New Framing Company HELP!!

[BluffBill]

Looking to set-up a new framing company hoping you guys can give me a wishlist of everything i need, i don't mind spending the money so i have the best rather than small scale. I've potentially secured the contracts for a number of local photographers etc

any help will be much appreciated!!!!!

[prospero]

Hi and Welcome BluffBill.

Well first of all, your question leads me to believe that you have little or no experience of actual hands-on framing.

If this is the case, rather than splash out on lots of new equipment it would be wiser to invest in training course first. After that you will know exactly what you need.

I apologise if that comes across as a little condescending, but it's sound advice.

[Roboframer]

I'll second that and this is about 50 mins from you, http://www.downschoolofpictureframing.co.uk/. Also a forum member - http://theframersforum.com/memberlist.p ... ofile&u=18

[stevebowen]

Definately good advice on the training.

Also visit the Spring Fair in Birmingham (Begining of Feb)
You will find the large suppliers there and will be able to try out a lot of the machinery.

Once you have had the training, sit down and work out a business plan for what you are trying to do.

For example, underpinners all do basically the same job and a foot operated one is perfectly good for making custom frames, but if you are making 100+ frames a day, you will definately benefit from an air operated one.

I use many deep rebate mouldings and find the moulding clamps invaluable on the Morso EH but for many mouldings, the standard morso would the the machine of choice.

Are you making frames in set sizes?
If so you can buy the glass and mounts & backs precut from Solid Glass or other suppliers.
You can then buy the mountcutter / guillotine at a later date

In summary, go for some training then talk to as many people as possible as we will all have our favourite machinery set ups and there is no compensation for trying out the machines in person.

Best regards
Steve

[Graysalchemy]

I agree with the above about going on a training course and going to the spring fair.

But before you really start you need a bit of a business plan and do your research. You will need to look at which sector you are going to service this influence what equipment you buy. Are you going to be framing from home, a gallery high street or commercial from an industrial premises, or is it a bolt on to an existing business. You need to seriously look at how you are going to attract customers as obviously not wanting to point out the obvious, they are the life blood of your business. A business plan and assessment of the market place are vital before you start thinking of getting trained or buy any equipment.

With regards to equipment the spring fair will be the place to see what is available, but be warned everyone will be after your business. Never order on the day these deals will usually be available for a few months after the show and in any case in this trading environment deals are always possible. Second hand equipment is always an option but don't buy of flea bay or a commercial framer as it will be cream crackered. Buy from a reputable wholeseller or from some one like Neil Stout Framingengineer.com he will be at spring fair and he may be worth speaking to for impartial advice.

Finally before you commit to anything take a good hard look at everything and make sure that this is what you want to do and that it will give you the return that you need, things are tuff out here for everyone.

Good Luck

[Nigel Nobody]

Finally before you commit to anything take a good hard look at everything and make sure that this is what you want to do and that it will give you the return that you need,

I agree with all the points made and especially this one. It's important to know that it is quite likely that after you have done your training and bought lots of expensive equipment you will be taking a pay cut and it may last for a long time!

[Custard]

I'd make three points,

1. The trend in photography is for bigger and bigger prints and wider "gallery" style mount margins, possibly because large format ink jet printers are getting more affordable and photographic exhibitions are becoming more popular. Of the three key pieces of equipment (mitre cutter, underpinner, and mount cutter) the mount cutter is the one that will hit the size limit first. I regret buying a 48" mount cutter rather than a 62" version because I'm having to turn away business (mainly fine art photography and map mounting). So I'd suggest you discuss with your prospective photographer clients the maximum print sizes they require, add on a healthy mount margin and base your decisions on that.

2. Framing isn't a highly profitable business. Most people are understandably a bit coy about disclosing their financial details, but I'd agree with Nigel and guess that the majority (not all but the majority) earn less than £25,000 after all expenses. And many newcomers to the business earn considerably less. I freely confess that I rather play at framing, I took early retirement and frame from a home workshop and ease off in the summer months to enjoy the good weather. But still, I operate in a very wealthy market town, have an efficient and spacious workshop, charge a decent price, I'm pretty good at drumming up business in the winter months, and I keep a tight commercial grip on the business. But even so I only net about £12-15,000 a year from framing. Keeps me happy, but if you've a family and big mortgage you should realise that framing isn't a license to print money. Consequently you should buy good quality kit from respected names (Morso, Fletcher, Keencut, Cassese, Alpha etc) but try and buy second-hand where ever possible, and look to save money on all the extras, for example by building your own benches and restricting your inventory of mount board and mouldings. It'll take quite a while before you're earning enough to pay back the investment on a state-of-the-art workshop.

3. Basic framing isn't particularly complex, but there's as much money in all the peripheral parts of framing (3D objects, oil paintings, or fabric framing for example) as there is in the basic photos, prints, and water colours. In fact I'd guess that as internet framing grows it'll eat away at the simple stuff, leaving the local framer with the more challenging jobs. So I'd recommend that before giving up your current occupation you try and acquire as many different framing skills as possible. That way you'll be able to take on a wide range of jobs from the get-go, plus you'll provide a quality service that will enhance your reputation, and you'll do it without money flying out the door as you're trying to establish yourself in a new business.

Best of luck!

[Gesso&Bole]

I agree that many Framers do not earn a lot of money. BUT as Custard says above, he is happy with that, and 'plays' at the business.

There is absolutely no reason why Framers cant earn a decent living, and I find it irritating that there is so much negativity on this point from forum members in general.

Like any industry, the amount you earn will depend on how good you are, how hard you work, and how you approach your business. Let's face it, there are pictures on the wall of virtually every building in the developed world - just go out and grab your share of it!

The secret is that you set up a business that will fit in with your financial aspirations, and your work/life balance. If that means £12k a year for a part-time business, that's fantastic. On the other hand, if you are running a full-time professional, properly funded,established, business, and your remuneration is not £30-40,000, or at least heading towards that, then I would respectfully suggest that you are selling yourself short.

[Ceebee]

I am in the same position as yourself , in my case the framing is PART of a business plan aimed at the growing craft market. My reasons for the decision are that I have less financial commitment now my daughter is 24 (and that "I need a deposit for a lovely flat" question has been answered so that's not going to bite ) and I am prepared to take a cut now to maintain a more stable income in 8 years time when I retire and to maintain my health. My mortgage will soon be paid off and I have enough to 'tide me over' . You may be a younger person with the attendant ambitions so my answers may be less relevant but I offer this advice.
- Arquadia sent me a start up plan on request which includes advice on business planning. Really useful.
- Framers equipment have been keen to help , they admit they want an order but that's business and what I would expect , and have suggested a visit and booking a training course before I look at used equipment.
- As people leave the business they often want a quick exit , ebay has some interesting prices for older but functioning equipment - I had an offer to purchase what was basically a workshop set up including Morso guillotine etc and some mouldings for £600 after an enquiry but let it pass for various reasons - and that would be Pay on collect so you know what youre getting.

Like others I would advise you to make sure you know what you're going to do and likely income after expenses any business is hard work for little gain in the start. If it meets your needs then talk to suppliers and ask for advice , if they dont reply ignore them ! Finally get training , choose your equipment then get the best price. And remember all businesses are basically the same - you need to find a market, get the orders and ensure that you get enough money back after costs (including paying for equipment , if its from your savings it still has to justify the loss of personal wealth to make it worthwhile) to reward you for your efforts, as someone said earlier the internet tends to lead to a 'race to the bottom' for commodity items such as basic framing of prints and you will need to have some unique selling point to justify your higher costs. Sorry if this is common sense to you , dont mean to patronise.
I am now at the stage of contacting the bank about a business account , i.e what each bank gives me to make me choose them and I will then talk to suppliers and get a training course , I can then begin to work reduced hours at my employer to spend time setting up if it all seems worthwhile.
Hope I havent dampened your enthusiasm , I was where you are now about 2 months ago and hope my experience to date is helpful - trouble is men in particular want to go and buy shiny new toys then work out what to do with them and we all need to put the business first instead.

Cheers ; CJB

[Graysalchemy]

I think that finding a niche and unique selling point is crucial in this day and age. Looking at ebay you see plenty of canvas printing 'companies' for sale, equipment with lists of contacts. Their have been many casualties along the way with the web, People thinking that they just set up a company and the business will follow, reality check It Doesn't.

You will probably have to get a general bespoke framing business set up and making money before you find your niche. I used to have retail framing business which was bolted onto an art materials shop. From this we had requests to make canvases. This eventually lead to a large leisure industry supplier asking for canvases and ultimately framing. When my father retired I closed the shop and set up commercially initially in 1000sq ft of workshop, now I have 4000sq ft to play in.

Things are tuff for everyone and once you have found your niche and business model you have to constantly re evaluate and evolve with changing circumstances. One analogy someone once told me was to think of you business as a green tomato, green tomato's are ripening coming into their prime, as soon as you business is a red tomato it is past its sell buy date and the only way left is the compost heap. By keeping your ideas and business model fresh your tomatoes stay green and your business healthy. Always try and offer new things new mouldings and be open to new ideas and opportunities as they arrive because they will.

Good luck

AG