Military medals, ribbons, and insignia are symbols of service, sacrifice, and dedication. After a military career, these items are cherished reminders of incredible accomplishments, but they frequently end up stored in a drawer, hidden from view, and at risk of damage.

Creating a display that honors these achievements is a meaningful way to preserve a legacy for generations to admire. To turn these treasured keepsakes into a beautiful work of art, use this guide for framing military medals.

The Importance of Preservation

Over time, the very elements meant to honor a service member are susceptible to environmental damage. The vibrant colors in ribbons fade when exposed to sunlight, and medals tarnish from contact with air and moisture. Photographs, letters, and patches become yellow and brittle without protection.

Turn a collection of objects into a lasting tribute that tells a story of honor and commitment. Framing these items in a sealed display shields them from dust, humidity, and harmful UV light, preserving their condition and value.

Gathering the Elements for Your Display

The first step in this creative process is to collect all the items you want to feature. Think about what items, when combined, will tell the story of a service member’s career.

• Medals and ribbons are the core of the display.
• Rank insignia, unit patches, and qualification badges add important context and visual detail. They illustrate the journey and affiliations of the service member.
• Photographs of the individual in uniform add a deeply personal connection and create a strong focal point for the arrangement.
• Award citations, commendation letters, or commissioning papers offer written accounts of the individual’s honorable achievements.
• Dog tags and other small, personal mementos provide a direct link to the individual who served.

The next step is to clean the items gently, so they’ll shine when positioned in the frame. A soft, dry microfiber cloth works well for wiping dust from medals and hard surfaces. Avoid using harsh chemical polishes; they are abrasive and might cause permanent discoloration or scratches.

Key Components of a Quality Frame

The frame itself needs to be high quality because it should gracefully reflect the service member’s honorable actions and protect the valuable memorabilia.

The Frame Structure

The most important consideration is choosing a sturdy, high-quality material that complements the medals and fits the decor of the room where it will hang.

The outer frame sets the visual tone for the piece. Wood frames—such as oak, cherry, and walnut—offer a timeless, distinguished appearance.

Some households prefer a more contemporary look. In this case, a simple black or metallic frame will look stunning.

The Glazing

The glazing, or the glass-like cover, is a key protective feature. While standard glass provides a basic barrier, specialized options are the best for making the memorabilia last a lifetime.

UV-protective glazing is highly recommended because it blocks the majority of harmful ultraviolet rays, which prevents the colors in ribbons and photos from fading. You might also consider antireflective glazing, which reduces glare and provides a clearer view of the items inside.

The Matboard

The matboard is the decorative layer that surrounds the items and separates them from the glazing. The visual border draws eyes toward the medals and any other central elements. It also creates a small air gap between the items and the glazing to prevent potential moisture transfer.

Always select acid-free, archival-quality matboard. Lesser quality matboard contains acids that can seep into fabrics and papers, causing discoloration and deterioration known as mat burn. Archival materials are stable and will not harm your heirlooms.

The Mounting Method

The positioning of the medals on the backing is extremely important. Adhesives like glue or tape could cause irreversible damage. If you ever wanted to remove the memorabilia, you might find this task especially difficult.

A proper mounting technique holds every item securely in place without causing harm, and it is completely reversible. Medals are typically stitched onto the matboard with a fine thread that is invisible from the front.

Other objects, like photos or documents, might be held with archival-quality mounting strips or photo corners. This is one area where the skill of professional custom framing is especially valuable. At Complete Pictures, we will mount each item securely and preserve its integrity.

Designing a Meaningful Layout

After choosing the materials, you can focus on the artistic arrangement. The layout determines how the story is told, so it should feel balanced and logical.

Formal or Personalized Arrangement

There are two general approaches to arranging military medals. A formal layout follows military protocol for the order of precedence, arranging medals in a specific hierarchy from top to bottom, left to right. This style is traditional, orderly, and easily recognized by those with military experience.

A personalized layout allows for more creative freedom. You could place a photograph in the center and arrange medals, patches, and documents around it to create a visual narrative. This style focuses less on strict protocol and more on telling a personal story that highlights what is most meaningful to the service member and their family.

Tips for a Balanced Composition

Regardless of your preferred composition style, there are a few basic design principles to follow. Identify a focal point for the display, which is commonly a central photograph, the highest-ranking medal, or a folded flag. Arrange the other items around it to create a sense of visual balance.

Distribute colors and shapes evenly so that one side doesn’t feel heavier than the other. Grouping related items, such as a medal with its corresponding certificate, helps create a cohesive and easy-to-follow story.

Before finalizing anything, lay everything out on a table to experiment with different arrangements until you find one that feels right. When partnering with a professional framing company, the team will work with you to construct the best layout.

Showcase Military Medals With the Help of Complete Pictures

A custom-framed display for military medals is a rewarding project that honors a legacy of service. The display will stand as a proud reminder of dedication, courage, and commitment.

After browsing this guide to framing military medals, it’s evident that the assistance of a professional is necessary to preserve the memorabilia. If you are ready to create a lasting tribute for the service member in your life, the artisans at Complete Pictures can help you design a display that honors their story with dignity. Explore our gallery for inspiration, and contact us to transform medals into masterpieces.