Jersey Framing 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Frame Your Prized Shirt

A jersey isn't just a piece of fabric. It's a memory — a match, a season, a career, a moment that meant something. And if it's signed, it's potentially an asset. Either way, it deserves to be framed properly.

We've been framing jerseys at Artmount & Framing Matters for years, and we've seen all manner of approaches — from the DIY shadow box held together with hope, to the properly framed piece that still looks immaculate decades later. Here's what makes the difference.

The Shadow Box: Why It Matters

Jerseys need depth. Unlike a flat print or photograph, a jersey has volume — and if you press it flat against glass, it looks deflated, loses its shape, and the glass will eventually damage the fabric. A shadow box frame solves all of this.

A shadow box is a deep frame that holds the glass away from the jersey using spacers. The jersey sits recessed behind the glass, with a deliberate gap that lets it breathe and keeps the glass from making contact with the fabric. It looks dramatically better, and it's the only archivally sound way to frame a jersey for the long term.

The Insert: The Secret to a Great-Looking Frame

One of the most important details in jersey framing — and one that separates a professional job from a DIY one — is the insert. We custom-make a rigid card insert individually sized to your jersey, which gives it body, structure, and a smooth, enhanced finish.

Without an insert, a jersey looks limp. With a properly fitted insert, it looks sharp, intentional, and genuinely impressive. It also means the jersey retains its shape over the years — an important consideration for anything you're planning to keep long-term.

Glass: Get This Right

Standard glass is the minimum — but for a signed or valuable jersey, we'd recommend UV-protective glass to prevent fading over time. Light, both natural and artificial, is the enemy of fabric dyes. UV glass filters out the radiation responsible for fading, keeping your jersey looking vibrant for decades rather than years.

For particularly valuable pieces — a signed All Blacks jersey, a match-worn shirt from a significant game — conservation glass is worth considering.

Archival Materials Throughout

We use acid-free mat boards and archival-quality backing materials throughout our jersey framing. No glues are used. Everything is done with conservation methods that won't damage the fabric or degrade over time.

This matters more than people realise. Cheap materials — acidic backings, non-archival adhesives — can cause discolouration and deterioration that isn't immediately obvious but becomes very obvious after ten years.

Adding Context: Photos, Plaques, and Captions

A jersey on its own tells part of the story. But a jersey alongside a match-day photo, a small plaque with the player's name and career details, or a caption describing the significance of the piece — that tells the whole story.

We can add photos, text captions, plaques, and even logos to any jersey framing job. It's a surcharge, but for the right piece, it transforms a frame into a genuine tribute.

What to Bring In

When you come in for a jersey framing consultation, bring the jersey (washed is fine — we'd actually prefer it). If you have photos you'd like to include, or any other memorabilia you want to incorporate, bring those too. We offer an obligation-free consultation and will give you a clear quote before anything is confirmed.

We'll measure the jersey on the day to ensure the sizing is accurate — jerseys vary more than you'd think, and precision matters for the final result.

How Long Does It Take?

⚠️  ESTHER / DIXIE TO CONFIRM: Please add the current typical turnaround time for jersey framing jobs here.

→ Ready to frame your jersey? Get in touch or come visit us at 82 Newton Road, Eden Terrace.

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