Earning your diploma should be something special, considering all the years and late nights and stress that goes into writing that last paper. And when it finally comes around, it's a wonderful feeling to hold the diploma in your hand and see your work framed in front of you. Unless of course you choose to get that beautiful piece of work into a frame that makes it look like an afterthought. 

But don't worry, we know how convenient it can be to shop online and mistakes happen - so here are some things you should try to avoid when buying your diploma frame online.

Mistake 1: Ordering Without Measuring Your Diploma First

One of the most common errors people make when buying a diploma frame is not measuring your diploma first. The size rules don't follow a universal standard and differ depending on the school. Some colleges and universities create custom sizes of their diplomas that you cannot find in stores. 

What you should do is measure the actual document when you haven't received it yet. Write down its width and height. You will use this information to order the perfect diploma frame for your needs. When shopping online you can choose from a variety of frames to match your diploma size so that you don't have to deal with borders, cropping or a rattling frame due to it being half inch smaller or bigger than your expectations. 

You can also just email them to have them send back the diploma you ordered so that you don't have to deal with the hassle of waiting for a new frame to arrive.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the Mat

The mistake many people make, in their rush to get everything together and hang up their picture, is they don't bother with the "optional" mat, mistakenly believing it to be exactly that. Yet a mat is an important part of having a framed diploma looking its best in offices or on walls. Without a mat, it looks compressed around the edges, with text and the border crowding the edge of the frame.

Also, while mats are usually used purely for aesthetics, a good thing about them in the case of a diploma is that they create some physical distance between your diploma and the glass, which prevents moisture from building up over time and ruining the paper. For something you are planning to keep and display for years, that matters.

When browsing diploma frames online, look for options that include a mat, or that let you choose one. Art to Frames' photo mats give you color and width options so the mat actually complements the diploma rather than just filling space around it.

Mistake 3: Choosing Style Without Considering Placement

A diploma frame is not a complete thing by itself. Imagine a vacuum on a wall -- it makes no sense, right?

For instance, a heavy ornate gold frame will look out of place in a modern minimalist bedroom but lovely in a traditionally decorated office or study.

Before deciding on a finish, take a moment to think about the room where your new diploma will hang. 

 What are the existing tones? What does the furniture look like? Is the space formal or relaxed? 

Diploma frames online come in a wide range of profiles and finishes, and taking an extra five minutes to think about context before you order is the difference between a frame that looks intentional and one that just looks like you needed somewhere to put it.

Art to Frames' picture frames collection covers everything from classic wood finishes to contemporary metal profiles, so finding something that actually suits your space is very doable.

Frame That Milestone the Right Way

You earned it. The frame you put it in should reflect that.

Visit Art to Frames to find diploma frames online in sizes and finishes built to last, and reach out to us if you need help matching dimensions or choosing a style.

One good frame. That is all it takes.