV Protection and Conservation

Standard glass/Plexiglas is capable of blocking up to 45% of UV rays that can lead to fading and discoloring of your document or photo. UV protection glass blocks up to 99% of harmful UV light rays, protecting your diploma against damage and fading caused by UV light over time.

Conservation Glass: Conservation or museum-grade glazing has a special coating that eliminates 99% of the UV light that can cause fading. This offers the highest level of UV protection. Museum-quality glass frame blocks 99% of UV rays and has a non-glare, matte finish. This conservation-grade glass reduces glare and protects the framed item from the harmful effects of UV rays. This premium glazing is also optically very clear and will keep framed pieces looking brighter for many years. Conservation glass is costly. However, it is worth the expense if you need to protect a special souvenir or valuable artwork. We recommend Tru Vue® for conservation-quality glass and acrylic. Tru Vue® Conservation Clear® is an excellent product for those looking for a clear glass with extra thickness. It also has an optically clear UV coating with no ripple effect. The UV coating of lesser-quality brands may produce an “orange peel” effect, which distorts the image quality. This is the reason we prefer to use Tru Vue®. You can have it all with Conservation Reflection Control® acrylic. This upgrade option provides maximum UV protection, optimal clarity plus the benefits of a lightweight, non-reflective surface and high breakage resistance. You will pay the most for UVRC (UV + reflection control) glass and acrylic, but it is a fantastic product. This surface should be cleaned with a dry microfiber cloth by wiping in a soft, circular motion. Mild soap and water solution may be used if dry cleaning is not effective, but do not use glass or acrylic cleaners.

Additional Considerations for Choosing Glazing

Consider Your Artwork: Acrylic may not be the best choice for “loose media,” such as charcoals or pastels. Acrylic can build up a static charge, which can attract the pigment particles off the paper. There are premium acrylic products with anti-static properties suited for these special applications if you need a lightweight acrylic option. Additionally, keep in mind that it is important to create air space between the glazing and the art itself. This is the main reason for choosing a mat or spacer bars to separate the art from the glazing. Always consider what your artwork is made of in addition to its dimensions and weight before choosing picture frame glass.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: No matter which picture frame glass you choose, it’s always best to keep important or valuable pieces away from direct light sources such as windows. Keep in mind too that, over time, exposure to both indoor and outdoor UV rays can contribute to fading and deterioration of art, photographs, historical documents, and other framed keepsakes. Today, most giclées (digital artwork printed from inkjet printers), high-quality reproductions, and original artwork use permanent inks and pigments, as do most formal certificates and documents. This is not guaranteed, however, and older pieces are likely to be prone to fading. Some elements like signatures might be in non-permanent ink, and those areas are susceptible to fading while the rest of the piece or document may be color-stable. The surest course to prevent color fading is to invest in a conservation-quality, high UV-blocking type of glazing for your frame.

Steps to Framing Your Diploma

The first step in framing your diploma or certificate is determining its dimensions. Most diplomas are 8.5”x11”, but some schools make them 11”x14” or larger.
Consider the type of material that suits your style and the room decor where the document will be displayed.
Matting is crucial for aesthetic appeal and to protect the document from damage caused by contact with the glass. Use archival or acid-free matting to prevent yellowing over time.
Glazing refers to the glass or acrylic that covers and protects the document. Regular glass is cost-effective but may produce a glare. Non-glare glass reduces reflection but can somewhat distort the view.
If your document has unusual dimensions or you want a specific style, a custom frame might be the best option.
Whether you’re buying a ready-made or custom frame, it’s important to choose a reputable frame shop. Professional diploma framing will provide you with different options in terms of glass and the framing so you can decide on how you want your document to appear.

Finding the Right Frame

With multiple framing and molding customizations available, the diploma framing cost is still flexible to meet many budgets. Handcrafted, officially licensed diploma frames are made from premium materials.

Online Options

Purchasing diploma frames online has become the most convenient way to preserve and showcase one of your most significant achievements. With so many styles, diploma frame sizes, and customization options available, shopping online enables you to find a frame that complements both your degree and personality.

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