A well-fitted frame starts with the diploma itself—not a guessed frame size. Before shopping, measure the paper and check where its printed content, borders, and raised or attached seals sit. Those details affect how much of the document a mat can cover and whether the finished display looks balanced. Use a clean, flat surface and a ruler or measuring tape, then record your measurements so you can compare frame and mat options with confidence.
Measure the Paper
Place the diploma face up on a clean, dry table. Avoid pressing on raised seals or handling the document more than necessary. Measure the full paper width from edge to edge, then measure its height from top to bottom. Keep the ruler straight and record both dimensions in inches, including fractions if needed.
Measure the paper itself, not the visible printed area or an existing frame opening. If the sheet is not perfectly rectangular, note the widest width and tallest height. Write the measurements clearly as width by height, and label them as the document size to avoid confusing them with the frame size later.
Check Seals and Borders
Look closely at the diploma’s edges and surface before choosing a mat. Note any printed border, handwritten text, embossed mark, ribbon, or raised seal. Measure how far each detail sits from the paper edges, especially if a seal extends close to the bottom or side. A mat opening that is too small can hide important information or press against a raised feature.
If a seal projects beyond the paper, record its approximate width and height and how far it extends. Do not flatten it to take a measurement. A framer can use these notes to plan clearance and select a frame depth that accommodates the document without squeezing or bending the seal.
Plan the Mat Opening
The mat opening should reveal the diploma’s important content while covering only a small, even edge of the paper, if any. Lay a sheet of tracing paper or other clean, non-adhesive paper over the diploma and mark the area that must remain visible. Include the full printed border and give extra room around raised seals. Do not place tape or sticky notes on the diploma.
A mat opening is usually smaller than the paper to hold the document in place, but the right overlap depends on the diploma’s details and how it will be mounted. Share the paper dimensions and your visibility notes with the framer. Ask them to confirm the opening size and placement before the mat is cut.
Record and Verify Measurements
Make a simple note with the paper width and height, seal location and projection, border measurements, and any details that must remain visible. Include a straight-on photo for reference if the document’s features are difficult to describe. Keep the diploma flat and protected while you shop; avoid folding it or rolling it to fit a bag.
Frame dimensions refer to the outside size, while the opening and document dimensions describe different parts of the assembly. Confirm which measurement a frame listing uses before ordering. Bring your notes and, when practical, the diploma to a framing professional so they can check fit, recommend suitable materials, and account for any irregular features.
Accurate measurements help prevent covered text, pinched seals, and a mat that looks off-center. Record the diploma’s full paper size and mark every feature that needs clearance before selecting a frame. If you would like help checking the fit, bring your measurements to Scottsdale Diploma Frames for guidance.