When people think about custom framing, they usually picture a photograph, a painting, or maybe a diploma hanging on the wall. But after years behind the design counter, I can tell you the answer to the question “What materials can be framed?” is much broader than most people expect.
At Dogwood Framing in Biloxi, customers bring in everything from family photographs to unusual keepsakes from around the world. One of the most rewarding parts of being a professional framer is helping people preserve items that carry real meaning—objects that deserve more than being stored away in a drawer or closet.
The truth is that custom framing isn’t just about decoration. It’s about preservation, storytelling, and protecting memories for future generations.
If you’ve ever wondered whether something you own can be framed, this guide will walk you through the many materials that can be professionally framed—and when expert framing matters most.
Paper Items: The Most Common Materials Framed
Paper items are the most frequently framed materials because they’re easy to display and often hold important personal or historical value.
Common paper items people frame include:
Photographs
Art prints
Posters
Diplomas and certificates
Historical documents
Maps
Sheet music
Letters
Newspaper clippings
However, even paper items can present challenges if they’re not handled properly.
Documents With Writing on Both Sides
One situation that surprises many people involves letters or documents that contain writing on both sides. These can’t simply be taped down or mounted like a typical print without hiding part of the content.
Professional framing allows us to design a solution that preserves the entire document—sometimes by using special mounting techniques or creative display methods that protect the paper while still allowing it to be appreciated.
Newspaper Clippings
Newspaper clippings are another item people frequently want to frame. The challenge is that newspaper paper contains acids that cause it to yellow and deteriorate over time.
Without proper materials, newspaper can become brittle and discolored fairly quickly. Conservation framing uses acid-free backing and protective glazing to help slow this process and preserve the piece as long as possible.
Artwork and Prints
Artwork is naturally one of the most common things people bring in for framing.
These may include:
Original paintings
Limited edition prints
Posters
Photography
Illustrations
While it’s easy to purchase a ready-made frame at a big box store, professional framing allows you to select materials that enhance the artwork while also protecting it. For example, conservation matting and UV-protective glazing help prevent fading caused by sunlight. These materials can dramatically extend the life of a piece that might otherwise deteriorate over time.
Textiles and Fabric
Many people are surprised to learn that fabric items can also be framed beautifully. Textiles often carry deep sentimental value, and framing allows them to be preserved and displayed rather than stored away.
Examples of textile items that can be framed include:
Embroidery and needlework
Handkerchiefs
Vintage lace
Military patches
Sports jerseys
Baby clothing
Textiles require careful mounting because fabric can stretch, sag, or deteriorate if attached incorrectly. Professional framers use specialized techniques that support the material without damaging it.
Three-Dimensional Objects and Shadowboxes
One of the most exciting areas of custom framing involves three-dimensional objects.
These items require a deeper frame, commonly known as a shadowbox, which allows objects to be mounted safely inside the frame while still being fully visible.
Objects commonly framed in shadowboxes include:Medals
Coins
Jewelry
Small collectibles
Travel souvenirs
Baby keepsakes
For many customers, this is the moment when they realize that framing isn’t limited to flat artwork.
A Surprising Example: Framing a Bottle
One memorable project involved framing a bottle of Jägermeister. With a properly designed shadowbox and secure mounting, even an object like a bottle can become a unique display piece.
Projects like this show how creative custom framing can be.
Unique Materials From Around the World
Another interesting project involved a carving on camel skin from Saudi Arabia. The material was delicate and unlike anything most people encounter regularly.
Because of that, careful planning was required to ensure the material was supported properly and protected from environmental damage. Custom framing made it possible to display the piece safely while highlighting its cultural significance.
Memorabilia and Personal Keepsakes
Many framing projects revolve around items that may not have high monetary value but hold tremendous personal meaning. These items often tell a story.
Common memorabilia that can be framed includes:
Ticket stubs from concerts or sporting events
Graduation tassels
Military medals
Wedding invitations
Travel souvenirs
Autographed items
When these pieces are combined thoughtfully in a shadowbox, they can become a visual timeline of an important event or memory.
When the Story Matters Most
Sometimes the most meaningful framing projects aren’t about unusual materials at all—they’re about capturing a moment in someone’s life.
One customer brought in a photograph from their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Sadly, the mother had recently passed away. During our conversation, I asked if they had any earlier photos of both parents together. After checking with family members, the daughter found a photograph from the original wedding day, taken decades earlier. What made the moment extraordinary was that the couple was standing at their wedding cake in the wedding photo—almost exactly the same way they were standing in the anniversary picture fifty years later.
By framing both images together, we were able to create a powerful visual story showing the beginning of their marriage alongside its 50-year celebration. The daughter loved the finished piece so much that she ordered additional framed copies for each of her siblings. What started as a simple framing job became a family keepsake that will likely be treasured for generations.
This is a perfect example of how a little conversation at the design counter can turn a simple frame into something deeply meaningful.
When You Should Avoid DIY Framing
Ready-made frames absolutely have their place. They’re great for decorative pieces where long-term preservation isn’t a concern.
However, there’s one rule I often share with customers:
If an item has sentimental or monetary value, it deserves professional framing.
Improper framing methods can cause damage over time. Common problems include:
Acid damage from low-quality materials
Tape stains or adhesive damage
Fading from UV exposure
Warping from improper mounting
Professional framers are trained to use materials and techniques that help prevent these issues and extend the life of the item being framed. Organizations like the Professional Picture Framers Association provide training and certification standards that emphasize conservation and proper handling of artwork and memorabilia.
A Tip Most People Don’t Know About Rolled Prints
One issue we see regularly involves prints that arrive rolled in mailing tubes.
While tubes are convenient for shipping artwork, leaving a print rolled for too long can create a strong curl in the paper. This curl can make framing more difficult and sometimes even damage the print. The best thing to do is bring it to a frame shop so they can remove the print from the tube as soon as possible.
At Dogwood Framing, we place prints into protective sleeves where they can begin slowly relaxing and uncurling safely before framing. This simple step helps preserve the artwork and makes the framing process much easier.
The Real Answer: Almost Anything Can Be Framed
After years of framing projects of all types, the answer to the question “What materials can be framed?” is surprisingly simple: Almost anything. With the right materials, mounting techniques, and design approach, custom framing can preserve and display:
artwork
documents
textiles
photographs
memorabilia
collectibles
unusual objects
The key is working with someone who understands how to protect the item while presenting it beautifully.
Bring It In and Let’s Talk
If you have something meaningful that you’re thinking about framing, the best first step is simple: bring it in and talk with a professional framer. Often the conversation itself leads to creative ideas and solutions that you might not have considered.
At Dogwood Framing in Biloxi, helping people turn meaningful items into lasting displays is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Because sometimes the most important thing we frame isn’t the object itself - It’s the story behind it.
Looking for a framer in Biloxi? Give us a call
If you have anything you’d like professionally framed, Dogwood Framing in Biloxi can help you design a custom solution that protects and showcases your piece.
Work one-on-one with a Certified Picture Framer