Owning physical media is more than just the feeling of preserving a copy of your favorite entertainment. Fans of the entertainment media also highly regard movies, music, and video games as art. After all, countless cinematographers, writers, developers, musicians, and general creators pour their creative blood, sweat, and tears into executing a certain vision. If that’s not art, then I don’t know what is. The physical media format is a great representation of that art, much like any canvas painting is for an art collector. Consumers who prefer a collection of cases and discs to line their shelves with also appreciate the artwork on display for the film or album covers.
Steelbooks have extended that desire among collectors with striking artwork that is often colorful and vibrant on a shiny steel surface. It then becomes almost tragic to place an awesome steelbook design on a shelf where the art is hidden and sandwiched between two other Blu-rays. Steelbooks usually feature exclusive artwork that make the purchase of this premium physical format worthwhile for collectors. It’s akin to buying a limited poster print. The only difference is that you’re likely going to frame and hang that movie poster instead of simply tucking it away. Steelbook artwork deserves the same treatment.
Steelbooks deserve to be displayed, not hidden away on a shelf
Turn your steelbook movie collection into thrilling wall art
These days, steelbooks come at a higher cost. So, why not get the most value out of that price by putting these cool pieces of collectible art on display. The method is simple. Exploit the casing’s material (metal) for an easy wall arrangement using magnetic strips. Do you have a movie or entertainment room? A steelbook display on your wall would make a killer addition to the aesthetic. Watching a movie from your steelbook collection is as easy as plucking the movie off the wall, grabbing the disc, and placing the case back on its magnetic strip. A magnetic steelbook wall is both visually-appealing art and functional.
This method of “mounting” steelbooks on your wall for display is not only easy, it’s extremely affordable. Most wall decorations require frames, shelves, and nails. This method only requires magnetic tape, strips, or pads, which you can obtain at Walmart or Amazon with options that range anywhere from $8 to $15 depending on what you prefer or what works best for your specific setup. That’s all you need to hang several steelbooks on your wall. Compare that with the price of nice wall shelves that you can attempt to stand your steelbooks in a front-facing position. You’d be looking at upwards of $20–$80 in addition to the time and nails it’d take for installation.
Setting up your steelbook display
Make sure your selected display area is clean and compatible with adhesives
Not all wall surfaces are made equal, and some are not nearly as conducive to adhesives as others. Magnetic tape strips won’t stick very well to some wallpapers, especially those that are textured. Also, be sure to check the reviews of the different magnetic strip or tape options. You’ll want to make sure you select a product rated highly for adhesive strength, making it capable of holding the weight of the steelbook without compromising the strip’s adhesion to the wall. There are many options that will work, but just because the cost of materials is low, doesn’t mean you should cut corners when it comes to the quality. After all, it’d be rather frustrating to set up an entire wall of steelbooks only to learn that the strips you purchased are starting to fail days after you’ve hung all of your movies.
Once you’ve selected your magnetic product, find a space on your wall to place a strip (or two or three) to affix your first steelbook to. Be sure to wipe down the wall and clean the surface to the best of your ability. You don’t want dust or debris affecting the quality of the tape’s adhesion to the wall. Also, make sure that the wall you’ve selected isn’t one that will be easily bumped into. I also recommend testing a single steelbook before committing to a layout for the entire wall. See how well the steelbook looks in the position you’ve selected, make sure the tape or magnetic pad is holding well, and then figure out the layout or design you want to produce from there. Make sure to include enough space in between each mount. Each steelbook is approximately 5.4 inches (~13.7 cm) wide. If you’re placing them in a gallery-style layout on your wall, you’d probably want to ensure you have at least 1 inch (~2.54 cm) in between each steelbook.
Display your movie collection with pride
Any wall with a movie gallery will make a great conversation starter
As physical media becomes increasingly threatened, it’s up to us physical media collectors to invest in the medium, establishing it as a necessary market for distributors to continue recognizing for years to come. One of the best ways we can do this as consumers is to maximize the value of each purchase. For instance, expand your digital library alongside your physical by purchasing Blu-rays that come with digital copies. And now, I’ve also shared with you a second method. Buy steelbooks that you can display as art with ease. Think about it. If you buy a steelbook that also comes with a digital copy of the film, your disc can be preserved as a back-up copy that you’d rarely have to take off the wall. You’ll also have a wall any movie buff can admire.
