A lot of hard work and studying goes into earning certificates, years of studying, late nights and sacrifices. When it’s all done, it’d be a shame to tuck any certificate into a drawer where it can’t be seen as a reminder of all that hard work that finally paid off.
Ask yourself this about any certificate you’d like to see in a frame…
What type of frame does the certificate need?
Single?
When you only want to showcase a single certificate, the options are straightforward, a single picture frame, for which the A4 size will generally fit. Just remember since the certificate is on paper to also include an acid-free mount to protect it inside the frame.
You could consider upping the frame size and using the mount to push the certificate toward the centre of the frame. An oversized picture frame does tend to make it stand out and it can look classier.
In terms of where you’ll be hanging it, thin frame profiles tend to look the part in business settings, with broader frame mouldings being more suited to home environments.
More than one certificate can be framed inside a multi-aperture photo frame
Naturally, you’ll need the two certificates or more for this. However, it would be best for the certificates to be closely related. You want them to tell a story, just like other framed pictures you have do. The frame compliments the picture and the picture tells the story. Certificate frames are no different.
If you’re framing a Business Degree, then it wouldn’t really make sense to put your First Aid certificate in alongside it as it’d be telling a different story. If, however, you received a certificate in one field and later went onto study at a higher level, then you’d have two related certificates telling the same story in which case, it’d definitely be worth considering framing them together.
The advantage of this frame and display option is that it minimises wall space and makes the certificates in the frames seem larger so they’ll be more noticeable.
The Picture Gallery offer a range of multi-photo frames for A4 certificates or prints where you have the choice of 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6 aperture frames to hold A4 prints.
The triple frame for certificates in the family home
This is an ideal solution for parents as they can have the kids’ or even grandkids’ certificates framed alongside a graduation photo and insert a name plaque to dedicate the display to the college or university.
The mounts for any certificate frame
Oversized mounts work great for adding emphasis and a touch of class. A plain white mount or dark works well - depending on your frame. If you’re going to use a gold frame, a white mount may look more appealing, whereas a dark mount could work with many lighter colours.
To conclude:
Not every frame will carry the same effect as it’s what’s inside the frame that tells the story. Treat it the same as you would with a good photograph. Let the story be told and use the frame to draw the eye in.
With that in mind, the certificates that get framed together would be the ones that complement each other. It could be a high school diploma and then a university degree and a Masters. What wouldn’t have the same power is to have a business certificate framed beside a medal for winning a swimming contest. That would be a different story and therefore, better told in its own frame.
If you have certificates lying around collecting dust, dig them out, scan a copy and play around with our visualisation tool to see how your certificates could be presented – once they’ve been dusted off and never left to collect dust again once you’ve got them framed.