Eric Pause
Artist
New Member
🗨️ 429
👍🏻 1,168
October 2013
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Framing as a Career, by Eric Pause on Jul 15, 2016 20:13:56 GMT 1, I know there are a few framers on these boards, so I’m hoping to gain a little insight into picture framing.
Besides spending a small fortune on getting pieces framed for personal use, I know very little about the framing process. But from afar it’s always seemed like an interesting and possibly fun career to me.
Doing research online, it looks as though the framing business is not a lucrative as it once was, and that it’s basically a labour of love. However, most testimonials seem to really enjoy it. I have a good job now that has absolutely nothing to do with art, but the thought of sitting at a desk job for the next thirty years is making me a tad crazy. And I think a career change is in order. I love art, creating things, and working with tools. And framing seems like it might possibly be a good fit.
I’d like to hear from anyone that has any sort of experience framing. Whether it’s a full-time career for you now, or something you used to do in high-school. How did you get into it? Do/did you enjoy it? Did you go to school for it? Do you get to deal with/talk about interesting art all day? Or is it pretty much just framing diplomas? Really anything you could tell me about it would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
I know there are a few framers on these boards, so I’m hoping to gain a little insight into picture framing.
Besides spending a small fortune on getting pieces framed for personal use, I know very little about the framing process. But from afar it’s always seemed like an interesting and possibly fun career to me.
Doing research online, it looks as though the framing business is not a lucrative as it once was, and that it’s basically a labour of love. However, most testimonials seem to really enjoy it. I have a good job now that has absolutely nothing to do with art, but the thought of sitting at a desk job for the next thirty years is making me a tad crazy. And I think a career change is in order. I love art, creating things, and working with tools. And framing seems like it might possibly be a good fit.
I’d like to hear from anyone that has any sort of experience framing. Whether it’s a full-time career for you now, or something you used to do in high-school. How did you get into it? Do/did you enjoy it? Did you go to school for it? Do you get to deal with/talk about interesting art all day? Or is it pretty much just framing diplomas? Really anything you could tell me about it would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
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avec art
Junior Member
🗨️ 3,727
👍🏻 3,061
March 2014
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Framing as a Career, by avec art on Jul 15, 2016 20:35:06 GMT 1, I've had to learn aspects of framing myself because it becomes so expensive and because framers, no matter how experienced are still human and can mess up. So if anyone is going to make a mistake it'll at least be me.
You don't need to have a framing studio and all the equipment to develop and use aspects of framing. My local Hobby Craft sells simple frames as well as corresponding glass to fit. It's a sort of pick and choose system which can be handy. I'll complete the frame with my own spacers if necessary and then tacks in the back to hold the backboard in place, and finally the application of French tape.
I've also bought an adequate frame at a reasonable price, and changed it a little to suit a particular print. Here is an example. Frame cost me £7 print size is 50 cms x 50 cms I applied transparent spacers to hold the print in place. Then tacked and sealed the backing. It's a sphinx in gold by Kid Acne
I've had to learn aspects of framing myself because it becomes so expensive and because framers, no matter how experienced are still human and can mess up. So if anyone is going to make a mistake it'll at least be me. You don't need to have a framing studio and all the equipment to develop and use aspects of framing. My local Hobby Craft sells simple frames as well as corresponding glass to fit. It's a sort of pick and choose system which can be handy. I'll complete the frame with my own spacers if necessary and then tacks in the back to hold the backboard in place, and finally the application of French tape. I've also bought an adequate frame at a reasonable price, and changed it a little to suit a particular print. Here is an example. Frame cost me £7 print size is 50 cms x 50 cms I applied transparent spacers to hold the print in place. Then tacked and sealed the backing. It's a sphinx in gold by Kid Acne |
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Framing as a Career, by Castle Gallery NI on Jul 15, 2016 21:14:57 GMT 1, One thing i would say is 30 years is a long time to be doing something if you dont really enjoy it, your only here once and if art, creativity etc is what you really enjoy thats the doors you should be looking to open. Obviously in the world we live in we all need to pay the bills and i dont know your personal situation, i was very lucky in the sense that when i started the framing business i was young and i had no dependencys and no mortgage so id nothing to loose if it didnt work out. I started by leaving my job, borrowing some framing equipment on the basis the owner could use the space rather than his garage, renting a cheap large upstairs room in a run down building for £60 a week. It wasnt pretty and wasnt a good location so i hardly got any over the door customers, i had to go through the phone book contacting photographers, artists, interior designers etc and offer low prices to get work, it wasnt easy and didnt pay well but i loved it and was rewarding in the sense that whatever happened was down to what i did. After 9 months i moved to shop front, nothing fancy but visible, the first 3 years i worked 7 days a week, 80-100hrs a week, taking on volume work like 600 mounts/glass/bk/frame for a4 photos and making a pound a frame, hard work but had to be done. It is a labour of love but personally the love wasnt necessarily for framing it was for doing something and trying to move to the next level, i dont enjoy framing standard stuff tbh ie school photos, posters, needleworks etc but i do love framing things that im given free reign on to be creative, thats whats enjoyable and rewarding for me with framing. What does happen is doors start to open around you so who knows what you could end up doing but at least it will be something you enjoy. If you have dependencys/mortgage etc and are worried about leaving your job you could start by doing it from home (while still working or cutting hrs) or a rented space and building return custom with artists etc Practise plenty first, there is framers guilds etc but with the internet all the infos out there, do practise on cheap/replacable stuff, learn as much as possible and practice. I previously worked as a sales person in a framing suppliers company so asked a lot of questions to the framers who came in but id never framed a picture before i took the plunge. Second hand morsos etc can be bought relatively cheaply and last a long time, no need to buy new to start. Talk to as many people as possible, im sure theres framers forums etc. If theres anything i can help with give me a shout
One thing i would say is 30 years is a long time to be doing something if you dont really enjoy it, your only here once and if art, creativity etc is what you really enjoy thats the doors you should be looking to open. Obviously in the world we live in we all need to pay the bills and i dont know your personal situation, i was very lucky in the sense that when i started the framing business i was young and i had no dependencys and no mortgage so id nothing to loose if it didnt work out. I started by leaving my job, borrowing some framing equipment on the basis the owner could use the space rather than his garage, renting a cheap large upstairs room in a run down building for £60 a week. It wasnt pretty and wasnt a good location so i hardly got any over the door customers, i had to go through the phone book contacting photographers, artists, interior designers etc and offer low prices to get work, it wasnt easy and didnt pay well but i loved it and was rewarding in the sense that whatever happened was down to what i did. After 9 months i moved to shop front, nothing fancy but visible, the first 3 years i worked 7 days a week, 80-100hrs a week, taking on volume work like 600 mounts/glass/bk/frame for a4 photos and making a pound a frame, hard work but had to be done. It is a labour of love but personally the love wasnt necessarily for framing it was for doing something and trying to move to the next level, i dont enjoy framing standard stuff tbh ie school photos, posters, needleworks etc but i do love framing things that im given free reign on to be creative, thats whats enjoyable and rewarding for me with framing. What does happen is doors start to open around you so who knows what you could end up doing but at least it will be something you enjoy. If you have dependencys/mortgage etc and are worried about leaving your job you could start by doing it from home (while still working or cutting hrs) or a rented space and building return custom with artists etc Practise plenty first, there is framers guilds etc but with the internet all the infos out there, do practise on cheap/replacable stuff, learn as much as possible and practice. I previously worked as a sales person in a framing suppliers company so asked a lot of questions to the framers who came in but id never framed a picture before i took the plunge. Second hand morsos etc can be bought relatively cheaply and last a long time, no need to buy new to start. Talk to as many people as possible, im sure theres framers forums etc. If theres anything i can help with give me a shout
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iamzero
Full Member
🗨️ 9,190
👍🏻 8,545
May 2011
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Framing as a Career, by iamzero on Jul 15, 2016 21:57:14 GMT 1, I keep being told to make the leap into the framing business but as things stand right now it's not an option... Maybe someday?
I keep being told to make the leap into the framing business but as things stand right now it's not an option... Maybe someday?
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Quinnster
Junior Member
🗨️ 3,635
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January 2006
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Framing as a Career, by Quinnster on Jul 23, 2016 18:08:53 GMT 1, I was thinking about it a few years ago, then work picked up and now I don't have the time....
I was thinking about it a few years ago, then work picked up and now I don't have the time....
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