After years of hard work, you have finally received your diploma. Don’t keep it rolled up in a tube or left in a drawer. The file or tube that you may use for storage is likely not acid-free and will contribute to damage over time. Your diploma is a testament to your expertise in your chosen field. It should be displayed in a way that protects it and imbues it with professionalism.

While putting your diploma on a plaque may sound like a good idea, this option often degrades the diploma by permanently adhering it to a piece of wood with a layer of shellac that will yellow over time. Other plaques use a thin piece of plastic and four brads that may require poking holes in the document. From a conservation perspective, both methods are unacceptable as they permanently alter the document.

Custom framing your diploma is the best option because it is completely reversible, meaning that you can remove the document at a later date without damaging it. The additional advantages are:

• Colors and style can be changed with ease. Over the course of your career, your office or home office may change. You might find that your original mat colors don’t mesh well with your new decor. In that case, you can easily switch out your original mats or frame and replace them to complement the new space.
• Safe easy removal for reproducing, if needed. Since custom framing is reversible, your diploma can be safely removed if you need a copy to send to a prospective employer, professional association or grad school application.
• Protection from fading and humidity. UV glass is the standard in custom framing a diploma. It will protect your diploma for years to come. The acid free matting that is used will not only provide color and dimension, but will create an air space between your diploma and the glass.

Your diploma is one of the most expensive and valuable credentials you will ever earn, let us help you give it the respect it deserves.