You’ve spent years building your collection. Each piece—from that rare comic book to the signed vinyl record—tells a story. They aren't just objects; they are a part of your passion. So why trust their display to a cheap, off-the-shelf frame that could be slowly destroying them?
At Frame My Collection, we believe a frame should do more than just hold an item. It should protect it. That's why every one of our frames is crafted with a crucial component: a professional-grade mat board and your choice of UV-protective glass.
Here’s why these two features are a non-negotiable part of preserving your collection.
The Silent Killer: Why You Need Protection from UV Light
You've probably heard that keeping your collectibles out of direct sunlight is a good idea. That’s because light is a major cause of fading and deterioration. The real culprit? Ultraviolet (UV) light.
Even indirect sunlight, and some forms of artificial light, emit powerful UV rays. Over time, this energy breaks down the chemical bonds in the paper, ink, and pigments of your collectibles. This irreversible damage leads to fading, discoloration, and brittleness.
We offer two types of glass to help you protect your collection:
- Premium Clear Glass: This is our standard, high-quality glass included with every frame. It provides a basic but essential level of protection, blocking 45% of UV light. With less than 8% glare and over 90% clarity, it's perfect for items displayed in a light-controlled room. It's a significant upgrade from standard consumer-grade glass and offers great protection at no additional cost.
- Conservation Clear Glass: For your most valuable or fragile pieces, we offer a museum glass -a quality upgrade. Our Conservation Clear glass blocks a powerful 99% of UV light, making it ideal for items like old photographs, valuable artwork, or fragile newspaper clippings. If the piece you're framing will be displayed in an area that gets lots of natural sunlight, this upgrade is a smart investment to ensure it stays vibrant for a lifetime. This glass also features high clarity with less than 8% glare.
No matter which option you choose, you're getting a professional-grade solution that’s far superior to what you’d find at a big-box store.
The Invisible Threat: The Dangers of Acid
While UV light is the most visible threat, acid is a more subtle, internal one. Many mass-produced frames and mats are made from wood pulp, which naturally contains acidic compounds like lignin.
When a collectible is in direct contact with these acidic materials, a process called "acid migration" occurs. The acid slowly leaches from the mat board or backing board and begins to burn the paper of your item. This causes:
- "Mat Burn": A tell-tale sign of acid damage is the yellow or brown line that forms on the edges of a collectible, right where it touches the mat or backing.
- Discoloration and Stains: Over time, the entire paper surface can become discolored and splotchy.
- Weakening of Fibers: The acidic burn can make the paper brittle and fragile, significantly reducing its longevity.
Every mat we use is acid-free paper mat board, meaning it is pH neutral and won't harm your collectibles. This provides a crucial barrier between your item and the frame itself, ensuring its long-term integrity.
Your Passion, Protected for a Lifetime
Every collection is a journey. It’s the thrill of the hunt for that rare album, the memories tied to a childhood comic, or the pride of owning a piece of sports history. These items are a physical representation of your passion.
Our mission is to provide an affordable, conservation-safe solution that turns your collection from a storage project into a work of art. Our frames are designed to protect the very stories and memories that make your items special.
What story will you protect?
- For the music lover: That first album that changed your life, drum sticks from a favorite artist, or a signed record from a concert you'll never forget.
- For the sports fanatic: The trading card of your all-time hero, a cherished team program, or a signed jersey.
- For the pop culture enthusiast: The comic book you read until its pages were worn, a vintage movie poster, or a beloved Little Golden Book from your childhood.
No matter the item, we have a custom-fit frame designed to protect it from the threats of light and acid. If you have a unique or unusual collectible, we can also create a custom solution to ensure your memories are safe and beautifully displayed for generations to come.
It's an Investment in Preservation
Think of our frames as an insurance policy for your most treasured items. You wouldn't store a vintage car in a leaky shed, so why put your collectibles in a frame that doesn't offer proper protection?
Whether your collection has high monetary value or simply high sentimental value, it deserves to be preserved for generations. Choosing a frame with UV-protected museum glass and an acid-free paper mat board is the smartest way to ensure your memories and investments are protected for a lifetime.
Ready to give your collection the protection and display it deserves? Shop our collection of custom frames today!