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Layouts by number of frames:
Layouts by scenario:
General Patterns & layouts
First things first, there is no “right way” to arrange Display. That’s part of the idea.
However, if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few patterns we’ve found to give you some inspiration around your home.
The important decision:
Before you run off and start creating the trading card Display of your dreams, you need to ask yourself one very important question.
Space, or No Space? 🪐
What do we mean?
Take a look at the image below:
The left Display frames have a small gap between them, however on the right, the frames edges are touching.
This is a small adjustment, but can offer a big impact to how your Display feels as a whole.
The first tip is make the decision before you start hanging your cards up on the wall and plan your layout first.
Our personal preference is to give each frame a little space, everyone appreciates some breathing room.
Team flat head or pointy peaks
This decision may be made for you if you have an awkward space, but Display comes with two types of frame orientations, you can either rotate the hexagon flat or pointy side up.
The main difference being, the patterns you can make. If your space is more inclined for a horizontal Display, go for pointy side up, if you’re going vertical, we’d recommend flat side up.
With that being said, you can create some interesting patterns either way, so just try both and see which looks best for your space.
P.s don’t worry about if your card is portrait or landscape, you can rotate the inner circle so your card doesn't look like its fallen over.
By number of frames
The 3 Starters
✅ Good for: Highlighting evolution lines, Smaller spaces, starting your TCG Display
The simplest place to start. Center around your favourite starter evolution line, or your top three cards from a set.
Three frames have a fair amount of flexibility, but as they form a natural cluster you basically have 4 options.
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Straight line
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The Chevron
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Triangular
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Abstract
The Fantastic 4
✅ Good for: Beating Galactus, Small groups, A bigger start.
4 hexagon shaped frames are actually a bit awkward to deal with, there is less symmetry, and asymmetrical layouts can look a bit lopsided:
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Straight line
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Cluster
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Fancy Triangle
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Abstract
Fantastic 5
(Franklin was born)
✅ Good for: Adding structure, Expanding your TCG Display, Filling awkward spaces
5 Display frames is where it starts getting interesting, the patterns available to you increase dramatically and things don’t have to be symmetrical anymore. Asymmetry is your friend.
You can really start to integrate Display frames within your home and let your trading card collection become part of your space.
For 5 frames, we’ve got:
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Asymmetrical patterns
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4 Frames surrounding the middle guy
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A classic honeycomb cluster
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The Stagger
Lucky number 7
✅ Good for: A full honeycomb, balanced layouts, a trading card statement, great for corners.
Surprisingly still fairly compact, unless you are going for straight lines…7 Frames is when you can start to create a full honeycomb with a centered star completely surrounded by its entourage.
Asymmetry becomes even more important, and you can really lean into it for corner Displays
We’ll leave out straight lines from here… we’re sure you’re an expert by now.
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Corners
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Full Honeycombs
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Cluster
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Abstract
Cloud 9
✅ Good for: Displaying every type of Eeveelution. Feature walls large collections
Eeveelutions are love. Eeveelutions are life.
Beyond numbers
At a certain point, it stops being about how many frames you have, and more about ambition… What’re you trying to achieve?
If you want an impressive wall completely covered, Go for it.
Looking to integrate your Display around your home? Display is great for awkward spaces.
The next section is about the scenarios you may be looking at, and how we’d suggest approaching the integration of your trading card showcase with your space.
The Feature wall
Feature walls make a show of your trading cards and put them centre stage.
Completely fill a wall and make a show of it, the only decision is do you give each card their own show space? Or cluster them all together.
Set patterns
Grid
Setting up your frames as a grid is always a solid choice, structure and clarity.
Create a lower footprint Display by directly connecting your frames, or add a little space between them to fill out the wall for that more dramatic featurette.
Also check out Negative Space method for an expanded Grid layout
Symmetrical
For those that require everything in order, symmetrical shapes please our brains.
Pick a reflection point and simply build up equally on both sides, add a space, or connect them all together.
Asymmetrical
For the chaotic personality. Or to fit an awkward space and bring balance to the room. Pick which ever reasoning you like. Asymmetrical designs are great for filling corners, weaving around furniture, or simply adding interest to a previously boring wall.
Adding Negative Space
Adding intentional space between frames and create new patterns, or simply give some breathing room to your prized cards so they don't look crowded, great if you want to fill an entire wall with less frames. But make it feel purposeful.
It's up to you
We can only guide you so far, at the end of the day its up to your personal taste and space.
But if you really can't decide, send us a picture of where you're thinking of placing your frames to hello@displayit.shop, and we'll create a layout to fit your space so you can start appreciating your cards properly.
