You’ve been to the shows. You’ve bought the t-shirts. You have a camera roll full of blurry videos you’ll probably never watch again. But where is the physical proof?

One of the most popular ways to display fandom today is the Concert Shadow Box—a glass-enclosed display case that hangs on your wall, filled with the artifacts of your musical journey. It’s a sophisticated step up from taping things to a bedroom wall.

However, many fans start this project only to hit a wall: they don't have enough "stuff" to fill the box. In the age of digital ticketing, the most important element—the ticket stub—is missing.

Here is a step-by-step guide to building a museum-worthy shadow box, including how to replace those missing digital tickets.

Step 1: Gather Your "Artifacts"

A shadow box tells a story. Before you buy the frame, scour your house for:

• Wristbands: Tyvek or cloth festival bands are perfect for adding color.

• Confetti: Did the artist blast confetti during the finale? (Taylor Swift fans, we’re looking at you).

• Merch Tags: Don't throw away the hang-tag from your tour shirt; it often has the tour logo on it.

• Setlists: If you were lucky enough to grab one from the stage.

• Guitar Picks: The holy grail of concert souvenirs.

Step 2: Solve the "Missing Ticket" Problem

The centerpiece of any concert display should be the ticket. It provides the context: the Date, the Venue, and the Seat. Without it, a pile of confetti is just trash in a box.

If you attended a mobile-entry event, you can use Ticketrelic to generate a high-quality replica stub.

• Design Tip: You can customize the color of your replica ticket to match the aesthetic of your room or the album cover of the tour.

• Sizing: Ticket Relic offers standard sizes that fit perfectly into standard shadow box layouts.

Step 3: The Layout (The "Collage" Technique)

Don't just dump everything to the bottom. Use the "gravity-defying" method:

1. Background: Buy a piece of black or velvet cardstock for the backing.

2. Mounting: Use acid-free mounting tape or glue dots.

3. Layering: Place the larger items (like the Ticket Relic stub or a tour flyer) in the back. Layer smaller items (wristbands, guitar picks) in the front to create depth.

Step 4: To Seal or Not to Seal?

You have two options for the frame itself:

• Top-Loading (The "Piggy Bank" Style): These frames have a slot at the top. You literally drop items in after every show. It’s casual and fun, watching the level rise over time.

• Front-Loading (The "Museum" Style): These open from the front like a cabinet. This is best if you want to pin items in specific places and keep them organized.

Step 5: Protect from the Sun

The biggest enemy of memorabilia is UV light. It fades thermal paper (old tickets) and bleaches fabric.

• Pro Tip: Ticketrelic stubs are printed on high-quality archival stock, meaning they are far more resistant to fading than the cheap receipt paper printed at the box office.

Building a shadow box is the best way to get your memories out of your phone and onto your wall. Don't let a "mobile-only" policy stop you from celebrating the music you love.