The Framers Forum

Hi all new here and seeking some advice. I produce paintings & prints & canvasesthat going forward will be sold on the likes of ebay and country fairs, generally sporting themed but witha modern twist.

I am looking to frame simply but effectively in black or white with a single or double mount, I have until now been using shop bought frames from a3 up to a1 but the costs are considerable and as I dont want to make my product too premium when postege etc. is added on I need to drop my outgoings.

Question is what is the cheapest way to either source or make the finished frames? Im probably looking to keep it to three main sizes a3/a2/a1 with mount

I have basic electric mitre saws but imagine these would be too clumsy for framework? I am looking to grow my business initially though using sourced frames but ultimately looking to be in a position to produce my own bespoke goods.

any help would be apreciated

Theres plenty of contract framers on here who will give you a good price I'm sure.

Ready mades would be you cheapest way I think, even making them your self you would struggle when you take into account time.

Perhaps you should make you product more unique and exclusive and command a better price. However if you are targeting the ebay market then I think you are on a hiding to nothing as you are always going to be tight on cost unless you can buy in volume but that requires you selling in volume.

Alistair

Welcome Jamie.

My first thought was.... Why frame them anyway? You are in the business of selling paintings and prints. Why not sell your stuff unframed? Fair enough if you are making money off frame sales, but from what you say, it's doesn't appear to be the case. Plus there's all the hassle of postage and packing, etc. If you were selling to the trade, not many folks would want them framed anyway.

As Peter says why not just sell them mounted in standard sizes and let the customer choose a frame to their taste rather than yours. A lot less hassle if you are going to be sending them by post/carrier and brings the price down.

If you seek out a framer who can cut mounts for you on a CMC and you can give them some volume it should not cost you too much

Forget eBay... unless you can undercut those there already.

I've tried and failed miserably. There are people on there selling canvas prints 20" x 30" for £17.99 Delivered! I can't make one for that!

Problem with ebay and Joe Public is that they don't perceive price with quality. All they look for is the cheapest price.

Have you a moulding in mind? better still if you only have 1 or possibly 2. that way any framer you choose can buy in with a bit of volume discount.

Another problem if not local would be glass.... you would have to use acrylic and thats dearer than glass.

Ditto the CMC route too... find a local to do it for you.

thanks all really appreciate your help.

Selling unframed but mounted sounds a good get out especially with the postage costs on heavy frames, my work will be original artwok butI also wish to do cheaper print runs of each piece hence the need to keep costs down and build up an interest on ebay and the like, I am aware of the competiton but with that as you say there is a lot of run of the mill stuff which I am hoping to rise above but intially the lower cost I can achieve will be a help.

I am near to Wigan but travel through my main job at the moment so would be able to order a selction of cnc cut mounts and collect anywhere in the North of England.

Just sell them mounted, but not in A sizes, make them standard sizes where your customer can obtain a wider range of frames in standard sizes.

Make them in these sizes, A1 60x80cm, A2 40x60cm , A3 30x40cm, you will find more frames in these sizes than the A sizes.

Also you can cut down on yor Postage & Packing cost


Steve

CanvasChris wrote:Forget eBay... There are people on there selling canvas prints 20" x 30" for £17.99 Delivered! I can't make one for that!

Problem with ebay and Joe Public is that they don't perceive price with quality. All they look for is the cheapest price.

That's why we have people coming in with a canvas print to have stretched, but you are lucky to find 10mm of spare canvas , so you have to do a gallery wrap or sticking it to board, then they say it's too expensive!

Steve

So I should use that to my advantage if I sell unstretched and stress there is extra canvas to aid the framer, I have seen some sold unstretched I just didnt think it would be as appealing to buyers but I suppose I can offer both.