OT - Jersey Framing
Sorry for the OT this close to the bowl game. Mods please delete if this isn't cool. I got an auto Harbaugh Jersey from the santa wife and I need to get it framed. My last foray into this lead me to a frame shop here in KC and I ended up spending twice as much for the framing as the jersey. I have looked on line and found sports displays . com that is pretty reasonable and a few searches have taken me to a few message boards where people have used them and said they were fine. Does anyone have any experience in using them, or can they recommend another reputable place?
Thanks
December 28th, 2015 at 11:03 AM ^
Check these guys out.
http://secondstoryinteriors.com/
Official framers of all of Detroit's sports teams and the M-Den, these guys are the best in town. Ask for Craig.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
By the way, the price to frame a jersey is around $300 here.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
I have two jerseys framed and did both myself. I got the shadow box at Hobby Lobby then looked at pictures online to see different ways to hang it then just used colored push pins to hold it in place that way you couldnt see the pins. Little more work but a cheaper and faster way.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^
Michaels also sells these shadow box frames, intended for DIY framing of jerseys. They often have 50% off coupons for frames; just look online or in the paper. I framed a couple myself recently and it was simple. Total cost was ~$40.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^
The trick here is to wait until about the second week of January (or perhaps sooner when EVERYTHING goes on sale at Michaels. I think I picked up a full size box for a Leafs jersey for about $75.
John Madden (the former baseball guy) has a nice video on this topic (and several others)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEsHKWzIv_k
December 28th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 11:56 AM ^
I've gotten 3 jerseys framed there, all while using the sales coupons. They're great. They help you pick out a good mat color and frame to go with it. I have friends that have framed their jerseys themselves and it looks good, but having professionals at Michaels makes it look all that much nicer.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:56 AM ^
Could also get one of those acrylic display cases. That's what I use because I have a pretty good collection and only wall space for four at a time. I rotate them out as I want. I use a company called Penzoni Display Cases which is in Sturgis Michigan. Think they cost me $180 including shipping.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
I would wait for WD to answer.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^
Yes, I've used them for a gift of Devin Hester. Not bad but you get what you pay for. But I wasn't disappointed. My friend wasn't either, but there's not many options.
I've used Michaels for a Verlander Jersey and Woodson Jersey. The cheapest I've found. But you have to use their special coupons.
I framed a Woodson Jersey last year for $425. Had some bells and whistles through. However it would have cost $600 without the coupon. So without the coupon its way too much.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^
I did mine. It's really not difficult to do. Just go to Pat Catan's or Michael's, buy a frame, and do it yourself. It's a lot cheaper that way.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
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December 28th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
The difference is what you'd like to see your memorabilia displayed as.
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December 28th, 2015 at 11:23 AM ^
My last one was over $500 and it honestly didn't come out that great. That is the main reason I am asking. It was way too much money to be a bit disappointed.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:28 PM ^
If you spent over $500 and aren't happy with it, we need to get you to a different framer.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^
If you have it professionally done you will pay quite a bit but in my opinion it's worth it. Michael's did a great job on mine and they use materials that won't damage the jersey over time. I even had them sew a ticket to the backing through the jersey.
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December 28th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 11:38 AM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 11:56 AM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^
So I read everything on this site (and love it!). I don't chime in very often but really want to weigh in on this topic. I've been in the custom framing business for 22 years. I've owned my own successful (humblebrag?) location for 12 years in a very competitive market here in St. Louis and I am very involved with the various national organizations that are related to picture framing. I employ individuals who speak and educate at the national and regional conferences. Just wanted to establish credentials before giving you my opinion in a very long winded post.
I'm not going to slam anyone specifically but I just want all of the great Mgo folks to be informed.
1. Places like that online site have a place in this industry. They are performing a service that is adequate for many people. Lots of folks have a jersey that they had someone sign with a sharpie (bad idea!) when the player was walking off the practice field. Essentially, this item has very low value until/unless authenticated. In this case, if that individual really only cares about putting it up on the wall and displaying it for a while, this is a great alternative for them. If you truly value your item, this is a bad idea.
2. The big box stores will sell you some Chinese made preconfigured box for cheap and you can mount it yourself. This is also fine if you don't value the item you have just framed. Those boxes are not meant to protect/preserve your item. Just know what you are buying. If you truly value your item, this is a bad idea.
3. The big box stores have frame shops. Some of the folks that work there actually do know what they are doing. If you have them custom frame it, even with a coupon, just know that practically every small custom frame shop who knows what they are doing could beat/match that price and you'd probably be dealing with someone who has quite a bit more interest in doing things the right way. Keep in mind that there is a reason a few of those big box stores have been sued in many states for misleading the public when it comes to their "coupons". Many restrictions and caveats apply there.
Bottom line, decide what your goal is that I've occasionally directed people to sites like this. It really depends on their goals. If you just want to get it on the wall and don't need to preserve it, then this is a good idea. Although, if that's your goal you can tell a custom framer this as well and good ones should be able to solve your issue without you having to send your jersey to some anonymous person you'll never look in the eye. If your goal is to truly preserve the item that you have because it is worth something or it means something to you I strongly recommend that you visit your local custom frame shop and discuss your options. There is a huge difference between "Acid Free" mats and Museum/Conservation boards. There is a huge difference between "UV glass" and glass that is 99% UV protection. There is a huge difference between mounting your jersey with pins (if you live somewhere that isn't arid 100% of the time, you will actually be introducing rust into the fabric) or doing it one of the methods that are widely accepted in the industry.
Again, sorry for rivaling War and Peace here but I just don't want to have one of you walk into one of our shops one day because your internet frame is coming apart and come to the realization that the back of your jersey is a totally different color because of the wrong materials used and that to be able to "knock it out" quickly they took a bunch of shortcuts. You'd have no leg to stand on if they destroyed the value of your item because they are amazingly vague on their website as to what exactly they are doing.
Go Blue!
December 28th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^
I've often wondered just why in the hell framing was so expensive.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^
...but I suppose expensive is a matter of perspective. We frame so many Cardinals jerseys that we created a package where we do everything right for $299 plus tax. If someone is doing a quantity we will work on that price even. For some, that's not expensive to do something the right way. For others it's not within reach. In framing, the adage "you get what you pay for" couldn't be more accurate.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
custom framing shop back when my wife was doing a lot of cross stitch and kept going back. Even though the cost was more than the big boxes, for one of a kind items you really want it to be done right. That was years ago so I don't remember the place in the Chicago area, but I'd suggest checking out your local framing shop as well.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:15 PM ^
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December 28th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^
I used sports display and was really happy. It was $200 with free shipping and I still think you cant beat that. I know its now $230 I think? Still a great deal. Looks great and you wont break the bank. I would go with them again. My Derrick Rose jersey is what I had framed.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
Looks like they put a form inside of it to establish the shape and then mounted that. Of course, as a Pistons fan I have to morally be offended by the entire thing, but it looks nice.
December 28th, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 3:31 PM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 5:31 PM ^
That was pretty good.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
December 28th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
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December 28th, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^
I loved my experience with Sports Displays a year ago. I was able to work with Kevin directly and customize some of the layout and still paid their $200 fee. I will try to post a bigger picture, but you see my Denard work in my avatar.
Most people get the back of the jersey signed/shown, I had the front signed because the bottom back side of our jersey has stitching that reads "Those who stay will be champions". I wanted that to be shown along with the signature. This also required them to fold the front part of the jersey underneath so this text would be shown as well.
I worked with them on the matting color scheme, and the location of both the name plate and video game cover. That video game cover cutout is smaller than the standard 8x11 cutout in their offerings, but again they worked with me on this 100% to my satisfaction.
I have no reason to use any other service at this point. They were great.
December 28th, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^
Again, looks good. The only thing I might recommend is that you head into a local framer to have them switch out the glazing to something that will really help protect that signature better than the 94% UV acrylic product that they use.
December 28th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^
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December 28th, 2015 at 4:24 PM ^
While sunlight does more damage if you were to leave something exposed to it directly, the great majority of fading of artwork/displayed memorabilia occurs due to interior lighting due to proximity and frequent exposure. Just realize that it is impossible to completely stop fading (everything is dying!) but it's better to be as protected as possible. The difference between 94% protection and 99% protection is way more than a simple 5 point difference in the numbers.
December 28th, 2015 at 6:34 PM ^
/s
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December 28th, 2015 at 2:20 PM ^
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December 28th, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^
I clicked seriously expecting the post to relate to M's recruiting in the state of New Jersey and manufactured allegations of criminal activity.
I may need a break from sports (after the bowls, of course).
December 28th, 2015 at 7:50 PM ^
I've used sportsdisplays.com as well and was very satisfied. Get yourself a couple cards and an 8x10 of Harbaugh and Bo to go with your jersey. Shouldn't be that much on ebay.
December 28th, 2015 at 8:17 PM ^