Who can reproduce and frame my diplomas?

September 5, 2008 3:10 PM

Reprographics - where to start?

I'm a doctor, and over the years have accumulated a bunch of diplomas, certifications, licensures and other sheepskins that I either would like to or am legally obligated to display in my office. Some nice framing would be in order for some of these.

I have 2 offices, as it happens, two physical locations, and would like to display the same documents more or less in each place. Furthermore, I'd like to have the originals locked away in a safe deposit box. At the moment most of them aren't even framed, they're in their original envelopes.

My priorities, in order, are:

1) That the documents be returned to me undamaged. Some of them can't be replaced; one of them actually carries a $3000 fee to obtain a replacement.

2) That whoever does the reproduction and framing not steal/sell my identity documents.

3) That the framing and reproduction be decent quality, something durable that I'd be proud to display.

I am on the Central Coast of California, but would be willing to travel to San Francisco, San Diego, or L.A. to get this done if it seemed prudent.

But I don't really know where to start. Who does this kind of thing? What do they charge? What should I expect? Whom can I trust?

posted by ikkyu2 to media & arts (10 comments total)

You didn't say what size your documents are, but taking into consideration your concerns about identity theft and/or damage to your originals, you could buy a scanner and do the job yourself. It's pretty easy and you can order frames from anywhere.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 3:43 PM on September 5, 2008

You might want to have your documents plaqued. A few websites I've browsed will accept scanned copies of your documents. One has a brick & mortar in San Francisco. So far none address the identity/privacy issue explicitly.
posted by carsonb at 3:57 PM on September 5, 2008

You didn't say what size your documents are, but taking into consideration your concerns about identity theft and/or damage to your originals, you could buy a scanner and do the job yourself.

And then buy some nice paper and print them out on a laser jet? That could work, especially if the documents are the standard, roughly 8.5x11 diploma size. I don't think there's any real reason not to do this yourself. Or at least ask a friend who has a decent scanner.

Otherwise, ikkyu2, I think you're making a bigger deal out of this than you need to. I understand your concerns, but I would think any reprographics shop that has a decent quality scanner could easily pull off your job (at least the copying part) with no worries about anything. Many repro shops, even tiny rinky-dink ones that I've worked with for presentation renderings, have their own "color" divisions that do their classy printing work on nicer heavy paper, and I think lamination, maybe even permablocking, are pretty standard services. I'd just call a local shop and tell them how you want things to look when they're done and see what they have to say. There may be shops that do the framing and everything at one spot, but I'd guess that the reproduction and the framing are going to be done by separate entities.

And for the love of god, please do not go to Kinkos. Just look up "reprographics" or "printing" in the yellow pages. This is an example of the type of place I'm talking about.
posted by LionIndex at 4:06 PM on September 5, 2008

While I don't have any specific recommendation, I can tell you that many printers/copy shops are bonded in order to do legal copying, which generally takes place in a separate, locked area of the shop. That might be a good place to start. So look or ask around for shops that do "legal copying." They might even be able to make high quality color photocopies, then add foil seals, ribbons, etc, as needed.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 4:09 PM on September 5, 2008

I notice you're a SLO-town guy. Have you talked to the folks at Poor Richard's Press? They've been in business since I was a kid, so they've got to be doing something right. Drop by their office and talk to one of the salespeople about your needs and concerns, I'm sure they'd be glad to give you a moment of their time.

You'll most likely have to get the framing done somewhere else though. My mom's an ex-framer, so I can get some recommendations from her, if you'd like.
posted by lekvar at 4:22 PM on September 5, 2008

Friend of mine who used to live thereabouts suggests you talk to these guys.
posted by tangerine at 4:24 PM on September 5, 2008

Didn't preview! Sorry, lekvar.
posted by tangerine at 4:24 PM on September 5, 2008

For copying, I'd use a litigation-approved copying service (example) before I'd use a standard copy shop of any stripe. I'd also make sure they had archival-quality paper (probably by providing it myself - example)

As far as framing goes, most shops are too busy getting things framed to ever care about stealing anyone's identity, but you could avoid entirely by just ordering the constructed frames, glazing, matting, and hanging materials through a shop then doing assembly yourself. But if you're willing to leave the copies with them, this is one of the most common framing requests and, since the total job ends up being on the smaller side (18x24 or less), you can get your items back fairly quickly/inexpensively.

I don't know what frame shops are best in your area, but choose whatever reputable shops in your area are known for archival-quality framing, good moulding selection, and fair price and you're sure to be fine. Check with whatever professional communities you may belong to find out who they used for framing - most clients I had learned to come to me through word-of-mouth.

Note that many shops with more than one location (particularly frame shops found in craft stores) are likely to have centralised their main moulding operation, so will send out pieces requiring custom frames/more difficult matting/specialty glazing to these locations and have them sent back. This can make the process take longer and introduce possible risks to your copies. Making extra copies might be worth it if you consider that they do passable work and twice a year framing sale coupons in the paper are industry standard.
posted by batmonkey at 4:28 PM on September 5, 2008

Out of curiosity, can I ask which is the $3000 one?

Now you've got me all worried that I'm ignorant and don't realize I need to be paranoid about the same thing!
posted by Dr. Sam at 7:43 PM on September 5, 2008

I was quoted that the neurology board certification costs $3000 to replace. I am not sure that's actually true, but I would never want to lose the darn thing.

Thanks for all your help, guys. I will check out Poor Richard's next week.

Otherwise, ikkyu2, I think you're making a bigger deal out of this than you need to.

That's kind of my M.O. in life, actually.
posted by ikkyu2 at 7:52 PM on September 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]