Shadow Box Framing in San Antonio
The Frame Gallery builds custom shadow boxes for the things you want to keep. Bring in medals, a folded flag, a jersey, a wedding dress or a family keepsake. We are at 5563 De Zavala Rd, Ste 190, San Antonio, TX 78249, near UTSA.
Call (210) 615-8229 Map and directionsCustom Shadow Boxes Built in San Antonio
A shadow box is a deep frame that holds three-dimensional keepsakes behind glass. At The Frame Gallery in north San Antonio, we design and build each one around what you bring in: service medals and a folded flag, a signed jersey, a wedding bouquet, a christening gown or a family heirloom.
We carry all types of shadow box frames, in rustic, traditional, ornate and natural wood styles, and can stack some as deep as 16 inches for a very deep look. We can go deeper, up to 20 inches, when a piece needs it. Every box gets acid-free mats and backing, with UV-filtering, non-glare or museum glass. Shadow boxes are part of our custom framing in San Antonio and take about two weeks.
- Since 1984
- As deep as 16 in
- Over 300 mats
- About 2 weeks
Bring in your keepsakes. No appointment needed.
Plan the layout with us. Free design help in the shop.
Choose frame, mat and glass. Add an engraved plate if you like.
Pick it up. Ready in about two weeks.
Most Common Shadow Boxes We Build
These are the ten most common kinds of shadow boxes. Each one is designed and built at The Frame Gallery in San Antonio. The four pictures are jobs from our shop.
Folded flag and service medals 
Baseball with its certificate 
Shark jaw with a fishing photo 
Charro suit
Military and service medals
Service ribbons, medals, challenge coins, patches, folded flags and uniform insignia.
Sports memorabilia
Signed jerseys, game-used balls, tickets, equipment and championship rings, in a deep frame.
Wedding and anniversary keepsakes
Bridal bouquets or preserved flowers, invitation suites, garters, cake toppers and ceremony mementos.
Graduation and academic
Diplomas, graduation tassels, caps, honor cords, class photos and achievement awards.
Baby and infant memories
Hospital ID bracelets, first shoes, sonogram photos, birth announcements and baptism or dedication keepsakes.
Travel and vacation memories
Travel tickets, coins, maps, souvenirs, seashells and flight passes from memorable trips.
3D art and specimens
Botanical pressings, butterflies and other specimens, paper sculpture and dimensional textile art.
Memorial and pet tributes
Photos, collar tags, paw prints, sympathy cards and memorial keepsakes that honor a loved one or a pet.
Heirlooms and vintage jewelry
Antique brooches, pocket watches, lockets and family heirlooms, pinned to a velvet or linen backing.
Music and entertainment collectibles
Concert tickets, backstage passes, vinyl records, drumsticks, guitar picks and signed band photos.
Have something that is not on this list? Bring it in or call (210) 615-8229. Framing a diploma on its own? See our diploma framing.
Military Shadow Boxes in San Antonio
San Antonio is Military City USA, and military shadow boxes are some of the most meaningful pieces we build at The Frame Gallery. We bring service medals, ribbons, patches, a folded flag and photos together in one frame, laid out so the story reads clearly at a glance.
A military shadow box makes a lasting retirement gift or memorial, and we take extra care with anything tied to someone's service. Even a full army uniform fits in one of our deep boxes.
What goes in a military shadow box
- Service medals and ribbons
- Challenge coins
- Patches and badges
- Folded flags
- Uniform insignia
- Uniforms
- Photos
- Engraved name plates
We engrave plates in our shop, including memorial plates with names, ranks and dates. Bring us the wording and we will help you lay it out.
Call (210) 615-8229Acrylic Display Boxes Custom Built for Your Piece
Some keepsakes are meant to be seen from every side. For those, The Frame Gallery in San Antonio builds clear acrylic display boxes, also called acrylic display cases. Every box is custom measured, designed and built by us for your item. These are not premade boxes.
We can make an acrylic box up to 30 inches high and 36 inches wide, and it takes about two weeks to complete. The two pictures show a kachina doll and a kimono doll in boxes we built.
- Custom measured
- Up to 30 in high
- Up to 36 in wide
- About 2 weeks
Kachina doll 
Kimono doll
Wedding Shadow Boxes and Family Keepsakes
A wedding shadow box keeps the day where you can see it. At The Frame Gallery in San Antonio we frame the dress, the veil, a bouquet or preserved flowers, the invitation, a garter or a cake topper. The picture shows a veil, a headband and a wedding photo in a box we built.
Every box gets acid-free mats and backing, and museum glass blocks UV light to help keep colors and fabrics from fading. We build the same kind of box for baby keepsakes, family heirlooms and memorials. For embroidery and other needlework, see our needlework framing.
Wedding dress shadow boxes
A full length dress needs a large, deep box, and we build it to fit the dress.
Bouquets and flowers
Bridal bouquets or preserved flowers from the day.
Invitations and photos
The invitation suite and a favorite wedding photo, matted together in one box.
Anniversary keepsakes
Garters, cake toppers and ceremony mementos, for a wedding or an anniversary.
Jersey Framing and Sports Shadow Boxes
Sports memorabilia is a big part of what we do at The Frame Gallery in San Antonio. We frame signed jerseys, signed baseballs, game-used balls, tickets, equipment and championship rings, along with photos from a favorite game or a player's own career.
A jersey goes in a deep shadow box frame. We build the mat and backing around its shape, so it sits securely and stays protected for years. For sports posters and flat signed photos, see our poster framing.
What goes in a sports shadow box
- Signed jerseys
- Signed baseballs
- Game-used balls
- Tickets
- Equipment
- Championship rings
- Photos
- Engraved name plates
Shadow Box Framing Questions
Cost, timing, depth and what we can frame in a custom shadow box in San Antonio.
Another question? Call (210) 615-8229.
How much does a custom shadow box cost in San Antonio?
Each shadow box is unique in size and depth, so the price depends on the box and on the frame, mat and glass you choose. Bring your items to The Frame Gallery or call (210) 615-8229 for a price.
How long does it take to build a custom shadow box?
A custom shadow box generally takes about two weeks. Call (210) 615-8229 if you need it by a certain date.
How deep can a shadow box be?
Our shadow box frames can be stacked as deep as 16 inches, and up to 20 inches deep for a large piece.
What is the largest shadow box you have built?
Our largest shadow boxes have held large guns, full length dresses, army uniforms and sports jerseys.
What can I put in a shadow box?
If an object has sentimental value, there is a good chance we can build a shadow box for it. The most common are military medals and folded flags, sports memorabilia, wedding and anniversary keepsakes, graduation items, baby keepsakes, travel souvenirs, 3D art and specimens, memorial and pet tributes, heirloom jewelry and music collectibles.
Can you frame military medals, a flag and patches in one shadow box?
Yes. We bring service medals, ribbons, patches, a folded flag and photos together in one frame. We also engrave name plates and memorial plates in our shop.
Can you frame a sports jersey?
Yes. A jersey goes in a deep shadow box frame, and we build the mat and backing around its shape so it sits securely and stays protected.
Can you put a wedding dress in a shadow box?
Yes. Full length dresses are some of the largest shadow boxes we have built. We also frame veils, bouquets or preserved flowers, invitations and other wedding keepsakes.
What glass and mats do you use in a shadow box?
Every shadow box gets acid-free mats and backing. You choose the glass: UV-filtering glass, non-glare UV glass or museum glass, which is almost invisible.
Do you make acrylic display boxes?
Yes. Every acrylic box is custom measured, designed and built by us for your item. These are not premade boxes. We can make them up to 30 inches high and 36 inches wide, and they take about two weeks.
Do I need an appointment?
No appointment is needed, and design help in the shop is free. Bring your items to The Frame Gallery at 5563 De Zavala Rd, Ste 190, San Antonio, TX 78249, near UTSA. We are open Monday to Friday 11 to 6 and Saturday 11 to 5.
What a Customer Says About Her Shadow Box
Part of a five-star Yelp review from a customer who brought us a 50-year-old piece to reframe.
I had a piece that is 50 yrs old and required delicate handling for reframing after it broke. The piece had a painted glass, a material made back piece and needed a shadow box type of frame. … Lupe at The Frame Gallery was patient, helpful and assured me it would be handled with care … She took her time to help me find the right colors and mats to give the piece an antique look …