Best Practices for Framing Sports Jerseys for Long-Term Preservation
A sports jersey, for some, is more than just a piece of clothing. If you’re considering framing a jersey then it must hold some significant value to you. It can be the jersey your child first wore, or the guernsey from a momentous grand final victory. Perhaps you’ve managed to get a collection of signatures from your favourite team. For whatever reason, you naturally want to preserve this treasured item.
Master Framing understands this. We’re masters of jersey framing in Sydney and can have your treasured jersey on display in your home looking good and being the centre of attention. When properly preserved it can become more than a keepsake. It can become a statement piece, a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.
Sentimental value is just one reason you need proper long-term preservation. There can be a significant dollar-value attached to a team jersey, especially if it is signed, or was actually worn in a grand final or other sign post match. Without the proper preparation and preservation, a jersey can fade or fray over time, decreasing in value and in aesthetic value.
Framing a jersey is more than just putting it in a frame behind glass and hanging it on a wall. Master Framing has a few options to really show off your souvenir, your trophy, your sentimental grand-final winning jersey from the under 16’s local soccer league. In this article we’ll show you why you would frame a jersey and the best way to do it. This will help you understand the process and know how best to display your prized possession.
Why Frame a Jersey?
When it comes to preserving and displaying a jersey, the two biggest reasons are sentimentality and practicality.
This item of clothing has a special place in your heart. Perhaps you went to every game during a season and managed to get every player to sign the back.
From there you know that just hanging it on the wall with a hanger is both not a good way to protect your prized possession, nor is it a very attractive way to display it.
Practical reasons to frame a jersey.
- Protection and Preservation. This is the key reason we’re writing this article for you. Jerseys are very susceptible to fading from UV light, damage from dust and other airborne contaminants, and can be subject to physical damage - spills from clumsy people, or even fall victim to moths. Framing protects the jersey from moths and spills, and with UV resistant glass it can stop fading over the years.
- Enhancing Their Value. A properly framed and displayed jersey, possibly with a display plate or a framed certificate of authentication, holds value much better than if it was stored in a wardrobe or in a box.
- More Than Just Framing a Jersey. If you have associated photos, or other memorabilia that pairs with the jersey, such as a medal or certificate, having all of this included in the one frame turns it into a statement piece, a genuine collectible item. It also becomes a piece of art on the wall. It’s more than just a jersey, it becomes something customised to who you are and what you value.
Emotional Reasons To Frame A jersey
- Immortalising Memories. These jerseys often signpost an important moment in your personal history. It could be your premiership winning top, or one that a champion player handed to you. You could have bought it on an overseas trip, or swapped it with a rival. Framing it captures that moment in time and lets you relive the moment every time you see the jersey hanging on your wall.
- Honouring Legacy and Hard Work. For professional athletes, framing jerseys can be a way of honouring the sacrifices they make for their success. All those years up at the crack of dawn, training and strict dietary regimes, framing a jersey can be a tribute to all of that.
- A Tribute to a Lost Friend. Sometimes you frame a jersey of a loved one who has passed. It keeps their spirit and love for the game alive in your heart, if not in the stands with you.
- Showing Your Connection to Your Club. Many people are members of their favourite sporting club. Framing a jersey, and possibly including team photos or tickets to specific games, can strengthen your loyalty and passion for your club.
How To Frame a Jersey
Once a jersey is under glass it can be difficult to adjust and reframe. Getting it perfect the first time is what you’re aiming for. Master Framing has years of experience in framing jerseys for Sydneysiders. We prepare the jersey meticulously and use best-practices in displaying them for you.
Preparation of the Jersey
The jersey needs to be cleaned before framing. We ensure it is clear of stains, such as dirt, sweat or blood, and clear of debris, like sticks or grass. Dirt or stains can cause deterioration over time.
Once it is clean it needs to be gently ironed to remove all the wrinkles. This is done on low heat to avoid risk of smudging any signatures, or accidentally scorching a transfer. Alternatively, you can lay it flat under a heavy object for several hours to remove all creases.
When you’re handling the garment, wear some clean, dry, cotton gloves. This stops any natural skin oils transferring to the fabric and causing smudges or stains.
Mounting the Jersey- Non-Invasive
You want to mount the jersey in such a way as to not damage it. Hot glue, staples or tape are not recommended as they will damage the jersey when mounting, and if you wish to remove it in the future, it will certainly be damaged.
You can sew-mount your jersey using either invisible thread or a thread colour matching the jersey itself. Do this before mounting onto an acid-free backboard.
You can use special archival pins. These are rust-proof, stainless steel pins. You anchor the jersey using strategic pins, under the arms and under the collar, to hide them from view.
A foam insert is also a good way to preserve shape. Insert a custom-cut and acid-free foam board inside the jersey. This helps hold shape and prevent sagging.
What Materials to Use for Long-Term Preservation
A deep shadow-box frame should be used to keep the jersey from resting against the glass. This prevents unsightly flat spots and helps with air circulation, preventing mould from growing.
Use a UV-protective glass or acrylic to prevent the fading of any colours or signatures on the jersey.
Always use acid-free matting and backing boards to prevent any yellowing of your jersey over time.
If you need to, insert some spacers to make sure the fabric of the jersey doesn’t make contact with the glass.
Layout and Display
Choose if you want to show the back of the jersey- show the team name, or player name and number, or the front of the jersey to show off signatures and team branding. This will determine how the jersey is folded and displayed.
Fold the sleeves neatly, holding them with pins to ensure they are neat and symmetrical when folded.
If you have extra memorabilia you wish to display, such as tickets, medals or photos, you can choose to have a custom frame created, or display these in the same space as the jersey. Make sure these extras are also mounted with acid-free materials.
Where to Hang Your Jersey
Hang the jersey on a wall that is not in direct sunlight. UV protection is good, but even direct sunlight will damage your memorabilia over time. If the room you wish to hang it in is a little dark, consider installing some dedicated lighting for the hanging works of art.
Avoid humid areas. Even the best sealed frames will succumb to humidity over time. Well-ventilated areas with stable temperatures are best.
Inspect the frames annually for any signs of moisture or mould. Also check the jerseys themselves to see if there are any signs of movement.
What Does Master Framing Offer You?
Framing jerseys goes beyond standard picture framing. Many people place a higher value on a team jersey than on photos, which we completely understand. Also, being a three-dimensional object, something you can hold in your hands, it requires a different level of care and preparation.
We can custom-make a shadow box to include medals, photos or tickets alongside your jersey.
The framing options can include a double mat, single mat or straight under glass. A very popular framing option is double mat in team colours to showcase the framed jersey.
We prepare your jersey with precision, carefully stretching and pinning it, and we use all acid-free materials so there is no risk of yellowing in the years to come.
Framing a jersey is such a great way to immortalise sporting moments in your life, raise your flag high for the team that you support come premiership or wooden spoon. Find your nearest store or send us an email telling us of your sporting triumph, and we’ll help you remember it forever.
