Faux Butterflies Specimen Shadow Box Display Using Mic Moc PET Tapes
April 27, 2026
Butterfly specimen displays have long been a beloved staple of vintage-inspired interiors, evoking the charm of old curiosity cabinets, natural history museums, and the romantic aesthetic of an antique Victorian collector's study. Whether arranged in shadow boxes or framed behind glass, these displays bring a sense of wonder and timeless elegance to any wall.
Now, you can recreate that same enchanting look without the fuss, thanks to Mic Moc PET Tapes. Our Museum Archives 2 and The Naturalist PET tapes feature exquisitely illustrated butterfly, fungi, and botanical specimen motifs, inclusive of realistic-looking curator notes which make the perfect materials for crafting your very own faux specimen shadow box display. With just a little creativity and our tapes in hand, you can bring that vintage natural history aesthetic to life on your walls, beautifully and almost effortlessly!
Why Butterfly Specimen Displays?
The art of entomological display has captivated collectors and nature lovers for centuries. Pinned butterfly specimens, carefully labelled and arranged under glass, were once the pride of Victorian naturalists and explorers. Today, that same aesthetic has found its way into modern interiors — gracing gallery walls, study nooks, and bedroom shelves with a sense of curated, scholarly beauty. The good news? You don't need to source real specimens or invest in expensive framing to achieve this look. With the right materials and a little patience, you can create something just as striking.
Materials You'll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Prepare Your Backing
Cut your aged paper or kraft card to fit snugly inside your shadow box frame. This will serve as the backdrop for your specimen display, mimicking the look of an old museum mounting board. For an extra vintage touch, you can lightly tea-stain the paper beforehand and let it dry completely.
Step 2 — Plan Your Layout
Before applying any tape, lay your shadow box flat and plan where you'd like each specimen to sit. Mix and match motifs from Museum Archives 2 PET tape and The Naturalist PET tape: take your pick from the assortment of butterflies, fungi, pressed botanicals, and shell images which all work beautifully together. Aim for an asymmetric, curated arrangement rather than a perfectly symmetrical grid, as this feels more authentically 'collected'.
Step 3 — Cut and Apply Your 'Specimens'
Trim out each image of your choice from the tape and adhere to a sheet of clear transparency. Then carefully cut out the individual specimen motifs from the transparency. Don't forget to smooth out any air bubbles with your fingertip or a soft cloth.
As these Mic Moc PET tapes are clear-backed, the illustrations appear to float on the surface once you pinch and make a crease down the middle of the butterfly wings at its centre. (The folded wings make them appear more life-like as if they were authentic butterfly specimens). Adhere a thin, tiny strip of double-sided foam tape in the centre of the wings then peel off the tape to attach each specimen firmly onto your backing paper.
Step 4 — Add Curator Labels
Many of the motifs on Museum Archives 2 and The Naturalist already include printed curator-style notes with scientific specimen names so they look wonderfully authentic. If you'd like to add your own, simply handwrite on tiny vintage labels in fine pen and tuck them beneath each specimen.
Step 5 — Frame and Display
Once you're happy with your arrangement, carefully place the backing into your shadow box and secure the frame. Hang it on your wall, prop it on a shelf, or group several together for a full gallery-wall effect. The result is a stunning, conversation starting display that looks like it belongs in a natural history museum, except it's been made entirely with PET tapes!
Tips for the Best Results
- Use a mix of tape widths for variety — the 60mm Museum Archives 2 tape works beautifully for larger centrepiece specimens, while the 30mm The Naturalist tape is perfect for smaller accent pieces.
- Try layering motifs slightly overlapping for a more dynamic, collected feel.
- This makes a wonderful handmade gift — personalise the label notes for a truly special touch.
We'd love to see your finished shadow box displays! Follow + tag us on our Mic Moc Instagram @micmoc_shop to share your creations with our creative community! Happy crafting! 🦋
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