The Difference Between Displaying and Preserving Your Sports Memorabilia

frank Sumen • May 1, 2025

A signed football from Tom Brady’s final Super Bowl. A game-worn jersey from Kobe. A photo of Hank Aaron mid-swing, autograph intact. If you’ve picked up a piece like this—whether as a collector or a gift—it’s more than decoration. It’s part of sports history.

You want to display it proudly, but the wrong frame can cause irreversible harm, such as faded ink, stretched or discolored fabric, or warped photos and prints.

If you’re serious about keeping it intact, you need archival materials, proper mounting, and the right kind of glass—choices that keep the piece safe without damaging what makes it valuable. A custom sports frame can help you show off and preserve your prized piece with museum-level care.

Learn the difference between displaying and preserving sports memorabilia and how a professional framer can create a custom design that protects the piece’s structure and integrity while showing it off in style.

Displaying vs. Preserving: What’s the Difference?

When you get that cherished sports memorabilia, your first instinct might be to put it front and center—in your office, living room, or game room. However, the way you showcase it can impact its longevity and long-term value.

When framing collectibles, there are usually two different goals: displaying and preserving. They might look similar, but they serve very different purposes.

Displaying focuses on presentation:

Shows off the item in a bold, eye-catching way
Frames or places the piece where it’s easy to see
Uses colors or layouts to match a room or theme
Prioritizes visual impact over long-term care

Preserving focuses on conservation:

Keeps the item safe from light, moisture, and handling
Uses archival materials that prevent damage and deterioration
Aims to keep the item in its original condition for as long as possible
Prioritizes longevity, not just how it looks right now

Focusing on display without preservation can lead to long-term damage, decreasing not only the item’s value but also how it looks in your space.

Common Mistakes That Put Memorabilia at Risk

Many new collectors use store-bought frames and DIY fixes to show off rare finds, but these can degrade the piece over time. Common mistakes to avoid include:

Using standard glass. Most ready-made frames use basic glass that allows light to pass through. Without UV-shielding glass or acrylic, even soft indoor lighting or reflected sunlight can fade signatures, photos, and fabric colors.
Mounting with tape, glue, or pins. Adhesives might hold an item in place, but often stain, yellow, or weaken paper and fabric. Pins leave holes, and glue can become brittle, causing permanent damage.
Skipping conservation-friendly materials. Backing boards and mats that aren’t acid-free can break down over time, leading to discoloration and deterioration. Items like photos, tickets, and fabric are especially vulnerable.
Leaving the frame unsealed. Without professional fitting, moisture, dust, and pests like dust mites or silverfish can enter the frame and cause damage. Gaps also allow in humidity, which can break down paper items like scorecards or team schedules.
Improper layout or structural support. Items with depth—like signed gear, balls, and other soft or dimensional pieces—need more than a basic frame. Without the right support, fabric can sag, corners can crease, and shapes can warp.

These mistakes don’t just hurt the look—they can permanently lower the piece’s resale value. Working with a trusted sports memorabilia framing shop can give your piece the protection and presentation it needs to last.

How Professional Framing Safeguards Your Investment

Choosing a professional framer gives you more than a nice-looking conversation piece. Experienced artisans know how to display sports memorabilia in a way that keeps it in mint condition—not just now, but for years to come. Their work results in a beautiful presentation that shields, supports, and respects the piece inside.

Framers use the following materials and techniques to preserve sports memorabilia for customers:

Archival Materials

Framers rely on archival-grade materials that are acid-free, lignin-free, and designed for museum-quality conservation. These materials help prevent discoloration, mold, or breakdown caused by aging paper, cardboard, or fabric.

This is especially important for paper items like vintage scorecards, magazine covers, or autographed prints. Acidic mats or backings can leach into the piece over time, causing staining or brittleness.

UV-Filtering Glass

UV protective glass for memorabilia helps prevent sunlight and indoor lighting from fading ink or breaking down fabric. Even if the frame doesn’t face direct sunlight, ambient light can contribute to damage over time.

UV-filtering options are available in clear, anti-reflective finishes and museum-grade acrylic, helping your piece stay readable and vibrant without glare

Precision Mounting

Framing a signed jersey isn’t the same as mounting a vintage pennant or a game-used glove. A professional framer selects the method based on the item—hidden stitching for fabric pieces, clear corner pockets for paper, or padded mounts for three-dimensional objects.

These techniques keep items secure without flattening, creasing, or putting pressure on delicate materials, so nothing shifts, warps, or wears down inside the frame.

Frame Types Built for the Item

A skilled framer doesn’t rely on a one-size-fits-all design. They choose the style based on what the item needs, like shadow box framing for depth without pressure or a floating mount to keep paper pieces visible and elevated off the backing. For fabric or bulky pieces, they might construct a deep-set frame that prevents compression and allows for proper airflow.

Each choice affects how the item is seen and cared for. The right structure keeps it from touching the glass, limits movement, and prevents stress on fragile surfaces—all while making the display feel intentional and balanced.

These steps will maintain the look and longevity of your memorabilia, but many wonder about the cost of working with a custom framer versus handling it on their own. Comparing the two can reveal what you’re really getting—and what you might be risking.

Comparing DIY and Professional Options

Trying to frame it at home might seem like a budget-friendly option. But consider the long-term trade-offs:

What It Affects	DIY Framing	Professional Framing
Condition Over Time	Prone to fading, warping, or fabric damage due to poor materials or methods.	Preserves original color, structure, and integrity with archival practices.
Signature or Ink Longevity	Often exposed to light or chemical adhesives that cause fading or bleeding.	Enclosed in UV-filtering glass and acid-free materials that prevent decay.
Structural Support	Items may sag, crease, or press against the glass due to improper mounting.	Tailored support prevents distortion and maintains the item’s original shape.
Environmental Damage	Gaps or unsealed edges let in moisture, dust, and pests.	Museum-level sealing shields against environmental damage.
Display Quality	Basic layout, often poorly matched to the item’s proportions or style.	Custom design enhances visual impact while honoring the item’s form and story.
Long-Term Value	May reduce resale or appraisal value due to visible or hidden damage.	Helps retain the collectible’s market value.

DIY framing can cost you more in the long run, especially for vintage or rare collector’s items that might appreciate if well preserved. Professional framers can provide a custom quote tailored to your piece’s size and needs, helping ensure it maintains its value over time.

Protect What You Love With Help From FramePros

Framing memorabilia doesn’t require a tradeoff between appearance and long-term care. When done right, the two go hand in hand.

Whether it’s a shadowbox of your kid’s first home run ball or a signed jersey from your favorite player’s final season, the right frame preserves a memory.

At FramePros in Glendale, CA, we specialize in custom sports memorabilia framing that honors the story behind every piece. Our team uses archival materials, UV-filtering glass, and tailored designs to secure and present your item the right way, down to the smallest detail.

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