There are several decisions to make when choosing a display case. Here are some questions to help you in making those decisions.

1. Type of Display
   What type of display case do you need?
   Here are some questions that will help you in your decision:
   1. What products and/or how much product do you want to display?
      This will help you determine the size of fixture to order.
   
   
   2. Who is your audience? Primarily Women, Men or Children?
      It is important to consider the height of shelving. Will it be easy for you customer to see the product?
   
   
   3. How do you want to present your product?
      Will the case be against a Wall with viewing from 3 sides or Free Standing with viewing from 4 sides?



2. Style
   What image or atmosphere would you like to present?
   Depending upon your desired look there are several styles from which to choose.
   1. Contemporary – smooth clean lines
   
   
   2. Classic – more ornate with trim molding
   
   
   3. Queen Anne – elegant lines
   
   
   4. Black Museum – modern
   
   
   5. Country or Basic – usually knotty pine or distressed look
   
   



3. Storage and Security
   1. Do you need an area in the case to store product?
   
   
   2. Do you want to lock the case?
   
   
   3. Do you want to lock the storage area?
   
   



4. Material and Finish
   How long do you wish the display case to service you and continue to look good?
   
   "All display cases are not created equally." And you can quote me on that. The durability of a display case depends largely upon the types of materials used. There are a lot of imported display cases that are built with Particle Board (tiny chips of wood held together with resin) and a Melamine paper surface. These display cases are economical but will not last a long time without looking worn.
   
   Display cases that are built to last are produced from hardwoods and hardwood veneers or aluminum frames with MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) with a High Pressure Laminate surface (brand names of Formica, Wilsonart, Pionite, etc.)



5. Lighting
   What type of lighting do you need for the product you are displaying?
   The type of lighting you choose can be dependent upon what you are displaying. Each type of lighting gives off a different color and intensity of light. There is a difference in the initial cost and the cost of operating.
   1. LED – Are available in are available in White and Warm White. Warm White bulbs are used primarily for a soft atmosphere where White LED's are used in display cases to highlight product. The Bright White gives a bright clean look to most products especially jewelry and giftware.
      
      The initial cost of an LED bulb is higher but the life span is 60,000 hours or more compared to 1,000 hours for an incandescent light. The cost of operating is 30 times more efficient. Compare 60,000 hours of LED operation at $20.40 to $612.00 for an incandescent light. The cost savings will pay for itself in a short time. (source www.ledlight.com)
      
      The costs of LED lights are coming down as the volume of users has increased over the years. Besides making product look great, the great cost savings in operating cost another benefit is an LED light gives off virtually little to no heat.
   
   
   2. Halogen – We do not recommend Halogen lighting for one major reason. Heat. Halogen lights get hot enough to burn you and/or melt some products.
   
   
   3. Xenon – Xenon is an alternative to Halogen and puts out less heat. It is available in puck lights but to our knowledge not available in tube lamps.
   
   
   4. Fluorescent – Are available in different color temperatures: a warm sunlight (yellow 3200 Kelvin), a Cool White (4200 Kelvin) to a blue white (5500 Kelvin). To give you a comparison a standard incandescent light is around 2700 Kelvin which is a orange/yellow light. Most gift products and jewelry will display better under a blue white bulb (5500 Kelvin). (source: Wikipedia Kelvin Temperature Chart)