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With the rise in boutique miniatures that I seemingly can't resist, I've started to accumulate a growing stack of 'art cards.' You're probably familiar with these, but if if not, they're typically post card size (around 5x7) and have the concept art for the miniature on it. It's a really neat added touch to the whole "package" that the minis come with, but I'm sort of at a loss at what to do with them/how to display them.

The're spread out across (primarily) four miniature lines: Kingdom Death, Arena Rex, Infamy, and Infinity.

I'd love to do something with them, but I'm having trouble deciding what and was hoping to glean some ideas or inspiration from all of you.

So, dakka friends, what do you do with all the art cards you've accumulated from minis?

I don't have any myself, but I would suggest framing them a few to a frame (preferably themed) and hanging them on a wall somewhere to look good, much as you might do with a poster or such

Cincy, I am a big fan of framing. It can get expensive, but a good framer can take those art cards and turn them into wall art that you could happily display in your home, or at least your gaming area. You could have them framed together, or singly and group them in little series when displayed, such as in a hallway or staircase.

A trip to David and David, my framers, turned my RBG art print into a beautiful piece I keep in my front entryway, for example.

Kingdom death art is probably best for the more private areas of the home, lol, but a good framing will easily elevate what might seem like nerdy game art out of a frame into classy wall art for your home that even the non gaming folks in your life will appreciate.

weeble1000 wrote:
Cincy, I am a big fan of framing. It can get expensive, but a good framer can take those art cards and turn them into wall art that you could happily display in your home, or at least your gaming area. You could have them framed together, or singly and group them in little series when displayed, such as in a hallway or staircase.

I had not considered grouping them in a series. I like that idea a lot!

Kingdom death art is probably best for the more private areas of the home, lol, but a good framing will easily elevate what might seem like nerdy game art out of a frame into classy wall art for your home that even the non gaming folks in your life will appreciate.

Yeah, I'm torn on a lot of those. Obviously the "gaming" pieces are a little easier to fathom putting on a wall than some of the pin ups.

I think I may start with the Arena Rex stuff in a series like you suggested! Thanks!

I would take a set to a framer, and get them framed by a professional. He will work with you to come up with some options.

I've got a set of about 6 good quality postcard frames on the stairs and switch stuff in and out of them (but DIY rather than professional, if you want them permanently mounted it will be worth using a pro)

(my Arena Rex cards were in most recently, and I've just switched them for some pulp thriller cover postcards)

as long as you're not putting them in direct sunlight enjoy them

I happen to know framers that my family has gone to for decades that are just...stunning. So cost is the only factor for me as I literally just hand the artwork to the 'Davids' and let them do with it what they will.

That long relationship has certainly brought home what creative, professional framing can do to complement and elevate a piece.

The modular postcard framing is a cool alternative idea though. I'll have to give that a go as well!

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
I've got a set of about 6 good quality postcard frames on the stairs and switch stuff in and out of them (but DIY rather than professional, if you want them permanently mounted it will be worth using a pro)

(my Arena Rex cards were in most recently, and I've just switched them for some pulp thriller cover postcards)

as long as you're not putting them in direct sunlight enjoy them

Do you think you could snap a photo of your set up? Looking for ideas that would fit my location.

[puts on professional framer hat... er, apron] I demand you move to New York and let me take a crack at those art cards. The shop is just starting to come out of the post-holiday lull, so now is the time to get them done! Don't know what options you have in your area, but assuming most shops follow a similar pattern, this really is a good time for custom framing - many shops have discounts to drum up business during the slow season and an open queue means plenty of time to lavish on the fit and finish.

Just so you know, postcards vary slightly in size, but don't quite reach 5x7". Official range (if you ask the post office) is a bit taller, but the largest common size is 4x6" (smallest is 3.5x5"). If you decide to do the framing, yourself, you'll actually benefit from the slightly larger size, if yours are indeed 5x7". 3.5x5" frames are less common than 4x6" or 5x7" - companies will often simply stop at 4x6" and toss a skinny mat in to accomodate smaller prints.

Assuming a standard photo print size and a relatively small number (no more than 6-8) of cards per group, collage frames may present a good DIY option. Whether the 'conjoined individual frames' or 'multi-opening mat in larger frame' style, collage frames are great for keeping groupings of small prints from taking up an entire wall, while still looking coherent. I often prefer the 'mini gallery' style of matched individual frames, but it's generally a more expensive option and requires a bit more real estate to hang attractively. Can become a bit of a headache if you plan to swap cards in and out, too - what do you do when your various series have different numbers of cards? Best to restrict that method to (at least somewhat) permanent displays, lest you end up with blank spots and empty hooks all over your wall.

Oh, one more thing, while I'm rambling: UV protective glass. Use it. Always. Out of direct sunlight? Use it anyway. Even soft, incandescent home lighting can and will fade prints, over time. It's not as if they'll go pastel in a month, of course, but I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me to re-mat a piece with a slightly larger window, only to be shocked at the step in color when I lifted up the old mat. Fading due to light damage is slow and subtle, but it's always happening... unless you take precautions. In a similar vein, use acid-free/archival matting, tape... anything that touches the prints. Yellowed edges are ugly and crusty adhesives will never come off cleanly. Securing the art mechanically (photo corners, plastic hold-down tabs, etc.) is always preferable to tape, if you use matting (recommended - acts as a spacer to keep print from adhering to glass, looks good, and, if archival, will help absorb any acids the leech out of the print). If you drop them straight into a frame, try to use some sort of spacer between the print and glass (we use self-adhesive acrylic strips that hide neatly under the overhanging front of the rabbet).


If there's anything else the OP (or anyone reading, for that matter) wants to ask a framer, ask in thread (and shoot me a PM, in case I miss the question). Don't recall seeing framing advice anywhere else on Dakka (there must be some others with experience here, besides me, whether professional or amateur) and would like to leave any answered questions for posterity. Between art cards, posters, box art, etc. it seems like there's a decent bit that wargamers might like to hang in their game rooms, man-caves, etc. I know that I've got quite a stash that I plan to hang, once I have a more permanent space set up.

This sounds like a great idea. My intention was to use the prints as backdrops for the miniatures in displays. Framing sounds great, though.

I'm not sure what your current decor looks like, Cincy, but I might suggest (on individual frames) something like this:



Comparison for light, gray, and dark art cards:



Just flat, smooth frames with a dark gray border for the prints. Again, I don't know if this would work with what you've got going on at home but it'd be my preference.

I would make them into a homemade card game... but that's just me.

I find that stamp mounting corners work well for providing a temporary (and non damaging) way of attatching your art card to a mount


this sort of thing

I scanned my infinity ones (2400dpi) and reprinted them as 8x10s on photo paper (had some I needed to use) and gave away the originals - I really have no need for "postcards".

Now they're in an archive album until I can find suitable framing.

I have tons of the cards that come with the Infinity blisters, as well as the older ones that had art on them.. putting them into some kind of poster sounds like a cool idea!