It took years of hard work to get your college diploma -- now it's finally time to show it off!

Hanging your diploma frame doesn't have to be a headache, no matter when you get around to getting it on the wall. Maybe you've just graduated (congrats!!) and want to display your brand new achievement to the world. Or maybe you're moving into a new office and want to make your new space feel like it's truly your own.

Whatever the case may be, having your achievements up and ready for admiration requires you to, well, put it up. 

That said, earning a diploma doesn’t imply having the know-now for building skills--they don’t teach that sort of thing in your typical curriculum. And unfortunately, not all of us are technically inclined. 

But not to worry, we’re here to help in that department. Your hard-earned academic status deserves some recognition. Let’s see to it that you get your due. Keep reading for more on--

• How to pick the right diploma frame for you
• Step by step instructions on how to mount your diploma frame on the wall
• The best way to show it off

🎓Choosing The Perfect Frame To Show Off Your Degree

The Standard Frame

A standard single frame is an excellent option for those of us who simply want to hang up our diplomas for ourselves. Not all of us require bells and whistles. Still, putting in the effort to acknowledge our milestones is a lovely way to celebrate quietly.

A simple, understated frame is also the perfect way to show a recent high school graduate how proud you are of them. They most likely wouldn’t think to ask for one but will be so grateful to receive it. Framing your child’s high school diploma is essentially the grown-up version of hanging their best artwork on the refrigerator--your pride becomes their pride. What a lovely way to document the end of one academic season and start a new one!

The Embossed School Logo Frame

For many people, their college days carry some of their fondest memories. Does that sound like you? If so, you might consider going with a frame that captures your school spirit. You’ll surely smile whenever you happen to glance at it. 

Another reason to go for this sort of diploma frame is that it’s a way of quickly gaining visibility--especially if you graduated from a top tier school. Diploma frames are always useful in being conversation starters, but having your school’s name more available might give you an extra leg up when networking. 

The Double Diploma Frame

For those who have gone the extra mile in their academic tenure, a double diploma frame makes a lot of sense. If you’ve just finished your master’s degree, going with this version may be an optimal setup for a couple of reasons.

It’s A Good Deal

By choosing to invest in a double frame for your two diplomas, you’re likely to save a bit of cash. The price for a double typically goes for less money than two single diploma frames. After giving yourself a necessary yet expensive education, why not treat yourself while saving money?

It’s Easier To Work With

If you’re reading this article, it’s because you don’t know how to hang your diploma frame just yet. Before you venture to hang two up separately, how about making the process simple? If you enjoy a challenge and prefer two, more power to you. But for those of us who aren’t the best with our hands, going double could make the process stress-free. 

They’ll Look Nice And Polished

If you happened to get both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the same school, keeping your degrees together is a no-brainer. Think of your frame as a one-stop-shop to whoever has the pleasure of seeing it. They’ll find it cohesive, clean, and impressive. 

🎓Finding The Right Home For Your Diploma

There’s no wrong place to hang your diploma. With that said, different places speak to different intentions. So how do you decide whether your diploma should spend its days indoor office or at home? Consider this.

📍Putting Your Degree On Display In The Workplace

For some people, the question of whether or not to display a diploma in their office appears to be pressing. But to us, it’s a no brainer. Here’s why--

It Reinforces Credibility

This is especially true if you happen to work in a caring field--think primary care physicians, surgeons, dentists, psychiatrists, etc. Patients who step into their offices are often coming in feeling  vulnerable. Having a diploma up in plain sight can do a lot to help build trust with those responsible for their health, both physical and mental.  

In other fields, like academia, your diplomas assert how qualified you are. In a world where accolades equate to opportunity, it makes sense to boast your achievements. You never know--it might start a conversation, and eventually, help you win that grant or tenure you’ve been working towards.

It Makes The Space Uniquely Yours

You should never be afraid to personalize your office. That said, some things are appropriate for work and things that, well, aren’t. Your diploma is not something that you should be worried about. 

Our degrees play a crucial role in getting us professional positions, so why not have it there? It could give the occasional confidence boost--we all need one from time to time. 

📍Giving Your Diploma A Home Where You Live

If you don’t feel inclined to hang your diploma frame at work, that’s alright. You might consider making some space on a wall at home. They say that our homes are an expression of who we are. You might not be a student anymore, but your academic achievements have likely contributed to your current iteration. 

And not only do you deserve to be celebrated, but motivated. We all have hard days--it’s part of participating in the workforce. On those days, we sometimes need a reminder of how far we’ve come. Other times, we need something to remind us of our abilities. Having a home diploma frame setup will undoubtedly do the trick!

🎓How To Your College Diploma(s)

We can all agree that diplomas are meant to be seen. But how exactly do we make that happen? Follow these steps, and you’ll be all set. Acouple of quick tips and pointers for hanging your diploma frame:

• If your diploma didn’t come inside the frame already, make sure to get that squared away before making sure you place it on the wall. It’ll be far less likely to cause stress later on.
• Make a plan for the exact spot on the wall you’d like to hang your diploma frame. This is particularly important if you plan to mount more than one. If that’s the case for you, we recommend hanging your diplomas in order of significance. Meaning, if you want to stack yours vertically, place your most advanced degree at the top and follow in descending order. When going for a horizontal display, put your most recent diploma on the left and go from there. 

Now it's time for the fun part --actually rolling up your sleeves and hanging that frame on the wall!

Step 1. Gather Your Tools

First thing’s first--you’re diploma frame needs to hang on something. Each of OCM’s frames come with everything you need to get started, but in case you need to supply your own tools, here’s what you’ll need--

• One of two nails (1.5-2 inches each)
• A level 
• A hammer 
  

If your diploma frame comes with a hanging kit, you’ll have two detachable markers that go on each end, along with a bumper that goes at the bottom of the frame for extra security. With that, we always recommend checking to see whether you’ve received all of the necessary tools before beginning the process.

Step 2. Get Everything Nice And Even

To make sure your frame looks as neat as possible, you’ll want to use that leveling tool to gauge exactly where you’d like it to hang. This is an important step--a slanted frame might appear less credible to onlookers, especially in a professional setting. 

Place the tool on top of the frame and place them both against the wall. Adjust the frame until the bubble within the leveling tool rests in the middle. Once your diploma frame is straight, mark the area that requires nailing. 

Pro Tip: If you have a frame with an aluminum hanging apparatus, this will be the last step. 

Step 3. Secure Your Diploma Frame On The Wall

Once you’ve got your tools laid out and your wall marked appropriately, you’re ready to go! 

Then, place your nail through your provided marker against the previously marked areas on the wall at a 45-degree angle and hammer it into place. Repeat this step if your kit provides more than one nail.  

After your nails and markers are secured, go ahead and place your hard-earned diploma on the markers. 

The only thing left to do at this point is to step back and admire your handiwork!

Whether you decide to hang your degree in your home, office, or live-in workspace, make sure you do it with pride. In graduating high school, college, or university, you’ve done something worthwhile that warrants a good pat on the back, to say the very least. What better way to do it than with a professional-looking diploma frame?