A customer walks into your shop and places a signed Kobe Bryant jersey on the counter. They’re trusting you to turn a once-in-a-lifetime collectible into a display worthy of its legend. This isn’t just a framing job; it’s preservation of history in your hands.
Projects like this require meticulous planning, and the right materials to protect every detail. The hard part isn’t the work itself; it’s figuring out how to price it.
Most shops charge between $250 and $500 for a framed jersey, but what happens when someone brings in a game-used hockey stick or vintage cleats? How do you quote the time, expertise, and attention that go into custom framing for sports memorabilia?
Here are five tips to price these projects fairly so your time and craftsmanship get the recognition they deserve.
Collectors spend based on emotion as much as cost. When someone brings in a vintage letterman jacket or a game-worn glove, they’re choosing who they trust to protect something meaningful. That mindset should shape how you quote the job.
When framing for sports memorabilia, price with value in mind:
Lean into what makes the piece special: Acknowledge the rarity and story behind it — “this is a once-in-a-lifetime collectible” — showing you understand its importance and will treat it accordingly.
Deliver quality that matches the expectation: Use high-end materials like museum glass, archival mats, and hardwood moulding, creating a finish that signals professional preservation rather than a basic display.
Build in the cost of specialized work: Include the labor and tools required for floating frames, hidden mounts, and other techniques that protect delicate pieces.
Value-based pricing represents the confidence collectors have in your shop — and the care you commit to — when preserving their most meaningful possessions.
Memorabilia projects can range from simple photo frames to complex, multi-item displays, and each one warrants its own pricing tier. Clear pricing levels help customers see their options and make it easier for you to quote with confidence and consistency.
Offer different rates to match the scope of the work:
Set a base tier for simple projects: Frame signed photographs or flat prints with UV glass, archival mats, and standard moulding for a clean, professional finish.
Add a midtier for moderate designs: Include jerseys, patches, or small accessories that need mounting, multiple mat layers, or deeper frames to hold shape.
Reserve a premium tier for complex displays: Combine items like a ball, glove, and photo in a single shadowbox with LED lighting and engraved plaque.
Tiered quotes keep discussions clear and give customers control over how much they want to invest in presentation and protection.
Framing for sports memorabilia means using the right materials and methods to protect the piece for decades — and they’re what separate professional work from a basic frame job. Factoring in these details helps you quote accurately and demonstrate the value behind every decision.
Take these steps to cover your materials and workmanship:
Establish a baseline for collectibles: Set a base rate for signed items that covers UV glazing to protect ink, prevent fading, and maintain color over time.
Account for hardware costs: Include mounting brackets, spacers, and deep moulding to safely show off larger pieces like helmets, cleats, or baseball bats.
Add in conservation expenses: Build in the cost of acid-free mats, archival foam board, and protective sealing used for vintage photos, tickets, or paper programs.
You also need to adjust for single versus multi-item layouts — like framing a puck on its own versus pairing it with a photo and scorecard. These details ensure your quote reflects the true craftsmanship and protection in every finished display.
Sports enthusiasts want an expert who can guide them through the right choices for their prized collectables. A good consultation builds that trust from the start, helping you understand the significance of their piece and showing the customer you know how to protect it.
During the meeting:
Ask what matters most to the client: Find out whether they plan to display it publicly, pass it down as a family heirloom, or keep it as part of a growing collection; each requires a different approach.
Recommend materials for the environment: Choose glazing, backing, and hardware based on where the piece will hang, and use digital previews to show how each choice will look without handling the original.
Explain the maintenance side of preservation: Share how to clean the glazing, control humidity, or handle resealing to keep the item in top condition.
Use the opportunity to suggest upgrades like humidity-control inserts or sealed frame backing that prevent long-term damage while reinforcing your role as the expert guiding each choice.
Framing sports memorabilia often involves layered designs, custom mounts, and high client expectations. Dependable frame shop point of sale (POS) systems keep those details organized so you can focus on design and delivery.
Let your POS support the workflow:
Present multi-item layouts clearly: Show 3D design previews of jerseys, photos, and collectibles arranged together so clients can approve the design before you build.
Track specialized materials and labor: Record hardware types, mat layers, and frame depths to quote precisely and avoid missed costs that cut into profit.
Keep client approvals and records organized: Store signed mockups, material notes, and authenticity documents for reference during and after production.
For shops specializing in framing for sports memorabilia, automated POS helps manage detailed projects, protect profits, and maintain professional consistency from quote to completion.
Every piece you frame tells part of a fan’s story — and your system should make honoring that story effortless.
LifeSaver combines project tracking, 3D previews, and detailed material records in one easy-to-manage system. Its tools help you organize multi-item layouts, document client approvals, and maintain full visibility on every order without adding extra steps.
Download Frame Shop POS Systems: The Complete Buyers' Guide to learn what features matter most and how LifeSaver can help you grow your profit and elevate framing for sports memorabilia at your shop.