The Framers Forum

Hello I'm Mike
I'm a framer and printmaker based in Manchester. I've been working for other framers around Manchester for a little while but I'm reaching the point where I'm not learning much about framing outside of how the specific company I work for does things. So I've recently decided to set up on my own. I was wondering if I could pick your collective brains?

I've been asking people I've worked with up to this point if it's worth doing courses in framing either through the Fine Art Trade Guild or other organisations. The responses I've had have been varied to say the least. Some have said it's a waste of money and others have said it's essential. What are other people's opinions on this?

Look forward to hearing your advice and guidance.

Mike.

My two pennyworth would be to definitely get taught. Would you use a dentist, doctor or airline pilot who told you I'm self taught?
But a friend of mine who used to be a trainer in UK and many overseas countries used to say.

Get the the trainer to come you and get taught on your own equipment. Will cost more, but makes much sense
Lets see what the others advise

Keith Hewitt wrote: ↑Wed 16 Apr, 2025 3:23 pm My two pennyworth would be to definitely get taught. Would you use a dentist, doctor or airline pilot who told you I'm self taught?
But a friend of mine who used to be a trainer in UK and many overseas countries used to say.

Get the the trainer to come you and get taught on your own equipment. Will cost more, but makes much sense
Lets see what the others advise

That's useful advise. Thank you Keith.

You obviously don't need a Basic Framer course, so I'd recommend getting in touch with Jon Price at https://pictureframingtuition.uk/ or Jo and Alec at https://theframinglot.co.uk/picture-framing-training/. They're Guild Certified Trainers and so will help you to discover what you do and don't know and correct anything that you might be doing incorrectly.
In my experience there are great framers and terrible framers out there. Which do you want to be?

Not sure I agree with Keith about getting the trainers to come to you. I just don't think it's worth the extra cost. Equipment is equipment wherever it is. I think it's much better value to go to them and enjoy a night or two away in the bargain rather than paying for their travel expenses. They'll be able to show you much more in their own habitat than in yours.

Justintime wrote: ↑Wed 16 Apr, 2025 4:23 pm You obviously don't need a Basic Framer course, so I'd recommend getting in touch with Jon Price at https://pictureframingtuition.uk/ or Jo and Alec at https://theframinglot.co.uk/picture-framing-training/. They're Guild Certified Trainers and so will help you to discover what you do and don't know and correct anything that you might be doing incorrectly.
In my experience there are great framers and terrible framers out there. Which do you want to be?

Thank you for the swift response. I will look into both of these suggestions. On reflection, I would of course like to be a great framer.

hi mike

welcome,lots of info on this site,i found all my questions when i was learning were thoughtfully
answered.There is lots of info online framing ,It can take a while to sort through them, as with
all things there are different opinions.I would say it takes a while to understand all the different
materials, but then i that was just me! good luck.

red wrote: ↑Thu 17 Apr, 2025 10:37 am hi mike

welcome,lots of info on this site,i found all my questions when i was learning were thoughtfully
answered.There is lots of info online framing ,It can take a while to sort through them, as with
all things there are different opinions.I would say it takes a while to understand all the different
materials, but then i that was just me! good luck.

Thank you Red.

Ask yourself what is missing from the places you worked in and see about training - and reading, tailored accordingly

I’d say that conservation, non-adhesive object mounting, needlework/textiles, design, mount decoration with gilding and washlines, deep wrappped and painted bevels …. hand finishing and gilding mouldings - would be good things to concentrate on as some of these things are weak areas for most and all are for some.

You’d be lucky to get all or most of that fromn the same place and definitely not in one hit, but there’s plenty to watch and read online and in books to introduce and/or to follow up.
You’re in a good place here, and another, which totally changed my game, is TFG - The Framers Grumble.

https://www.thegrumble.com/



…

Just to add to JKX's comments, @Gesso&Bolle does a great hand finishing day, very liberating and @vintageframes is the more traditional and gilding Master. Both well worth the travelling. @vintageframes also has an online gilding course https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/videos

JKX wrote: ↑Fri 18 Apr, 2025 11:18 am Ask yourself what is missing from the places you worked in and see about training - and reading, tailored accordingly

I’d say that conservation, non-adhesive object mounting, needlework/textiles, design, mount decoration with gilding and washlines, deep wrappped and painted bevels …. hand finishing and gilding mouldings - would be good things to concentrate on as some of these things are weak areas for most and all are for some.

You’d be lucky to get all or most of that fromn the same place and definitely not in one hit, but there’s plenty to watch and read online and in books to introduce and/or to follow up.
You’re in a good place here, and another, which totally changed my game, is TFG - The Framers Grumble.

https://www.thegrumble.com/



…

Brilliant. Thank you JKX!

Justintime wrote: ↑Fri 18 Apr, 2025 11:47 am Just to add to JKX's comments, @Gesso&Bolle does a great hand finishing day, very liberating and @vintageframes is the more traditional and gilding Master. Both well worth the travelling. @vintageframes also has an online gilding course https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/videos

Thank you again. Please keep them coming if you think of anything else. I'm wondering if I should start compiling a list for other people's reference?