Framing your card collections

[Guest]

[Jon]

Hey everyone! I think Ive read a topic talking about this before, but I couldnt find it. So I made this one.

Anyway, I am extremely interested in framing my cards (once I complete their respective sets, of course), and I was wondering if anyone has any advice on doing so?Does anyone here actual frame their cards? Do you know where I can find some reference photos to yours or some else's framed cards?

I have some I ideas  in my head, but if someone has already done some framing, I can work off that example as well. Im just trying to find the best and most eye appealing way to frame them. Do I use protectors in the frame or just trust that the archivial tape holding them wont damage the cards in the long run?

The first set I am framing will be the SDCC Death Eater set. Ive already drawn out the matte board layout and hopefully Il be picking out a frame this week. The only thing Im unsure of is the whole protection part of it. If you have any ideas or suggestions, I would really appreciate your feedback. Thank you!

[kbmum]

The thread is in the General Discussion section.   It looks like some of the pictures are missing, though.

http://www.theyakshack.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2342.0.html

[Jon]

Thank you. Yup, that was the thread I was talking about. All the pictures are missing, though.

[Kelly]

I'll take more pictures of what I have.
The death eater cards will be harder to do.  Since they're oversized, I'm not sure what kind of plastic cases you'll be able to find for them.  I definately wouldn't try to tape them or have a framer mount them without a protective case.  Are they sitting in a foam cut out or something?  Post a photo, I can't remember what the box lookes like.

[Jon]

Thanks Kelly! I was hoping you would respond as it seems you have some experience. Yeah, their sitting in a foam cutout in a nice hinged box. Im also planning to take off the plack on roof of the box and framing that as well. Its just stuck on there with tape and is easily removed. Itll give it a nice touch, especially with the number and engraving on the plack. Ill post my drawings and you can give me suggestions on what you think I should do and how I should do it. Thanks!

[Kelly]

Jon, I just saw a good picture of the set.  Here's what I would do if it's possible.  I would have the framer frame the entire black foam piece with cards inside.  This will hold the cards in position without having something stuck on the backs.  You could take off the little nametag thing and mount it on the bottom of the frame itself.  Does that make any sence?

[terryweasley]

I saw one of the boxes in the Diagon Alley thread.  Kelly's suggestion is similar to my idea.  If they were my cards, I would frame the whole box.  Since it's a box set, it will be more valuable if you have the orignal box to go with the cards.  I'd also check on using UV protected glass.  You have to worry about sunlight fading the cards and material.  I would consider using it even if the cards are going to be in a room that gets little sunlight.  An ounce of protection is worth a pound a cure.

[Jon]

Thank you for the suggestions. Hmm. That may work Kelly, but wont it be a little less aesthetically pleasing? Unless it is framed in the foam and matting will be put over the foam areas. Is that what you had in mind? If that works it gives me a decent way of keeping the cards in future projects mint without using protective cases within the frame. I am definitely using UV protection glass, that was one of the first things I thought about. I dont usually have sunlight pouring into the room, but every little bit of protection is worth the money.

[kbmum]

Won't that foam damage the cards over time?  It probably isn't an archival-quality medium.  What is the exact size of the cards?

[Jon]

The cards are 3" x 5".

[kbmum]

Ultra Pro makes a screwdown that's 4 x 6 inches, but I don't know how thick a card it can hold.

[Jon]

Is there a way to do this without using protectors?

[Kelly]

Won't that foam damage the cards over time?  It probably isn't an archival-quality medium.  What is the exact size of the cards?

Good point.  I wasn't thinking about that.  Back to the drawing board. 

[Kelly]

Here's what I've done.  For the large frames with costumes:  Black foam core board with slots cut out.  Cards are all in mini-snap cases.  All are enclosed in a hinged collectible case.  Once every set is out and I have all the characters available, I'll go back and label them on the bottom in silver ink.  I've tried to arrange them in order of character appearance.  If anyone sees one out or order, please tell me. 

For the small frames: They're called memory frames and I got them at Michaels craft store.  They don't carry them anymore, but I'm sure they have something similar.  All cards are in mini-snaps.