How to Make Military Shadow Boxes
If you want to make a special gift for your military woman or man, then consider making them a shadow box. Shadow boxes allow you to hang your box full of memories and mementos on the wall instead of keeping them hidden away in a box. Making one for a military member will require knowing exactly what all the medals, badges and insignias mean. Certain medals hold a higher honor than others do, so you want to make sure that you display these higher in the shadow box.
Things You'll Need
- Shadow box
- Medals
- Badges
- Patches
- Ribbons
- Photographs
- Matte
- Acid-free mounting tape
- Acid-free double-sided tape
- Acid-free foam
- Acid-free labels
Instructions
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Choose an appropriately sized shadow box. If you have many items, you need to consider ensuring you will have enough space to display them. Craft stores sell museum-quality shadow boxes that guarantee prevention of deterioration.
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Collect the materials you wish to display. These items can include medals, badges, patches, ribbons and photographs. Make sure the items are clear of dirt and debris. This will ensure the items are pristine when placed in the shadow box.
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3
Lay all of the items out and determine an order. You do not want to start mounting items and realize you put them out of order. Place the items in the order you will want them mounted by placing them on the shadow box to determine if you have enough room to mount everything.
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Sit the matte on the glass frame if your frame came with one. Remove the back panel of the shadow box. Secure the matte with acid-free mounting tape to hold the matte between the glass and the frame.
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Affix your military items to the back panel. The items need to be attached on the side of the back panel that will face toward the glass. Hang your larger items, such as gloves and folded flags, on the back panel. Make sure you secure the items so they do not fall forward. Use double-sided acid free tape.
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Add the medium-sized items to create a dimensional effect. Use acid-free foam to make the items appear dimensional but do not cover the items you placed in the first mount. You can display medals and photographs during this mounting process. Place labels, using acid free paper and ink, under the medals to distinguish name ranks, the year of service and campaigns under each medal.
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Mount the smallest items last. These items typically require more time due to their delicacy. These may include badges and insignias. Make sure you keep the awards in groups and in order because the military prides itself on these two important aspects. Step back and look at the shadow box from a distance to make sure everything meets your approval.
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Attach the back of the shadow box to the frame carefully. Hang your shadow box on the wall to display the military achievements.
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Tips & Warnings
You will need to make sure everything you place in the shadow box is acid-free. Acid-free materials do not turn yellow or deteriorate due to oxidation.
