How to Display Medals with Photos and Certificates

How to Display Medals with Photos and Certificates

Displaying medals with photos and certificates

Medals are more than just awards. They often represent hard work, service, achievement, memories and personal milestones. Whether it is a military medal, sports medal, running medal, school medal, service award or charity event medal, displaying it properly helps turn that achievement into something lasting.

One of the best ways to display medals is to frame them alongside photos and certificates. This creates a complete story rather than showing the medal on its own.

A medal display with photos and certificates can include:

• The medal and ribbon
• A photograph from the event
• A certificate or award
• A race number
• A name plaque
• A date and location
• A team photo
• A service photograph
• A short message or dedication

The right frame can protect everything, keep the display organised and create a finished piece that is ready to hang.

Why frame medals with photos and certificates?

A medal is meaningful on its own, but adding a photograph or certificate gives it more context. It helps show who earned the medal, what it was for and why it matters.

For example, a marathon medal can be displayed with a finish-line photo, race number and completion certificate. A military medal can be framed with a service photograph, regiment details and supporting documents. A sports medal can be shown with a team photo, tournament certificate or shirt badge.

Framing medals with photos and certificates is ideal for:

• Military service medals
• Running and marathon medals
• Football medals
• Boxing medals
• Dance medals
• Gymnastics medals
• Swimming medals
• School achievement medals
• Charity event medals
• Long service awards
• Retirement gifts
• Family keepsakes

Best frame for displaying medals with photos

Medals are thicker and heavier than photographs, so they usually need a deeper frame. A standard photo frame is often too shallow, especially if the medal needs to sit alongside other items.

The best option is usually a deep box frame or a made-to-measure medal display frame. These frames provide enough depth for the medal while still allowing photos, certificates and other flat items to sit neatly in the same display.

A deep frame helps:

• Stop medals pressing against the glass
• Give ribbons space to sit naturally
• Allow room for layered items
• Keep the display secure
• Create a professional finished look
• Protect the medal, photo and certificate together

If you are displaying several medals or larger certificates, a custom-made frame is usually the best choice because the layout can be designed around your items.

Planning your medal display layout

Before choosing a frame, it helps to decide what you want to include. Lay the medals, photos and certificates out on a table and try a few different arrangements.

Think about:

• Which item should be the main focus
• Whether the medal or photo is most important
• How much space the certificate needs
• Whether the display should be portrait or landscape
• Whether you want text, dates or name details included
• Where the frame will hang

A good layout should feel balanced. The medal should be easy to see, the photo should not feel squeezed in, and the certificate should be readable if it is important to the display.

Popular medal display layouts

There are several ways to arrange medals with photos and certificates. The best layout depends on the number of items and the story you want to tell.

Medal above photo and certificate

This is a simple and popular layout. The medal sits at the top of the frame, with the photo and certificate below.

This works well for:

• Sports medals
• School awards
• Running medals
• Charity event medals
• Single achievement displays

It gives the medal pride of place while still allowing the certificate and photo to support the story.

Photo in the centre with medals around it

This layout places the photo at the centre, with medals displayed around the outside.

It works well for:

• Team sports medals
• Children’s achievement medals
• Dance or gymnastics medals
• Running event collections
• Family keepsakes

This approach makes the person or event the focus of the display.

Certificate as the background feature

If the certificate is visually important, it can be used as the main background item, with the medal mounted beside or below it.

This is ideal for:

• Graduation medals
• Service awards
• Long service certificates
• Military documents
• Professional achievements

This layout works best when the certificate is clean, readable and not too crowded.

Side-by-side medal and photo display

A side-by-side layout is clean and easy to view. The medal can sit on one side, with the photograph or certificate on the other.

This works well for:

• Single medals
• Formal presentation pieces
• Military medals
• Retirement gifts
• Awards with one key photo

It creates a smart, balanced display without feeling too busy.

Multiple medals with one certificate

If you have several medals from the same sport, event or period of service, they can be arranged together with one certificate or photograph.

This works well for:

• Marathon collections
• Military medal groups
• Sports seasons
• School achievements
• Club awards

Spacing is important with this layout. Each medal needs enough room so the frame does not look overcrowded.

Portrait or landscape medal displays

The shape of the frame depends on the items being displayed.

A portrait frame is usually best for a medal with a tall ribbon, a certificate underneath, or a vertical photo.

A landscape frame works well for team photos, wide certificates, multiple medals or displays with several items arranged side by side.

Before deciding, check the shape of your certificate and photograph. These often determine the best frame orientation.

Choosing the frame colour

The frame should suit both the items and the room where the display will hang.

Black medal display frames

Black frames are smart, versatile and formal. They work well for military medals, service awards, sports medals, running medals and certificate displays.

A black frame can make metallic medals stand out clearly, especially when paired with a neutral backing.

Wood medal display frames

Wood frames feel warmer and more traditional. They are a good choice for family keepsakes, military displays, retirement gifts and displays that will hang in a living room or study.

White medal display frames

White frames create a lighter, softer look. They work well for children’s medals, dance medals, school awards and colourful achievement displays.

Gold or silver medal display frames

Gold and silver frames can work well for formal awards, but they should be chosen carefully. If the frame is too decorative, it may compete with the medal or certificate.

Adding names, dates and personal details

A medal display becomes more meaningful when it includes key details. These can be printed, mounted or added as a small plaque.

Useful details include:

• Name of the person
• Event name
• Date of achievement
• Location
• Team or club name
• Rank or service details
• Finish time
• Personal message
• Short dedication

For example, a running medal display might include the event name, date and finish time. A military medal display might include the person’s name, rank, regiment and years of service.

Keep the wording short and clear so it adds meaning without making the frame look cluttered.

Displaying running medals with photos and certificates

Running medals are especially popular for framed displays because they often come with supporting items such as race numbers, event photos and completion certificates.

A running medal display could include:

• Medal and ribbon
• Race number
• Finish-line photo
• Completion certificate
• Event date
• Finish time
• Charity name
• Route map

This is a great way to remember a 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, triathlon or charity run.

If you have completed several events, you could create one large frame with multiple medals, or separate frames for your most important races.

Displaying military medals with photos and certificates

Military medals should be displayed carefully and respectfully. They may have historical, family or sentimental importance, so it is worth choosing a layout that feels formal and balanced.

A military medal display could include:

• Medal group
• Service photograph
• Regiment badge
• Name and rank
• Service dates
• Certificate or document
• Printed dedication
• Family details

Black, navy or dark wood frames are popular for military medal displays because they create a smart, respectful finish.

Avoid using tape, glue or anything that could damage ribbons, documents or photographs, especially if the items are old or irreplaceable.

Displaying sports medals with team photos

Sports medal frames can be more colourful and personal. They work well for children’s achievements, club awards, football tournaments, boxing medals, dance competitions, gymnastics and swimming medals.

A sports medal display could include:

• Medal and ribbon
• Team photo
• Individual action photo
• Certificate
• Club badge
• Shirt badge
• Tournament name
• Season or year

Using club or team colours in the backing or mount can make the frame feel more personal.

How to protect medals, photos and certificates

When framing medals with photos and certificates, protection is just as important as appearance.

To protect your items:

• Use a frame with enough depth
• Avoid pressing medals against the glass
• Avoid taping or gluing ribbons
• Keep original certificates flat
• Use copies of documents if originals are fragile
• Keep the frame away from damp areas
• Avoid direct sunlight where possible
• Make sure heavier items are securely mounted

If the certificate or photograph is irreplaceable, consider whether you want to frame the original or use a high-quality copy. This can be a good option for very old documents or family history items.

Should you frame the original certificate?

In many cases, framing the original certificate is fine. However, if the certificate is very old, rare, fragile or valuable, it may be better to frame a copy and store the original safely.

You may want to use a copy if:

• The certificate is historic
• The paper is brittle or damaged
• The item has family history value
• The original is difficult to replace
• You want to avoid fading from light exposure

For modern sports, school or event certificates, framing the original is usually a popular choice.

Medal display frames as gifts

A framed medal with a photo and certificate makes a thoughtful and personal gift. It shows that the achievement deserves to be remembered and displayed.

Medal display frames are popular gifts for:

• Father’s Day
• Mother’s Day
• Birthdays
• Christmas
• Retirement
• Remembrance gifts
• Marathon completion gifts
• Sports presentation nights
• Graduation celebrations
• Military family keepsakes

Because the frame includes personal items, every display is unique.

Common mistakes when displaying medals with photos and certificates

One common mistake is trying to fit too many items into one frame. A medal display needs space so each part can be seen clearly.

Another mistake is using a frame that is too shallow. Medals need depth, especially if they are being displayed with ribbons, photos and certificates.

Other mistakes include:

• Choosing a backing colour that clashes with the ribbon
• Folding certificates awkwardly
• Covering important details with the mount
• Using tape or glue on ribbons
• Not leaving enough space around the medal
• Choosing a frame before planning the layout
• Using a frame that is too small for the certificate
• Hanging the finished frame in direct sunlight

A good medal display should look organised, balanced and secure.

How to display medals with photos and certificates: final advice

The best way to display medals with photos and certificates is to use a deep box frame or made-to-measure medal display frame. This gives the medal enough space while allowing the photo and certificate to sit neatly alongside it.

As a simple guide:

• Choose a deep frame so the medal is not squashed
• Plan the layout before choosing the frame size
• Use a neutral backing for a clean finish
• Add a photo to show the person or event
• Add a certificate to explain the achievement
• Include names, dates or details if useful
• Avoid tape, glue or anything that could damage the ribbon
• Use a made-to-measure frame for multiple items or unusual layouts

A well-designed medal frame protects the items, tells the full story and creates a lasting keepsake.

Need help displaying medals with photos and certificates?

If you want to frame medals with photos, certificates, race numbers, service documents or personal keepsakes, Boldon Framing can help you choose the right layout, frame depth, backing colour and finish.

Whether you need a military medal display, sports medal frame, running medal frame or a bespoke keepsake display, we can help create a frame that is secure, personal and ready to hang.