How to Choose a Base or Pedestal for Your Custom Acrylics Piece

When it comes to showing off cherished items and artifacts, individual collectors and museum exhibit designers know how vital it is to choose a display solution that enhances, and not detracts, from the viewing experience. That′s why custom acrylic display cases have become the industry standard, as they provide a seamless and beautiful view of the items they contain. For some, selecting the perfect box can be a tough job that has high-stakes implications for the way others interact with the items inside.

While choosing a box is an important and sometimes cumbersome display-related decision to make, it′s not the only thing a collector or designer needs to keep top-of-mind. Just as important is the selection of the base or pedestal the box will sit on. In conjunction with the type, style, and feel of the display case, the acrylic display case base or pedestal will have huge impacts on the viewer experience.

“How do I select the perfect base or pedestal for my acrylic display case?” is a question we are often asked and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The challenge of selecting a base or pedestal (and deciding which one of those is the best option) lies in the sheer amount of options available. In fact, the selection of the acrylic box itself is, in many ways, more straightforward than choosing the base or pedestal on which it wills it. As with the acrylic display case selection process, the most important guiding factors to keep in mind while selecting a base are:

  • The purpose of the display
  • The items that are on display and their significance
  • The desired viewing experience
  • The facilitation of tangible or visual viewer interaction if desired
  • The location of the acrylic display box

Depending on the above factors, collectors and designers have a large range of base and pedestal options at their fingertips. First, one must decide whether they want their box to be supported by a base or by a pedestal. A base is a platform, while a pedestal isa taller support on which the box sits. Sometimes, people opt to use both a base and a pedestal for aesthetic purposes. For museum exhibits, pedestals are usually the preferred type of support, while individual collectors often select bases so they can display large boxes on the floor, or to display smaller boxes on shelves or desks.

After the decision to buy a base, pedestal, or both is made, there are two factors that are key to the final product:

  • Material: Select the type of material for the base or pedestal based on functionality and the desired aesthetic effect. Wood is most common for pedestals, while bases are usually comprised of acrylic, glass and/or plastic. However, this is not an exhaustive list and there are many other options to choose from.

  • Color: Pedestals (wood and otherwise) and bases come in a variety of colors, each of which interact with the items on display and the viewer in different ways. Keep both of these things in mind while choosing the color or the support. And remember, bases also don′t have to be a color it′s possible to create a clear acrylic base if that′s the best option to achieve the desired effect.

Choosing the perfect base and/or pedestal can be a tough task, but for good reason — without one or both of them, the display solution is simply not complete. Not only do they help enhance and achieve the desired viewing experience, but they also can serve as another layer of protection for the valuable items on display, especially if they have raised or ridged sides that help secure the acrylic box. Ultimately, let the above-listed factors guide the base/pedestal selection process and always keep the intended viewer interaction in mind.