Personal Memory
Development History

I began designing these commemoratives after my experience as a participant in the 2007 National Senior Games - The Senior Olympics. I managed to win a ribbon at the games, but I wanted to commemorate the event in a more meaningful and decorative form. The framed commemorative at the left is my design for my 1985 New York City Marathon.

I started with a set of ornate musical score borders. After designing a basic layout I started making additions. I wanted to create the look of an old stock certificate. These plaques come with the anti-copy lines if desired. You will see those in some of the samples. These commemoratives can be customized in a variety of ways - different border coloration, anti-copy line color, background image, and so on. Following is a brief description of my print methodology and reasoning behind my choice.

Print Methodology
(Personal Memory - Archival)

I've been a graphic designer for some time, so I attempt to stay up to date on printing technology. My obsession for years has been print longevity. I believe a commemorative should last so people many decades in the future will be able to read about one's accomplishments.

My initial intent was to use dye-sublimation printing on metal because I liked the idea of a metal commemorative. I spent two months testing different inks and printers via experts across the US. Every print was different. Some got close color matches while others were way off the mark. My combination of complicated vector graphics and raster images appeared to be more than the ICC profiles for the sublimation inks to handle. I was advised that the sublimation process had a hard time with gold and other colors. I still believe I could have used the dye-sublimation technology to produce a satisfactory result, but one fact remained. The dye-sublimation inks are more prone to UV degradation.

I looked in to laser toners as an alternative, but there is a consensus that fading does occur in some colors. This was published on the National Archives of Australia's Website - "There is sufficient evidence that colour xerographed images do not last as long as black and white copies. Most international archival institutions do not recommend the permanent or long-term storage of colour photocopied or laser-printed material."

The use of pigmented inks is the focus of most testing and research today in the print world. Using the right ink/paper combination produces archival quality prints with longevity ratings surpassing 150 years. Lamination, approved for some papers, increases that life span. Based on Wilhelm Imaging Research I use Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight and Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss™ Inks. I then use a 10 mil thermal laminate to simulate the look of a metal commemorative. Framing can be done without using a mat or glass. This Epson paper is approved for thermal lamination. The end result is a fine art, archival quality commemorative that will last for many, many decades. I want you to have the best for the money you spend. Of course, if you want longevity ranging into thousands of years that can be accomplished, but not for this price. I can talk to you about that if you're interested.

Sizing

Many of the original renditions you will see on this site were done using a larger graphic on an 8 1/2" x 11" paper. I've come to find that 8 1/2" x 11" is not as popular as 8" x 10" when it comes to off the shelf frames like you might find at A.C. Moore and similar stores. There are more nice looking frames available in an 8" x 10" size if you decide on an off the shelf option. So I am now using a little smaller graphic leaving more border area. The commemorative can be trimmed to fit the smaller frame size. I also found many differences in the frame window offsets, especially in the easel backed, photo frames. You may have to trim the laminate a little based on the frame you select. There is no 'one size fits all' as I would have hoped. Of course, if you decide on a custom frame you have many more options.

Lightfast Ratings

Background Options
You can supply your own background photo.
Click images to enlarge

City 1	City 2	City 3	City 4	Historic 1	Historic 2
Historic 3	International 1	International 2	Landscape 1	Landscape 2	Landscape 3
Landscape 4	Landscape 5	Natural 1	Natural 2	Natural 3	Natural 4
Natural 5	Natural 6	Running 1	Running 2	Running 3	Sea 1
Sea 2	Seasons 1	Seasons 2	Seasons 3	Seasons 4	Sunset 1
Sunset 2	Sunset 3	Water 1	Water 2	Water 3	Water 4

Border Graphic Color Options
Click images to enlarge

Option 1	Option 2	Option 3	Option 4	Option 5
Option 6	Option 7	Option 8	Option 9	Option 10

Personal Running Memory

Individual, personalized commemoratives are available for those who want to memorialize that special event, no matter when it occurred. If you would like a personalized commemorative, I would like to verify the race information you provide. I can do this through published race results.

You can direct me to the race results on the Web or you can provide a copy of the race results. The results should include a course certification number, otherwise I will have to remove that line from the text. The setup page goes over the options about providing results and photographs. Below are your two layout options. You have 36 background options if you do not supply a background photograph and 10 color options for your border graphics.

Here are two examples. Some slight adjustments to the wording and positions may be made in the certification area.

Verification Note:  I would like to verify your race information from published results. You can include an official results sheet as a .txt or Microsoft Word file in your ZIP archive, or supply a Website address that has the official results posted. You can also supply a scan of a results posting in a publication like the Running Journal. If you cannot supply an official results listing, I will use the information you provide on the form you submit for your proof, but I will have to change the certification on the commemorative to read: The bearer of this commemorative personally certifies they were a competitor in the race so signified. Race results and course certification were supplied by the participant. If a course certification number is not available, I will leave out and course certification in the preceding line and Certification # under Course Distance.

Subtle alterations may be made in image location and wording to continually improve the designs.  Colors may vary slightly from screen image.