“Why are custom frames so expensive?” It’s a question we at Church Hill Classics hear quite often. You could purchase a flimsy $10 frame at your local art supply store. You could even try your hand at constructing a DIY diploma frame. But why would you put a priceless document at risk?
Take a moment to consider how much your diploma is worth. A four-year degree = hundreds of thousands of dollars + years of family sacrifices + countless hours studying + timeless memories. Think about all of the time, money, and energy that went into earning that piece of paper. Why would you let it fade, crack, and disintegrate in an inexpensive diploma frame from the dollar store? Your credentials deserve the very best diploma frame.
How much does it actually cost to frame a diploma? We uncover why diploma frames are so expensive. We delve into the general cost to frame a diploma and answer it all.
That Paper Is Worth $150,000 or More!
A college diploma is one of the most expensive and valuable credentials you’ll ever earn. In fact, it’s printed on one of the most fragile materials. Paper can easily tear, crease, stain, and decompose due to improper handling or storage. Remember, water and oils are paper’s worst enemy.
Keeping your degree in its original diploma holder or rolled up in its cardboard mailing tube won’t keep it safe. Acids from these storage materials can eat away at the cellulose in your document. The paper will turn yellow, become brittle, and eventually crack.
So, why are diploma frames so expensive? Because they’re crafted to protect one of the most important and fragile documents you’ll receive in your lifetime!
How Much Does It Cost to Frame a Diploma?
How much to frame a diploma depends on the frame type, the materials used in crafting the frame, and the customizations you may want. Customizable diploma frame features may include wood moulding finishes, mat colors, embossed school seals, engraved plates, and glass types. You’ve likely heard that quality products take time. The fine craftsmanship put into each and every frame is also part of the diploma framing cost.
Church Hill Classics carries affordable frames at a range of price points. Handcrafted, officially licensed diploma frames are made from premium materials. With multiple framing and moulding customizations available, the diploma framing cost is still flexible to meet many budgets. Remember, the differences between quality and cheap diploma frames are simply too glaring to compromise on.
Why Purchase a Custom Diploma Frame?
Not only is a custom diploma frame impressive to the eye, but it ensures your valuable document is well-displayed and protected for many years to come. At Church Hill Classics, we offer superior materials and stand behind every frame we make. You can trust custom frames to keep your achievements safe and pristine.
1.) Frames Crafted in the USA by Hand
Custom framing is a rich, historic American tradition that we take very seriously. At Church Hill Classics, nothing is mass-produced in our Connecticut facility. Every frame is made according to your specifications.
Our in-house team of master framers and skilled artisans cut, measure, and join every moulding. They measure and hand-cut each piece of glass. They emboss official logos and school names in gold or silver foil with expert precision. Next, technicians with decades of experience carefully assemble each frame by hand. Then our team cleans and thoroughly inspects every framing component, never sacrificing quality for speed.
We start building your frame as soon as your order comes in, carefully crafting it from start to finish, just the way you ordered it. It’s how we deliver the very best diploma frames to our customers and why we can guarantee 100% happiness with their purchase.
2.) Offers Superior Document Protection
The only way to protect a priceless document from acid, mold, and insect damage? Safeguard it in a protective frame offering museum-worthy matting, backing, and mounting materials. One that meets the stringent Library of Congress standards for document preservation.
You won’t find that level of diploma protection at your local craft store. Trendy, online companies claiming to be framing experts don’t offer that protection either. The cardboard backings found on standard frames are notorious for yellowing, fading, and promoting mildew on documents. Our precision-cut mats are acid-free, lignin-free, and have a pure white bevel that won’t discolor over time.
The long-term preservation and protection of your college degree is always top of mind for us at Church Hill Classics. It’s the reason we would never ask customers to send valuable diplomas in the mail! Why would you risk damaging or losing a piece of paper that’s worth thousands of dollars?
All frames feature easy-open backs that make inserting your diploma easy and foolproof! We even provide archival tape along with simple step-by-step instructions for assembling and hanging your custom diploma frame.
3.) Prevents Fading & Discoloration
What else won’t you find at your local hobby shop? Frame glass with proper glazing designed to protect your diploma from harmful ultraviolet light. “Glazing” refers to the coating on your frame glass and the level of sun protection it offers to your document.
The most popular type of glazing is clear standard glass. Glass offers 45% UV blocking, is relatively inexpensive, and will not scratch easily. Clear standard glass is ideal for frames that are displayed out of direct sunlight. In addition to standard glass, Church Hill Classics offers glass option upgrades for the ultimate protection of your document or diploma:
- Conservation UV Protection glazing blocks up to 99% of UV light
- UV Protection and Reflection Control block up to 99% of UV light and reduce glare and reflections on the glass
Light exposure can cause fading, decaying cellulose, and chemical alterations to paper and inks. Once light damage occurs, it can never be reversed. Keeping your diploma under our glass will protect it from moisture, heat, insects, and airborne pollutants.
The cost to frame a diploma is truly up to your needs. When you opt for additional protection like UV upgrades, you’re also investing in peace of mind. Your priceless document will be protected for decades to come.
4.) Officially Licensed by Academic Institutions
When you purchase a Church Hill Classics diploma frame bearing your school’s name, you’re buying a licensed product. Licensing means you can proudly display your college’s official seal, branded wordmarks, and athletic logos. Local frame shops typically don’t have permission to sell frames embossed with the official name and seal of an institution.
Plus, you can be assured that you’re choosing a superior graduation frame. All authorized merchandise is reviewed for quality workmanship. Licensed companies are carefully screened and evaluated for their customer service and responsiveness.
All products must be in compliance with each school’s specific brand identity standards. That’s why buying licensed merchandise ensures that any items bearing school marks are of the highest quality. They are products the university has specifically chosen to be identified with its brand.
Most importantly, purchasing an officially licensed degree frame helps support your college or university. Licensing fees that come from the purchase of licensed products generally help fund academic scholarships and athletic programs at the universities. So, buying officially licensed frames benefits the alma mater the customer loves rather than an unlicensed competitor.
5.) Solid Hardwood Frame Mouldings
Our premium diploma frame mouldings aren’t made with imitation wood. Nor do we construct low-end plastic frames, like those found at hobby shops. Ours are made of solid hardwood from reforested sources that are carefully monitored by government agencies. In fact, all of our frames are produced from renewable woods that are grown and harvested using environmentally responsible practices.
Church Hill Classics is dedicated to environmental conservation and promoting global forestation efforts. It’s why we only purchase moulding from vendors who are committed to responsible forestry and regular replanting. We even offer a selection of frame mouldings that are made with 100% recycled American wood. Church Hill Classics is dedicated to environmentally friendly practices and has a superior EcoVadis rating. We are compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rules and regulations.
6.) Superior Quality Surpasses Customer Expectations
We’re not just building frames here at Church Hill Classics, we’re crafting impactful customer experiences. During the height of graduation season we’re busy cutting glass, joining frame mouldings, embossing mats, and packing up orders. But we never lose sight of what an important time this is for our customers and their loved ones.
Our goal is to deliver more than our customers expect, something even better than they imagine. Huge smiles, tears of joy, and a surge of pride all wrapped up into one big “WOW!” moment. We aim to deliver awesomeness from our little town in New England to customers across the USA. We know our customers will be wowed by the finished product. In fact, we guarantee it!
Is an Expensive Diploma Frame Worth It?
When it comes down to it, college education isn’t expensive, it’s priceless. That’s why it’s worth it to protect the investment you’ve made in your future with a custom diploma frame.
Whether it’s hardwood mouldings, glass selection, or matting and backing materials, it’s important to only use the best. You can be sure your diploma will be preserved with the utmost care while it’s being displayed. With a Certified Picture Framer on staff, Church Hill Classics museum-grade materials are carefully selected. Our diploma framing procedures adhere to the guidelines of the Professional Picture Framers Association.
We pride ourselves on our high standards and our business ethics, and deliver only the very best diploma frames to our customers. You can trust our frame experts to help deliver your very own “WOW” moment. Shop for your official Church Hill Classics diploma frame today for a truly unique graduation gift!
