How Much Does it Cost to Frame a Jersey?

Highlights:

• The average price range for framing a jersey is between $175 to $600.
• Several factors, including style, add-ons, and customizations, can affect the price.
• The professional framing process involves pinning the jersey and using museum-quality materials like acid-free matting to preserve the jersey’s quality.
• Professional framers use stainless steel pins and UV-protective plexiglass to protect your jersey.
• The quality of the materials used is worth the cost of professional framing services to protect the jersey’s sentimental and financial value.

Framing a jersey, especially one signed or worn by a favorite athlete, is more than just preserving a keepsake—it’s a way to capture a piece of sports history. With approximately 59% of adult Americans identifying as sports fans, memorabilia, like jerseys, are cultural artifacts. 

Sports jerseys can also become important financial investments, with the value of sports memorabilia expected to reach $227.2 billion by 2032.

Whether it’s the iconic number 42 of Jackie Robinson, a local hero’s high school jersey, or your college jersey, framing ensures these textiles stand the test of time. Our in-depth guide provides valuable insights on what you need to know about the costs involved in sports memorabilia jersey framing.

How Much Does it Cost to Frame a Jersey?

The cost to frame a jersey in Los Angeles County can vary from as low as $175 to as much as $600 on average. While this may seem like a hefty investment, it’s important to consider what you’re preserving: a piece of sports history, a sentimental keepsake, and potentially a high-value collectible. 

Quality football or baseball jersey framing not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures the longevity of the jersey by protecting it from elements like light, dust, and moisture.

The following table highlights what you can expect to pay at various places that frame jerseys:

Factors Affecting the Jersey Framing Cost

When framing a jersey, it’s not just a one-size-fits-all price tag. Several variables can affect how much you’ll ultimately need to invest. The following is a breakdown of factors influencing the cost of framing your treasured sports memorabilia.

Frame Type

Opting for high-end materials like UV-protective glass, suede matting, or shadowbox designs elevates the visual appeal and increases durability—however, the more unique and high-end the frame type, the higher the price point.

At FramePros, we offer a wide range of frame types, letting you showcase your jersey the way you envision, from UV-protective glass that shields your memorabilia from sun damage to luxurious suede matting that adds a touch of elegance. 

You can also choose shadow box frames, popular for football, hockey, and basketball jerseys. Shadow box frames for sports jerseys typically have a 2”-3” space between the front glass and the backing, which add dimension to the framed items. 

The type of matting you select can also transform the look of the final result. FramePros offers standard and custom-sized mats that allow you to include multiple items in a single frame, as well as double matting. 

Double matting is a framing technique where two layers of matboard are used to surround and highlight the jersey. The top mat is the primary mat that is closest to the jersey, while the bottom mat serves as an accent layer that peeks out from behind the top mat. This creates a small border around the jersey, creating a layered, sophisticated look.

Frame Size

For football and soccer jersey framing services, a smaller frame that highlights the player’s name and number could be less expensive than a life-sized frame replicating the jersey’s actual dimensions. Depending on whether you want a simple office wall decoration or an extensive at-home sports museum, the size you choose will impact the cost.

Customizations

Customization allows you to personalize your framed jersey. FramePros provides various options to make your framed jersey one-of-a-kind. You can incorporate elements like team logos or colors, adding another layer of character to the final piece. However, the more specific your customizations, the more it adds to the overall price.

Add-ons

Think of your framed jersey as a story told through memorabilia. Adding elements like pennants, medals, photographs, newspaper clippings, or magazine covers can enrich the narrative and add to the cost. Options such as a full plate, a mahogany frame, or a photograph can add $60 to $100 to your basic frame price.

Shipping

If you choose an online framer, you’ll need to factor in shipping costs, which could be around $50, including the cost to return your framed jersey to your address. This is important if your chosen frame size or type might incur additional shipping fees due to its dimensions or weight.

Framing a Jersey: The Process

Football and basketball jersey framing is more than just placing the jersey in a frame; it’s a carefully thought out process that preserves and showcases your treasured sports memorabilia.

• Personal consultation: At FramePros, we start with a personalized consultation. You’ll discuss various frame options and design elements that highlight your jersey with a consultant.
• Precise ironing: Before it’s ready for framing, the jersey is ironed. This step ensures that it looks its best and is free of wrinkles or creases that could impact its appearance inside the frame.
• Pinning the jersey: The jersey is then pinned inside the frame using specially designed stainless steel framing pins. These pins secure the jersey to the matting without causing damage, ensuring its longevity.
• Material selection: FramePros offers a range of museum-quality options that will not cause chemical degradation of your memorabilia, which is a risk with generic frames.
• Quality inspection: After assembly, the framed jersey undergoes a rigorous 16-step inspection process to ensure maximum quality before a master craftsman does a final inspection. 

Tips for Preserving the Jersey

Preserving a sports jersey, especially one with sentimental or monetary value, is crucial. Whether framing a signed jersey from a favorite athlete or one worn during a memorable game, keeping it in top condition requires some proactive steps. Tips to ensure the safety of your jersey:

• Acid-free matting: Acidic mats can react with the dyes in the fabric, causing colors to bleed. Over time, this can result in a blurry or smudged appearance around the edges where the fabric touches the mat. Opt for acid-free jersey frame matting for long-term preservation.
• UV-protective plexiglass: UV radiation can weaken the fibers in the jersey material, causing them to become brittle over time. This can lead to tearing or fraying, especially at stress points like seams.
  UV rays can also cause a chemical reaction in some dyes and materials, leading to changes in color or even the development of a yellowish tint on white areas. Upgrade to UV-protective plexiglass when framing your jersey to prevent damage due to exposure to sunlight.
• Quality pins and fasteners: Non-stainless steel pins are susceptible to rust and corrosion over time, especially in humid conditions. Once rust sets in, it can stain the fabric and become difficult to remove. 
  Even before rusting, non-stainless steel pins can react with the dyes or fibers in the jersey, leading to discoloration around the pin sites. This can result in visible spots or marks that detract from the appearance of the framed jersey.
  Use stainless steel framing pins or other non-damaging fasteners to secure the jersey to the frame.
• Check adhesives: Cheap adhesives often contain impurities or non-archival components that can lead to staining. Over time, these stains can become permanent.
  Some low-quality adhesives leave behind a sticky or oily residue that can attract dust and dirt. This affects the jersey’s appearance and makes it more challenging to clean or restore in the future.
  Make sure the framing company uses no damaging adhesives. The jersey should be attached to the frame using materials like a foam core that will not harm it.
• Regular maintenance: Occasionally, open the frame to check the jersey’s condition. This lets you spot issues like color bleeding or mold growth early on.
  Though less common, insects could also find their way into the frame and damage the jersey. Periodic checks help ensure you catch and address any such infestation early on.

Protect Your Sports Memorabilia with FramePros

While professional soccer, basketball, and football jersey framing costs more than DIY or craft store options, it is worth the investment. High-quality materials such as acid-free matting and museum-quality frames ensure your jersey is well-preserved. 

FramePros is a custom framing store in Glendale, California, specializing in framing sports memorabilia. Contact FramePros today to get a quote for a custom-framed jersey.