War Medal & Military Memorabilia Framing

Honour history and preserve military memorabilia with pride through custom war medal framing

There's something profoundly moving about holding a piece of history in your hands. Perhaps it's your grandfather's service medals from the Second World War, carefully tucked away in a velvet-lined box for decades. Maybe it's a collection of badges, photographs, and letters that tell the story of someone who served their country with distinction. These aren't just objects; they're tangible connections to courage, sacrifice, and moments that shaped our nation.

At Portfolio Picture Framers, we understand the weight of what you're entrusting to us. For over two decades, our framing specialists have been helping families across Perth transform their military memorabilia into displays that honour the past whilst protecting these irreplaceable items for future generations. Whether you're preserving your own service history or creating a tribute to a loved one, our military medal framing services ensure your memorabilia is treated with the respect and care it deserves.

Why military memorabilia framing matters more than you think

Military memorabilia framing isn't just about creating something that looks impressive on a wall, it's about preserving a legacy that can be shared for generations to come. It ensures that the stories of service, courage, and sacrifice remain alive, not lost to time.

Many families discover boxes of medals, photographs, and service documents tucked away in cupboards or attics, often decades after their original owners have passed. Left unprotected, these precious items are vulnerable to moisture, light damage, dust, and the natural wear of age. We've seen medals tarnished beyond recognition, photographs faded to pale memories, and fabrics that have become fragile and brittle.

Thoughtful war medal framing goes beyond preservation; it brings these pieces together to tell a story. When medals are displayed alongside service photographs, unit badges, or maps showing where someone served, they form a cohesive narrative of honour and history. It's more than a collection of items; it's a tribute to a life, a journey, and a moment in time that deserves to be remembered.

The materials that protect your legacy

When it comes to preserving war medal framing, the materials we use aren't negotiable. Quality frames require quality components, and these items need to last not just years, but generations. Every component must be carefully selected for longevity and protection; it's the foundation of any proper framing solution.

Acid-free materials throughout

Over time, materials that contain acid release compounds that can discolour, weaken, and damage anything they touch. For something as irreplaceable as military medals or wartime photographs, this simply isn't acceptable. Every backing board and mat board we use in our memorabilia framing is acid-free, creating a neutral environment that protects your memorabilia from the inside out.

Creating your custom design

One of the most enjoyable parts of working with families on military medal framing projects is the design consultation, where your vision starts to take shape.

The consultation process

When you visit our Perth showroom, bring everything you're considering for your frame. Don't worry about having it perfectly organised, that's what we're here for. During your consultation, we'll discuss the story you want to tell. Is this about a specific campaign? Does it span an entire military career? Understanding the narrative helps us suggest layouts that make visual sense.

We'll look at each item and discuss the best way to display it. Some pieces work better as focal points, whilst others serve as supporting elements. We'll consider proportions, visual balance, and how the eye naturally moves across a display, creating something that draws people in and tells a story that unfolds as they examine the details.

Over 500 frame and mat options

With more than 500 frame styles and mat board colours available, you can create custom frames that truly reflect the individual story being told. Traditional military displays often work beautifully with deep wood tones, rich mahoganies, classic oaks, or elegant walnuts. These frames have a gravitas that suits the weight of military history.

Mat colours deserve careful consideration as well. Many families gravitate towards deep greens, navy blues, or burgundies that echo military colours. Multiple mats can add depth and visual interest, particularly when working with items in different sizes and colours. For more contemporary homes, simpler profiles let the memorabilia itself take centre stage.

Layouts that tell your story

The arrangement of items within your frame is where memorabilia framing becomes truly personal. We've created everything from simple, elegant displays featuring a single medal bar and photograph to elaborate collections chronicling entire military careers.

Popular approaches include chronological arrangements showing progression through ranks or campaigns, geographical displays with maps indicating where someone served, and thematic collections focusing on specific units or battles. Many families include contextual information, service dates, unit details, or information about specific medals, transforming the display from a collection of objects into a genuine story.

Beyond the basics: Additional services

Over the years, we've learned that military memorabilia framing often leads to questions extending beyond simply mounting items in a frame.

Medal Mounting Guidance: Not all medals come mounted on bars. We can advise you on where to have your medals professionally mounted according to correct military protocols, ensuring they're displayed in the proper order.

Replica Medal Sourcing: When medals need to be shared among siblings or when someone wants to preserve originals while displaying copies, we can guide you towards reputable sources for officially licensed replica medals. This allows multiple family members to each have their own memorabilia frame.

Research Assistance: Sometimes families inherit medals without fully understanding what they represent. We're happy to point you towards resources for researching service history, and including this historical context in your frame adds tremendous value.

Photo and Document Copying: Before including fragile photographs or documents in your frame, we can scan and create high-quality copies, allowing you to keep originals in protective storage and share copies with other family members.

The Portfolio Picture Framers difference  

As a family-owned business specialising in military medal framing, Perth families trust, we've been part of this community for over 20 years. We're not a chain operation; we're your neighbours, and we understand the unique aspects of military history in Western Australia. We've framed memorabilia from both World Wars, from Korea and Vietnam, from peacekeeping operations and modern deployments.

When you bring your military memorabilia to us, you're working with framers who genuinely understand what these items represent. We've heard countless stories, seen families moved to tears when they see their finished frames, and been privileged to play a small role in preserving memories that matter.

Our commitment to quality extends to how we treat your items whilst they're in our care, how we communicate throughout the process, and how we stand behind our work. Every frame comes with our guarantee that we've treated your memorabilia as if it were our own family's history.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the war medal framing process take?

From your initial consultation to collecting your completed frame usually takes two to four weeks, depending on complexity. We'll give you a specific timeframe during your consultation. We never rush war medal framing; these items deserve the time necessary to get every detail right.

What if I'm not sure what I want to include?

That's completely normal. Bring everything you're considering, and we'll work through options together. There's no pressure to include everything, and seeing items laid out in different arrangements often helps clarify what feels right.

Can you frame items that aren't in perfect condition?

Absolutely. Tarnished medals, faded photographs, and worn fabric all have character and historical value. We can work with items in various conditions, though we'll discuss options if something is particularly fragile.

How do I care for my frame once it's home?

Keep frames out of direct sunlight where possible, dust the glass gently with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid high-humidity areas. Beyond that, your frame should remain in excellent condition for generations with minimal intervention.

Do you frame memorabilia from all branches of service?

Yes, we've worked extensively with memorabilia from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and various special units. We're familiar with the insignia, medals, and items specific to different branches.

Is military memorabilia framing only for historical items?

Not at all. We've created frames for veterans returning from recent deployments, for retirements after long careers, and for active service members. Your service deserves to be honoured regardless of when it occurred.

Preserve your family's military legacy with expert war medal framing

If you have military memorabilia tucked away in a drawer or box, now is the perfect time to bring those items into the light, where they can be properly honoured and preserved. Whether you're safeguarding your own service history or creating a tribute to a loved one, our military medal framing services are here to help you craft something truly meaningful.

Bring your items in for a free consultation, where we'll discuss your vision, examine your memorabilia, and provide a no-obligation quote for a custom frame that reflects your story, meets your needs, and fits your budget.

These stories matter. These items matter. Preserving them ensures that future generations can see, touch, and connect with the history they represent. Military memorabilia framing isn't just about protection; it's about creating a focal point for family conversations, a tangible link to the past, and a legacy that endures.

Ready to get started? Get in touch with our team today for your free consultation and quote. We'd be honoured to help preserve your family's military history with the care, respect, and craftsmanship it deserves.

Below is just a small selection of what we have created. For help to design and frame your war medals or other military memorabilia using only the best materials to protect your family’s history, contact us for a free, no obligation colour consultation and quote.