Scoring Big: Behind the Scenes of Framing Duhan van der Merwe’s Signed Rugby Boot

Hi everyone, Grahame here from Have it Framed in Edinburgh!

Every now and then, a piece comes through our workshop doors that makes us pause, admire, and get incredibly excited about the craft of custom framing. Recently, we had the absolute privilege of framing a truly historic piece of Scottish rugby memorabilia: a match-worn, signed Mizuno rugby boot belonging to Edinburgh, Scotland, and British & Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe.

For a massive rugby fan, this is holy grail territory. For us as custom picture framers, it was an incredibly rewarding technical challenge. 3D objects require a lot more engineering than a standard print or painting, so I wanted to pull back the curtain and show you exactly how we brought this custom deep box frame to life.

The Anatomy of the Display

When you are dealing with a piece of sports history that holds huge sentimental and financial value, you cannot just throw it in a standard frame. It requires a layout that tells a story.

Working closely with the client, we designed a multi-layered presentation:

• The Hero Object: The signed Mizuno boot itself, proudly mounted right in the centre.

• The Heritage Logos: At the top of the display, we featured the official emblems representing Duhan's career milestones: Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland Rugby, and the British & Irish Lions.

• The Photographic Story: Along the bottom, we printed a gorgeous photo collage showing Duhan in action, signing the actual boot, and posing with the delighted fans who brought it to us.

The Technical Details: How We Built It

Framing a heavy, oddly shaped object like a rugby boot requires strict adherence to professional standard craftsmanship. We treat every item brought to us with the utmost care, ensuring the methods we use are secure but entirely safe for the item.  

Here is a look at the technical process behind the scenes:

1. Reversible, Damage-Free 3D Mounting

One of our strictest principles at Have it Framed is that objects must never be held in place with destructive adhesives or silicone sealants. Using glue or silicone can permanently ruin the leather, synthetic fibres, or soles of sports memorabilia.  

Instead, we engineered a completely custom, mechanical support system hidden right beneath the boot. If you look at the workshop photos of the sole, you’ll see we crafted a specialised metal bracket that loops securely through the metal studs and around the base of the sole. This bracket holds the boot firmly in mid-air, creating a stunning "floating" effect, while remaining 100% reversible. If the owner ever wants to take the boot out in twenty years, it will be completely unmarked and undamaged.  

2. Custom Spray-Painted Inner Box

To achieve that flawless, ultra-clean backdrop, the inner wooden box insert wasn’t left raw or covered in standard board. Instead, we custom spray-painted the interior wooden lining to a smooth, uniform white finish.

Using a spray-painted wood insert provides two massive benefits: visually, it eliminates texture lines or seams, giving a seamless, museum-quality look. Technically, because the wooden lining is fully sealed with paint, it creates a robust, stable barrier that helps protect the display area over time. Combined with the bold red outer moulding, the contrast really makes the red and silver details of the Mizuno boot pop!

3. Crafting the Deep Box Frame

Standard frames do not have the depth to house a rugged rugby boot with aluminium studs. We constructed a robust, deep-walled box frame finished in a striking bold red moulding to match the team colours and the accents on the boot.

Keeping a physical distance between the glass and a 3D object is vital ; it ensures that air can circulate properly and prevents any condensation from transferring onto the memorabilia over time.  

4. Precision Engineering & Clean Lines

To make sure the background stayed perfectly rigid under the weight of the floating boot, we utilised a high-density, flat backboard securely pinned with professional framer's points. We always ensure our mitres are accurately cut, glued, and tightly joined so that the focus remains entirely on the display itself.  

Let's Frame Your Memories

Whether you have a signed piece of international sports history, a muddy school jersey, or a cherished family photograph, we approach every single job with the same level of care. As a family-run independent shop, we pride ourselves on being dedicated craftspeople. We don't treat you like a number—we take the time to sit down with you, listen to your story, and design a frame that protects your memories for decades to come.

Do you have a unique object or piece of art you’ve been meaning to get on the wall? We would love to chat about how we can bring it to life.

Pop over to our website at haveitframed.co.uk to explore our services, or click below to book an appointment for a full, one-on-one design consultation with us at our Edinburgh workshop.

Until next time, happy framing!

— Grahame and the team at Have it Framed