How to Frame Medals
How medals are framed properly: reversible mounting with no piercing or adhesive, correct military ordering, UV glazing to protect ribbons, parade access.
Framing medals means building a deep display case in which every medal is held securely, in the correct order, without a single hole drilled or drop of glue touching the pieces. Done properly, the mounting is fully reversible: the medals can come back out years later, unmarked, ready to be worn on parade or passed on.
This guide walks through the process as we run it in our workshop, from a single campaign medal to a full court-mounted group.
Every display starts with an assessment
Before anything is built, the medals are assessed: their condition, their weight, whether ribbons are original or replacements, and how you want them presented. Loose medals, court-mounted bars, miniatures, ribbon bars and clasps all mount differently, and the layout is agreed with you before construction begins.
How medals are mounted without damage
We use several techniques depending on the medal. Entomology pins hold medals by their suspension rings or clasps without piercing the medal itself. Heavier pieces sit on cushion mounts, shaped fabric-covered supports that spread the weight evenly. Ribbon bars are dressed and pinned flat against acid-free backing board, keeping the silk taut without adhesive, and loose medals get individual pockets cut from conservation-grade card so each piece sits in its own recess. Every method is reversible, so the medals can be removed and returned without marks or residue.
Military groups: getting the order right
Correct ordering matters when framing military medals. Court-mounted groups follow the precedence set by the Ministry of Defence, with campaign medals ordered by date and long-service awards placed after operational decorations. We research the correct sequence for each group and arrange it accordingly, whether the set is court-mounted on a single bar or swing-mounted individually. Miniatures, ribbon bars and clasps are incorporated in their proper positions, so the display presents the group exactly as it would be worn.
Marathon and sports medals
Sports and achievement medals tend to be larger and heavier than military decorations, so the approach adjusts: deeper frames, stronger fixings, and layouts that give ribbons and lanyards room to hang without folding or bunching. Multiple marathon medals can be arranged in chronological order, competition awards grouped by discipline, or academic medals combined with certificates in one display. The same thinking behind our guide to framing a football shirt applies here: the object leads, the frame follows.
Adding photographs, badges and documents
Many medal displays tell a broader story with photographs, certificates, cap badges, shoulder titles or regiment patches alongside the medals. Photos and documents are mounted on acid-free board behind conservation-grade mounts, and three-dimensional items like cap badges sit on individual risers within the frame. Service records, letters and newspaper clippings are incorporated without trimming or adhesive, so the originals stay intact.
The frame, the glazing and parade days
Medal displays need depth, so the pieces sit proud of the backing. Our box frames are built to any depth, in any timber, painted or metal finish. Ribbons are particularly vulnerable to light: silk and grosgrain fade quickly under UV exposure, so UV-protective glazing is fitted as standard on every medal frame, and all backing boards, mounts and spacers are acid-free to prevent tarnish migration. If the medals need to come out for cleaning, polishing or wearing on parade, we build the display with a removable panel or hinged front so access is straightforward. You can see finished examples in our box frame examples collection.
What it costs
Bespoke box frames cost around £350, and a straightforward single-medal or small-group display sits in that territory. Larger court-mounted groups, multi-element displays with photographs and documents, and cases with hinged access are quoted individually, in detail and without obligation. When you are ready, our medal framing service page covers the full process, built in our workshop as it has been since 1974, with a 5 year guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Entomology pins hold medals by their suspension rings or clasps without piercing the medal, heavier pieces sit on fabric-covered cushion mounts, and loose medals get individual pockets cut from conservation-grade card. Nothing is drilled or glued, so every medal can be removed later without marks or residue.
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Military groups follow the precedence set by the Ministry of Defence: campaign medals ordered by date, with long-service awards placed after operational decorations. We research the correct sequence for each group before mounting, whether court-mounted on a single bar or swing-mounted individually.
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Yes. If medals need to come out periodically for cleaning, polishing or wearing, the display is built with a removable panel or hinged front so access is straightforward, and the reversible mounting means removal leaves no marks.
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Medal ribbons are particularly vulnerable to light damage. Silk and grosgrain fade quickly under direct or indirect UV exposure, so UV-protective glazing is fitted as standard on every medal frame, alongside acid-free backing boards, mounts and spacers.
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Yes. Photographs and documents are mounted on acid-free board behind conservation-grade mounts, and three-dimensional items like cap badges sit on individual risers in the same case. Originals are never trimmed or glued.
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Bespoke box frames cost around £350, which covers a straightforward single-medal or small-group display. Larger court-mounted groups and multi-element displays with photographs and documents are quoted individually, without obligation.
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Tell us about your artwork and we will provide a free, no-obligation quote. Most projects are completed within 2-4 weeks.
5 Year Guarantee · Framing Since 1974 · Free Consultation
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