Whether you are looking to commemorate a special event or simply want a place to store your favorite memories, shadow boxes can be a great option. These boxes can be used to display medals, uniforms, and other memorabilia from a veteran’s time in the military. There are several different places where you can buy shadow boxes, so it can be tricky to determine which one is the best for your needs. In this blog post, we will explore some of the top places to buy shadow boxes and highlight the pros and cons of each. We hope this information helps you find the perfect shadow box for your needs 🎖️!
Table of Contents
#1 USAMM (Editor’s Choice)
USAMM is one of the best places to go for all of your military shadow box needs. The company was founded 15+ years ago (works from the 2006 year) and offers a wide range of services, including military medals, ribbons, badges, attachments, gadgets, uniform tailoring, and more.
Products and Services
USAMM provides official military decorations, ribbons, medals, and uniforms as well as tailoring and equipment. All purchases are completed and dispatched the same or next business day. They’re a veteran-owned firm with attentive customer service reps. USAMM says that the possibilities are endless. This means that you can choose whatever text and artwork you want on your product, which will make it unique and special for you.
USAMM provides personalized item builders such as the EZ Rack Builder, EZ Shadow Box Builder, Leather Tag Builder, Name Tag Builder, Dog Tag Builder, Navy Cap Builder, and Uswag Builder that help to create your own designs directly on the website.
Let us look at the Military Shadow Box Builder in more detail. With the help of this builder, you can quickly create your shadow box: you may arrange, categorize, and completely personalize your trophies and memories. Choosing the components and the assembly method is really simple.
You can choose from these templates:
- Small Sized Display
- Medium Sized Display
- Large Sized Display
- Flag & Memorabilia Display
- Single Medal Display
If you’re looking for a high-quality military shadow box, USAMM is the company for you. They offer a wide variety of shadow boxes in all shapes and sizes, and their prices are unbeatable. We highly recommend their products, so USAMM is the #1 company to buy shadow boxes on our list. 😎
#2 ShadowBoxGuru
ShadowBoxGuru is a company that specializes in the creation and sale of shadow boxes. They offer a variety of designs and styles to choose from, and their boxes are made from high-quality materials. We were impressed with the level of detail and precision that goes into each ShadowBoxGuru box.
About
This firm was founded by John S. Seitz, a woodworker who has been working in the industry full-time since 1985. As an apprentice furniture maker in Dayton, Ohio, he began making handcrafted wood pieces and cabinets for private clients, retail businesses, and juried exhibits in the early 1990s.
Joe’s work was all about custom wood shadow boxes and flag display cases for veterans, first responders, civil servants, scouts, collectors, athletes, and other artists. Each box was handcrafted to order in his studio on the campus of the Front Street Buildings in Dayton’s art and artisan center.
Products and Services
Shadowboxguru creates each shadow box and flag case by hand. Design and construction are all done in-house, ensuring excellent attention to detail, sturdy build, and finish. They exclusively use high-quality domestic hardwoods, hardware, and fabrics with real glass windows to ensure a high level of quality.
It’s simple to mount your medals, patches, and ribbons using straight pins, double-sided tape, or Velcro. All shadow boxes are delivered with mounting hardware for the wall. All boxes can be transported by FedEx in custom-fit, well-padded containers for their journey across the county or even beyond!
Their customer service is excellent, and they create custom shadow boxes quickly. We can highly recommend ShadowBoxGuru to anyone looking for a beautiful and well-crafted shadow box.
Here is the list of products you can order:
- Basic Shadow Boxes (12×24, 16×16, 16×24, 16×32, 18×18, 18×24, 24×24, 24×36, honor guard cartridge box).
- Flag Shadow Boxes (12×24, 16×16, 16×24, 16×32, 18×18, 18×24, 24×24).
- Options and Extras (add-on flag frames, challenge coin shelves, K-bar knife mount with coin shelf, glass options, mounting medals, ribbons, patches, U.S. flags, a branch of service flags).
- Flag Cases (3×5, 4×6, 5×9, 8×12).
#3 Medals of America
Medals of America sells military necessities such as medals, ribbons, shadow boxes, and clothing. The company’s priority was shadow boxes when it was founded in 1976. It gradually expanded over time to cover a wide range of themes connected to military services. Any current active-duty, reserve, or veteran service member in the armed forces, as well as their family members and friends, are great customers for Medals of America. The company’s mission is to help and support people like these.
The staff at Medals of America understands what their customers need. The company was started by veterans, so the employees know what medals, ribbons, and shadow boxes mean to people. This understanding helps them create one-of-a-kind personalized goods. In addition, the company wants to help veterans and their families. Veterans who support Medals of America can feel proud that they are helping other soldiers.
Personal Experience
Medals of America is one of the best places to buy shadow boxes. They have a wide selection of military shadow boxes, as well as other types of shadow boxes, that are all made with high-quality materials. You can also find a variety of customization options at Medals of America, so you can create the perfect shadow box for your needs.
We highly recommend Medals of America if you are looking for a high-quality military shadow box. We were extremely impressed with the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating my shadow box. The staff was also very friendly and helpful, and they were able to answer all of our questions.
Products and Services
Medals of America offers a large selection of military-related products. The collection at Medals of America is enormous, and it includes almost everything for the military.
Many of the products have a lot of customization options: customers can add text or pictures to clothes, wooden plaques, home décor, and more. It allows clients to create something unique and special that would make an excellent gift.
A shadow box can be a nice present for a veteran or active duty member, but you can also explore clothes, accessories, medals, ribbons, and other military supplies from this store.
Verdict: Medals of America is a great company that makes the highest-quality military shadow boxes. They have a wide variety of shadow boxes to choose from, and their prices are very reasonable. We highly recommend Medals of America store for all your military shadow box needs!
#4 Military Memories and More
Military Memories & More is a family-run business that focuses on making unique frames for military shadow boxes. This is a great way to show off someone’s accomplishments. Military Memories was founded by a Vietnam veteran in 2006, who wanted to provide a way for people to remember their friends and family members. The business offers customers the chance to keep sentimental memories (like births, sports, hobbies, vacations, graduation, marriage, or even simple everyday occurrences) in high-quality exhibits.
Products and Services
You can find a design for your needs: different color schemes for each branch of the service (Army, Navy, Air Force, USMC, Coast Guard, and the new Space Force). Their newest addition is the rank-shaped shadow boxes that are handcrafted from solid wood.
All military shadow boxes are 100% hand-made in the United States, using only the highest quality materials. If you are looking for a military frame that is different from all the others, this is the company for you.
You are not limited to layouts, Military Memories & More can design a custom display frame for you that is specific to your needs.
#5 Basement Woodworks
Basement Woodworks Inc was founded in 2004 by Sean L. Arnold and his son Alex. This company provides a wide range of services, including custom military shadow boxes, display cases, flag cases, trophies, award plaques, and more. Each military shadow box is made from solid wood with a strong wooden frame.
Basement Woodworks is a market leader for Military Personalized Shadow Boxes. It has a wide selection of great possibilities, like curved casings and deep-inset boxes, and many high-quality items. Your military distinctions and accolades will be presented by them with the highest respect and dignity as they are professionals at doing this. They have created hundreds of displays over the years, and they continue to work hard every day to produce cases that are not only good-looking but also built to last through time and the elements.
Products and Services
No matter what your award demands are, the company offers laser and custom engraving, ink sublimation 3D Carvings, and a lot of other services. They serve high schools, ivy league institutions, and local youth sports teams as Mid-Coast Maine’s top trophy and awards supplier. Basement Woodworks works hard to give you service that is reasonable, trustworthy, and dependable.
Assortment:
- Flag Display Case. There are many ways to show our patriotism, but one of the best is to put the flag on display. A flag display case will protect the flag and show its beauty for years. You can use a flag display case to honor a fallen soldier or just show your pride in being an American.
- Military Personalized Shadow Boxes. Shadow boxes can help you display your military decorations in three dimensions. These boxes are made of wood and can be used to store your medals, awards, and other prizes. There is a shadow box for every branch of the military, each with its unique carving.
- Military Carvings
- Military Statues & Figurines
- Trophies & Plaques
- Personalized Gifts
- Challenge Coins
- Custom Patches
#6 Amazon
If you’re looking for cheap military shadow boxes with the fastest delivery, Amazon is a place you should definitely visit. Amazon offers a wide selection of military shadow boxes, and they have competitive prices as well as free shipping on qualifying orders. Plus, their customer service is excellent, so you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible shopping experience.
Products and Services
Since Amazon is the largest marketplace on the Internet, it provides anything you need from brand items to hand-made goods and digital products. You can buy almost anything here, which makes this place that popular. Plus, it provides many various services, such as fast shipping and loyalty programs, that make it beneficial and enjoyable to not only a customer but also a merchant. The main advantage of buying goods on Amazon is that it’s a world-known company that guarantees you quality and great support. Even though everything depends on the specific merchant you buy from, you can still rely on Amazon in any situation.
With the help of useful features on Amazon, you can search for shadow boxes that meet all your preferences. Sort goods, apply filters, read reviews, and contact merchants to find the most suitable shadow box from hundreds of options.
#7 Etsy
Etsy is a website marketplace where independent artists and craftsmen can sell their works. Etsy was established in 2005 to help connect buyers looking for unique presents and products with independent artists, designers, and collectors.
When it comes to finding unique and one-of-a-kind shadow boxes, Etsy is the perfect place to shop. This online marketplace is home to a wide variety of sellers who offer handmade and vintage shadow boxes in a variety of styles and colors. You’re sure to find the perfect shadow box for your needs on Etsy!
Products and Services
As it was said, you can find here a great number of various hand-crafted shadow boxes. Most Etsy sellers provide international delivery and a variety of shipping options, some of which are even free.
Note: even if you buy everything at once, ordering from many vendors increases the likelihood that you’ll get items from various carriers at various times because each seller selects their shipping method. Luckily, Etsy has a system that helps you confirm your order number and shipment. They also have a chat app that lets you talk to the seller if there are any problems with the delivery.
#8 Bonus: Shadowboxly
Obviously, Shadowboxly.com is not a manufacturer or seller, but the site specializes in military shadow box picks and reviews. It may be helpful with finding ideas.
FAQ
What is a military shadow box?
A military shadow box is a commemorative display case typically used to honor a veteran’s military service. The cases are often made from wood and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be used to display medals, awards, patches, and other military memorabilia. Military shadow boxes are a popular way to honor military veterans and their service to our country.
What should be in a military shadow box?
Many items can be included in a military shadow box. The most common items are medals, awards, patches, and other military memorabilia. It is up to the individual veteran to decide what they want to include in their shadow box. Some veterans may choose to include photos of themselves during their military service, as well as military relics or mementos from their time in the military. Whatever items are chosen, they should be meaningful to the veteran and commemorate their military service.
Some examples to include in a shadow box:
- Insignia
- Medals
- Ribbons & Pins
- Badges
- Flags
- Certificates
- Considerations (Ex: Diplomas, letters of Commendation, Postcards)
- Uniforms
How do you hang military medals in a shadow box?
There are a few different ways to hang military medals in a shadow box. One popular way is to use a military medal hanger. These hangers are designed to hold military medals in place and can be attached to the inside of the shadow box. Another way to hang military medals is by using military medal holders. These holders are small metal frames that can be attached to the back of the shadow box. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can hold one or multiple military medals. Finally, some veterans choose to simply attach their medals directly to the wall of the shadow box using small screws or nails.
How to arrange a military shadow box?
When arranging a military shadow box, it is important to consider the order of the medals and other items. Most military shadow boxes have three levels: the top level, the middle level, and the bottom level. The top-level is typically used to display the most prestigious medals and awards, while the bottom level is used to display less significant medals and items.
When arranging military medals, it is important to consider the following:
- which medals are the most prestigious
- which medals are in chronological order
- which medals are in geographical order
For example, if a veteran has a medal from World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq, it would be appropriate to place the World War II medal on the top level, followed by the Vietnam medal, and then the Iraq medal. This would be in chronological order from oldest to newest. If a veteran has multiple medals from one conflict, it might be appropriate to place them in geographical order. For example, if a veteran has multiple medals from Afghanistan, they might be placed in Afghanistan order on the shadow box.
How to display military medals in a shadow box?
There are a few different ways to display military medals in a shadow box. One popular way is to use a military medal hanger. These hangers are designed to hold military medals in place and can be attached to the inside of the shadow box. Another way to display military medals is by using military medal holders. These holders are small metal frames that can be attached to the back of the shadow box. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can hold one or multiple military medals. Finally, some veterans choose to simply attach their medals directly to the wall of the shadow box using small screws or nails.
Note: Military medals must be hung in the highest echelon to look proper. Military medals should be placed on top of the ribbons and badges in the shadow box.
How to make a military shadow box?
Making a military shadow box is a relatively simple process. The first step is to choose a shadow box that is the right size and shapes for your needs. Next, decide what items you want to include in the shadow box. Once you have determined what items you want to include, it is important to create a layout for the shadow box. This can be done by arranging the items on a piece of paper or by using a military medal hanger.
Once you have created a layout, it is time to attach the medals and other items to the shadow box. This can be done using military medal holders, military medal hangers, or by attaching them directly to the wall of the shadow box. Finally, add any finishing touches to the shadow box, such as photos or text, and it is ready to be displayed.
Note: creating a DIY shadow box from scratch is a complicated process that requires special skills, respect, and love. You can find decent tutorials on how to design a unique shadow box with your own hands, however, there is no simple guide for it. Combine all the thoughts and ideas you have and put them together to get what you want. Yet you don’t think you can do it yourself, you can choose one of the companies above to get your memorial.
Where to buy military shadow boxes?
One option for buying shadow boxes is through military surplus stores. These stores typically sell a variety of different military items, including shadow boxes. They usually have a wide selection of different sizes and styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that meets your needs. Another advantage of military surplus stores is that they often sell other military-related items, such as uniforms and medals. This can be a great way to get everything you need in one place.
Another option for buying shadow boxes is online. Many websites sell shadow boxes, and you’ll likely be able to find a better selection than you would at a military surplus store.
Above is a list of some of the best places to buy shadow boxes, based on quality, price, and customer service.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a military-specific shadow box or just a standard shadow box to display your favorite memories, there are plenty of great options for where to buy them. Our list of the best places to buy shadow boxes includes military surplus stores and online retailers. If you want to find the best product, check out the stores from this article.
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