Best Practices for Protecting Video Games, Movies and CDs in Frames

Collecting physical media is about more than nostalgia. Video games, movies and CDs are cultural artefacts, design objects and often serious investments. Framing them properly is one of the best ways to display and protect them at the same time, but only if it’s done right.

At Frame-A-Game, we design frames specifically for physical media. Not generic photo frames. Not repurposed poster frames. Proper protection, proper presentation and no compromises.

Start with UV Protection, Always

Light is one of the biggest long-term threats to boxed games, discs and printed inserts. Sunlight and even strong indoor lighting can fade artwork, yellow plastics and weaken paper over time.

That’s why UV protection is non-negotiable. Our frames include UV-protective glazing as standard, helping to block harmful rays while keeping colours crisp and true. It’s one of those things you don’t notice day to day, but years down the line you’ll be very glad it was there.

If a frame doesn’t clearly state its UV protection, assume it doesn’t have any.

There are plenty of companies in this space who don’t include UV protection as standard. Instead, it’s treated as an optional extra, quietly upsold at checkout as if it’s some kind of premium add-on. We fundamentally disagree with that approach. UV protection isn’t a luxury feature. It’s a basic requirement for protecting physical media from fading and long-term damage.

At Frame-A-Game, we don’t believe in upselling something that should be there from the start. That’s why UV-protective glazing is included in our frames as standard, because your collection deserves proper protection without compromise or hidden upgrades.

Secure the Contents Without Stress

Games, movies and CDs were never designed to be hung on a wall. A good frame must support the item without bending, crushing or putting pressure on fragile points like spines, corners or disc hubs.

Best practice includes:

• Internal supports designed for the specific format

• No adhesives touching the item itself

• Enough space to avoid warping while keeping everything firmly in place

If the item can shift when the frame is upright, it’s not properly protected.

Choose the Right Materials

Frames should protect your collection, not slowly damage it.

Look for:

• Acid-free mounts and backings to prevent chemical reactions

• Clean internal finishes that won’t scuff plastics or card

• Glazing that won’t cloud or discolour over time

Cheap materials might look fine on day one, but they can cause irreversible damage long before you notice anything is wrong.

Glass and E-commerce Do Not Mix

Let’s address the elephant in the room.

Any so-called framing expert selling frames online who sends them out with glass knows full well they’re taking a gamble. Glass breaks. In transit, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

Professional e-commerce framers avoid glass for one simple reason. It’s a high-risk material that leads to breakages, damaged items and disappointed customers. If you’re receiving frames through the post, the glazing should be designed for transport, durability and safety.

Your collection deserves better than being one courier drop away from disaster.

Display Smartly

Even with UV protection, placement still matters.

• Avoid direct sunlight where possible

• Keep frames away from heat sources

• Mount securely so nothing shifts over time

A well-chosen spot helps preserve both the item and the frame itself.

Framing as Preservation, Not Just Decoration

Framing isn’t just about making your collection look good on a wall. It’s about long-term care. When done properly, a frame becomes a protective environment that shields your game, movie or CD from light, dust, handling and time itself.

That’s the mindset we build our frames around at frameagame.com. Purpose-built protection, display-ready design and materials chosen with collectors in mind.

Because these pieces aren’t just media. They’re memories, milestones and part of gaming and film history.