Loose display cabinet background ideas?

[edd_jedi]

I have accepted defeat that I'm not going to manage to get even a fraction of my carded collection on display due to the huge space required, so I've decided to instead go for a loose display. I have just ordered one of these 80x60cm display cases from Amazon:

Amazon.co.uk

I should be able to fit the full run of 90ish figures in it over 4 or 5 shelves. I thought it would be cool to make the background yellow like the cardback photos, or even a completely different image printed, like a Hoth scene or something. Any other ideas?

Before anyone suggests it I know there is a company that makes vintage display cases, but they're 10 times more expensive than this Amazon one so decided against it!

 

[lejackal]

I'll caveat my next sentence with the fact I'm tight as fook when it comes to display cabinets etc, but it does always make me chuckle when collectors worry about the cost of the cabinet, when at least one of the loose figures going in it costs as much

 

[Gadders]

Different background per shelf / film?

1: inside deathstar
2: hoth
3: bespin
4: deathstar
5: endor

Not sure how that would look in practice..

 

[lejackal]

for the back drop perhaps a high res scan of one of the pull out posters, or old toy adverts?

 

[Hod10]

Probably a boring answer... I wouldn't bother with a background, I'd leave it minimalistic and really show the figures off. Although like you've mentioned yellow might work but the shelves would need to match.

 

[Snaketibe]

My advice would be to not have a fancy background or image. When I built my first loose figure cabinet many years ago (long since parted with now as my requirements changed), I thought it would be a good idea to have the Star Wars logo behind the figures. And so I very carefully painted an accurate yellow logo on a black background:

The only problem was, it only looked good when it was empty! When all the figures were in front of the logo, it looked like this (apologies for the poor photo):

I was devastated! All that work and effort painting, wasted!

Anyway, when I built my current cabinet, I went for a plain background so the figures can be seen more clearly and are the unquestioned focus of the thing. I also opted for a light background as so many of the figures are dark and hence don't show up that well against a black background:

For anyone wanting more photos or info, the above pictures are taken from these two threads of mine:

My Main Loose Run - From Butterflies to Noah's Ark

I thought it was time to share some photos of my main loose run. Years ago in the 90's, when I first got back into collecting vintage again after foolishly selling off all my childhood toys whilst still a pre-teen in the early 80's, I needed somewhere to keep my collection as it expanded. That...

www.starwarsforum.co.uk

My Modern Collection

I've been collecting the modern line since 1995. I resisted at first, but the first modern Boba Fett figure Hasbro released convinced me to take the plunge, and 27 years later I'm still hooked! In the early days, I used to buy everything released, but over the years I started passing on the...

www.starwarsforum.co.uk

Jeremy

 

[edd_jedi]

That's really interesting Jeremy! I can see how it must have seemed like a great idea but not worked in practice. Definitely something to consider!

 

[Mini99]

I would avoid any detailed background; I have a light background so the figures stand out, as mentioned above the shelves would need to match.
Glass shelves would be nice if you can find the correct size.

 

[welshwookie]

What about a type of mirror finish on the unit backing, you might see the rear of the figures in the reflection ?

 

[db94]

Another vote for keeping it nice and simple.
1 shelf per film

 

[Mini99]

That's another thing to think about, what order to display the figures?

Film order, as above?
Appearance on screen?
Groups of figures i.e. imperial troops, Jabba's Goons etc. (as I have)
Release order of the figures?

What's everyone else's displayed order?

 

[edd_jedi]

I'll probably display the figures in release / wave order, so 4 shelves is the plan - SW, ESB, ROTJ, POTF

 

[Snaketibe]

Mine get displayed firstly by the wave they were released, and then within each wave by order of appearance in the saga

 

[batman]

Self adhesive velours (flocked sticky back plastic) comes in nice bright colours. No painting involved, cheap and fast but it gives an expensive looking finish to the inside of a glass door cabinet.

 

[Darkest_Logic]

Personally I always thought the ikea detolf cabinet with steps are the best way to display as you can just fit edging to stop dusting getting in but sadly ikea are not making the cabinets anymore..

I guess local ads you could maybe pick them up still for cheap

 

[Cazza]

I know you don't want to hear this, but Drew's cases are worth every penny. It completely elevates the display. EVERYONE who has seen my collection has gone straight to that, every time. Absolute quality.

 

[edd_jedi]

It is amazing, maybe one day!

 

[edd_jedi]

The new display case arrived and first impressions are good, the build quality is better than I was expecting based on some of the Amazon reviews. Really can't complain for less than £45. I had to make a new set of holes to space the shelves out a bit more, otherwise the tallest figures (EV-9D9, Amanaman etc) would not have fitted. Now the fun part - filling it up! It's great to see all my loose figures again, they've been in this box for about 7 years. I have run out of stands, so just ordered some more and will post an update when finished.

 

[theforceuk]

I reckon an Arsenal badge would look good.

 

[lejackal]