How to Display Cards?

[steve B]

you don't even need foamboard.

I've framed a few things by putting them in a mylar sleeve and attaching the sleeve to the back of the matboard with archival photo corners. I cut my own mats so it works out nicely. I either use off the shelf frames, or the framing shop near me that caries the UV blocking glass has frames that you assemble. They come in packs of 2 sides, so you can make a good array of sizes. And they're deep enough that you can use a few layers of matboard. Most ready made frames are too shallow for more than one mat and a thin cardboard backer.

The craft store nearby also sells a card display case, but I'm not positive it does any UV blocking


Steve B

[xdrx]

Thanks for that link Drew. The search function...doh! Great info in there.

I'm thinking I'd probably do smaller displays, 1 to 5 cards max, though that thread gave me some great ideas about how to display my 57 Dodgers team set. Nothing I have is graded.

[xdrx]

Originally Posted by steve B

you don't even need foamboard.

I've framed a few things by putting them in a mylar sleeve and attaching the sleeve to the back of the matboard with archival photo corners. I cut my own mats so it works out nicely. I either use off the shelf frames, or the framing shop near me that caries the UV blocking glass has frames that you assemble. They come in packs of 2 sides, so you can make a good array of sizes. And they're deep enough that you can use a few layers of matboard. Most ready made frames are too shallow for more than one mat and a thin cardboard backer.

The craft store nearby also sells a card display case, but I'm not positive it does any UV blocking


Steve B

Thanks Steve. Any chance you can share a photo of what you've done? It sounds great, but I am concerned about the look of framing cards in sleeves. I'm guessing the mylar is super-clear. That does certainly mitigate the issues I am thinking about relative to trying to frame an unprotected card.

[steve B]

Sorry for the delay, I had to get one out and take a picture.

Not cards, but nice stuff. Uruguayan cyclist Julio Capdepont. A few items from the 20's - Poster, photo, racing license, and a few medals including a national championship medal. The medals are hung from the hanging loops by fishing line sewn through the back piece of matboard. The license and photo are attached to the back piece of mat by archival photocorners. And the poster is attached with archival photo corners with a Mylar overlay to keep it from collapsing out of the corners as it's very thin, almost like tissue paper.

Near match to Bianchi green for the front mat and a dark green back mat. The lower medal required 3 layers of mat because of its thickness.

The matboard was something like $5 a sheet, the frame was roughly 30-40 for the sections. The Glass is glare free UV blocking, the most expensive part. I think it was around $50. The poster is about 8 1/2 x11 so that will give you an idea of size.

Steve B

[steve B]

I don't have a pic, and it's not here for me to take one, but the fanciest I've done was for a marriage sampler my wife made for my sister.

Silver front mat with a fancier shape cutout, and I carved designs into the matboard which is silver metallic front with an acid free black core.

So you could probably carve in team logos or names if you were framing cards. Especially if the mat has contrasting outer and inner layers.

Steve B

[xdrx]

Steve, thanks a lot for taking the time to post that photo. Really looks great. Sure seems like I can come up with something similar. All I'm thinking is rectangles for cards, so it should be easy... Famous last words of a failed DIYer.

[campyfan39]

I made some wooden cases that fit cards in screwcases perfectly. Cost about 30 bucks and looks great

[David W]

I've done this for less expensive stuff