To start a picture framing business requires a unique skill set that has changed dramatically over the last twenty years.
Picture framers often entered the industry through two main routes. They were either an apprentice who was indentured to a trained and qualified tradesman or they commonly entered the industry through an informal process usually because of an interest in art or woodwork.
The Professional Picture Framers Association offers various certification programs that help improve skills within the industry. In Australia the picture framing industry is still considered a trade and qualified tradespeople employ school graduates or other people interested in a career change as apprentice picture framers. The indentured apprentice is trained over a three-year period that includes both on the job and off the job training. The off the job instruction is usually college based and is taken in 4 week blocks, three or four times per year.
The modern approach to picture framing generally encompasses the custom framing of clients artworks and memorabilia. Frames are chosen and the design is finalized before the job is constructed using modern manufacturing methods and computerized cutting equipment.
In the past the skills of woodwork joinery was a primary skill required by most picture selfie frame. Jobs in a framing workshop would be divided up between highly skilled craftsmen and various other piecemeal workers.
As recently as 20 years ago most frames were hand-made from both the point of milling, machining and finishing frames and the matting borders were manually cut using either a hand-held beveling blade or straight-line mat cutter tools.
Nowadays, we are afforded the luxury of using precision equipment and digital technology to make picture frames, whereas in the past a high level of understanding of traditional woodworking methods was required.
The core competencies required to enter the framing industry are basic, but a full understanding of mathematics and measurement is essential. It also helps to have some understanding of color theory and design. Having a warm personality and an empathy for other people’s situations helps with building rapport and being handy with tools is a benefit as does a desire to logically solve sometimes complex construction issues.
From a customer relationship angle a certain degree of a sanguine or choleric personality is required but often a melancholic or phlegmatic type personality individual suits a role behind the scenes where precision and an attention to detail is required. This is why most picture framing businesses are made up of a partnership between two or more people who can bring the various skills required to the business.
Although picture framing businesses are run byΒ soleΒ operators, they are usually constrained by the owner who is really trying to cover all roles of which some are outside their natural abilities.
If you are considering entering the picture framing industry I would suggest spending a large amount of your time on planning and assessing your strengths and weaknesses.
Once you have an understanding of where you see yourself you can assess the skills or staff that you require to undertake your venture.
Often couples form partnerships with one partner handling the customer and design part of the operation and the other mastering the manufacturing component of the job.
It takes a well-rounded personality to cover the multiple roles required to run a sole framing operation.
When you start a picture framing business it is wise to plan out the roles required even if you are going to perform each of them yourself. Once you have established the different skills required and worked out the definitions of each role you will find it invaluable when it comes to expanding your operation if you can dissect each task into a specific job description.
Even though there are several different skills required and often a new business owner has to perform all of the roles it is far easier once the business is in a position to employ someone else to hand over some of the pre-defined tasks.