How to Frame Football Shirts: A Complete Guide for Fans & Collectors
Framing a football shirt isn’t just about presentation it’s about preserving memories, honouring sporting greatness, and protecting value. Whether it’s a shirt signed by a club legend or a cherished top from a once-in-a-lifetime match, the right framing transforms it into a centrepiece worthy of any wall.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about framing signed football shirts: from choosing the right materials to mounting techniques, display tips, and how to protect your memorabilia for years to come.
Why Frame a Football Shirt?
Football shirts are more than just clothing — they’re emotional keepsakes. Framing helps:
- Protect Against Damage: Exposure to light, dust, and moisture can fade colours and signatures.
- Maintain Signature Integrity: Proper materials and mounting techniques prevent ink degradation.
- Elevate Presentation: A well-framed shirt turns a drawer-stuffed item into a conversation-starting display.
- Preserve Investment Value: Signed or rare shirts can retain or increase value if cared for properly.
Whether it's a signed Arsenal shirt, a match-worn England top, or a nostalgic Spurs autographed jersey from your childhood, framing gives it the respect it deserves.
What You’ll Need
To frame a football shirt properly, you’ll need a few essentials:
- Shirt Frame with Perspex Front – Lightweight and safer than glass, ideal for transport
- Acid-Free Shirt Mount Board – Supports the shirt and prevents yellowing or damage
- Archival Tape or Mounting Strips – Used to secure the shirt to the mount and the mount to the frame
- Flathead Screwdriver or Tab-Lifter Tool – To lift and bend metal tabs on the back of the frame
- Cotton Gloves (Optional) – Prevent smudging the perspex or shirt
- Compressed Air Canister (Optional) – To blow out dust and fibres before sealing the frame
- Plastic Wallet or Document Pouch (Optional) – To attach your certificate of authenticity to the back of the frame
- Optional Name Plaque and Action Photo (Optional) – If your frame supports them, these enhance presentation
You can source these individually, or use an all-in-one DIY shirt framing kit.
DIY Framing vs Professional Framing: Which Is Right for You?
Both DIY shirt framing kits and full service professional framing have their place, depending on your needs, budget, and the shirt’s value.
DIY Shirt Framing
DIY framing is the cheapest and fastest option. Shirt framing kits are shipped immediately, with no labour costs or production delays making it ideal for quick gifts or personal projects if you have the time and patience to assemble.
Best for:
- Lower-value or unsigned shirts
- Custom layouts with personal photos or unique memorabilia
- Tight budgets or urgent deadlines
Pros:
- Fastest turnaround (ships immediately)
- Lowest cost
- Total creative control
- Great for completely bespoke designs
Considerations:
- Requires hands-on setup
- Care needed to avoid dust or misalignment
Professional Shirt Framing
Professional shirt framing is ideal for those who want a flawless finish without the stress. At X Memorabilia, we handle everything for you using expert techniques and premium materials.
Best for:
- Signed memorabilia or rare shirts
- Gift purchases or collector investments
- Those who want a hassle-free, ready-to-hang option
Pros:
- No hassle - we do all the work
- Expertly framed using archival materials, exact folds, and tools for perfect alignment
- Quick turnaround - most orders dispatched in 1–2 working days
- Adds instant credibility and value to your item, ideal for resale or display
Considerations:
- Slightly higher cost
- Less flexible for highly custom layouts
At X Memorabilia, we offer both options so you can decide what suits your item and budget best. Whether you’re a collector, fan, or gift buyer - we’ve got you covered.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Frame a Football Shirt (DIY Method)
Follow these steps to get a clean, secure result using your own shirt frame.
1. Open the Frame
- Lay the frame face-down on a clean surface.
- Use a tab-lifter tool or flathead screwdriver to bend the metal tabs upward.
- Remove the framing backboard panel and the shirt mount board inside.
2. Position the Shirt on the Mount
- Place the shirt face-up on the mount.
- Adjust the fold to suit how you want it displayed - full front, badge only, or back with name/number.
- Once you're happy, use archival tape on the back or tucked-in areas to secure the shirt to the mount.
3. Add Plaques or Action Photos (Optional)
- If your frame has space for extras, you can include an action photos, plaque nameplate, or printed stats panel.
- Secure these using acid-free tape to prevent damage over time.
- Position them neatly beneath or beside the shirt depending on the layout.
- Always check alignment through the front before sealing to ensure everything looks clean and balanced.
4. Check Alignment
- Flip the mount and place it back into the frame (without sealing).
- Check the positioning through the perspex.
- If needed, remove and adjust the shirt or extras.
5. Secure the Mount Inside the Frame
- When happy with positioning, tape the shirt mount to the inner edges of the frame.
- This prevents any shifting before closing the frame.
6. Final Clean Before Sealing
- Use a compressed air canister to gently blow away any dust or fibres from the inside of the perspex and the shirt.
- This helps avoid any particles getting trapped during sealing.
7. Close the Frame
- Insert the backing board.
- Carefully bend the metal tabs back down using your tool to hold everything in place.
8. Add Certificate or Provenance to the Frame
- Place your Certificate of Authenticity or provenance document into a clear plastic wallet or document pouch.
- Secure this to the outside back of the frame using archival-safe tape or adhesive strips.
- This keeps documentation safe and accessible without opening the frame.
9. Final Check
- Wipe the front of the perspex gently to remove any fingerprints.
- Hang the frame securely on a wall away from direct sunlight and damp conditions.
Display Tips: Where and How to Show Off Your Framed Shirt
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prevents fading over time.
- Hang at Eye Level: Ideal in home offices, hallways, or themed display rooms.
- Group with Other Items: Match with photos, match tickets, or other memorabilia.
- Use Spacers (if needed): To prevent fabric from pressing against the perspex.
Where to Buy Framed Football Shirts
Don’t want to frame it yourself? X Memorabilia offers a premium range of professionally framed signed football shirts, ready to hang and complete with verified authenticity.
Each framed shirt includes:
- A genuine hand-signed shirt
- Certificate of Authenticity via CertAuthentic.com
- Professionally mounted with acid-free materials and a perspex front
- Secure packaging and fast dispatch within 1–2 working days
Explore the full collection: https://xmemorabilia.com/signed-shirts/framed/
Final Thoughts
Framing a football shirt isn’t just a display choice - it’s about celebrating history, passion, and pride. Whether you choose a DIY approach or go pro, what matters most is protecting the shirt properly.
Our range of DIY shirt framing kits make the process simple, affordable, and fast. And for those wanting a flawless finish, our professionally framed memorabilia offers peace of mind, credibility, and top-tier presentation.
FAQs
Want to frame your own shirt? Look out for our DIY shirt framing kits or shop our professionally framed signed shirts at X Memorabilia.