Custom Shadowbox & 3D Object Framing
Bring your most meaningful three-dimensional memories out of the closet and onto the wall. From Chicago Marathon medals and military honors to wedding heirlooms and instruments, we engineer bespoke museum shadowboxes across 11 Chicagoland studios.
What We Preserve in Custom Shadowboxes
Online mail-in framing companies can only handle flat paper prints. Our local master framers specialize in complex, multi-layered 3D object engineering using archival linen, suede, and custom structural mounts.
Marathon Medals & Race Bibs
Celebrate crossing the finish line of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon or World Marathon Majors. We combine your official race bib, heavy finisher medal, course map, and race-day photos into a unified gallery piece.
Military Medals, Ribbons & Flags
Honor service and sacrifice with hand-stitched mounts for Purple Hearts, service ribbons, challenge coins, dog tags, discharge papers, and triangular folded American burial flags in solid walnut, cherry, or mahogany.
Wedding, Baby & Family Heirlooms
Preserve pressed wedding flowers, ketubahs, invitations, champagne corks, baby shoes, christening gowns, antique pocket watches, and handwritten family letters on luxurious hand-wrapped linen or suede boards.
Music & Concert Memorabilia
Frame signed acoustic or electric guitars, drumsticks, vinyl LP records, backstage VIP passes, setlists, and limited-edition screenprint posters from iconic Chicago venues like The Salt Shed, Metro, and Wrigley Field.
Golf, Hockey & Sports Equipment
Hole-in-one golf balls and scorecards, signed hockey pucks and sticks, championship baseballs, boxing gloves, and karate belts mounted securely with custom acrylic cradles.
Artifact & Textile Conservation
Travels from abroad—ancient coins, arrowheads, kimono textiles, tapestries, and sculptural ceramics—floated inside deep wood profiles or 5-sided Optium Museum Acrylic® vitrine boxes.
Shadowbox Framing FAQs
Answers to common questions about 3D object mounting, depth, and conservation glass.
What kind of 3D objects can you put in a custom shadowbox frame?
Virtually any three-dimensional keepsake! We regularly build custom deep-rabbet shadowboxes for Chicago Marathon medals and race bibs, military medals and folded burial flags, wedding invitations and preserved bouquets, baby shoes and christening gowns, signed guitars and vinyl records, vintage cameras, golf balls/clubs, and family heirlooms.
How do you attach heavy 3D objects without glue or damage?
Our master framers use museum-approved, non-invasive conservation mounting techniques—including hand-stitched linen or monofilament ties, custom-formed acrylic cradles, hidden Mylar straps, and recessed mat cavities. Nothing is permanently glued unless it is an expendable replica, ensuring your heirlooms remain unharmed.
Can you frame my Chicago Marathon medal, bib, and race photo together?
Yes! Every fall after the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, runners visit our 11 Chicagoland studios to frame their finisher medal, official race bib, course map, and finish-line photo in a custom multi-opening shadowbox with 99% UV protection.
How deep can a custom shadowbox frame be?
Standard shadowbox mouldings range from 1.25 inches to 4+ inches in depth. For even deeper objects—such as football helmets, sculptures, or musical instruments—we can stack architectural mouldings or fabricate custom museum acrylic vitrine display boxes.
How much does custom shadowbox framing cost?
Custom shadowbox framing typically starts around $220 for compact medal or keepsake displays and ranges from $350 to $850+ for larger multi-object arrangements with fabric-wrapped mats and Tru Vue® Museum Glass. Visit any of our 11 shops for a free in-person design consultation and exact quote.
Get a Free Shadowbox Framing Quote
Describe the items you'd like to display together and approximate dimensions. Our framing specialists will reply with design ideas and pricing.