Tools of the Trade
How we build your custom frame job
Have you ever thought about what goes into building your custom framing? Once the design process is done, we determine what needs to be ordered, which is most of it, since we are a custom frame shop. We regularly order from about 16 different suppliers. Two of those deliver weekly. The others have to ship their product to us. As the materials for your order come in, we record them in our production software. Once everything is here, it shows up on our production log based on the estimated due date. When your order is next in line, the framing begins. Take a look at all of the equipment we use to build your custom frame job.
This is our drymount press. If you come in with a concert poster that’s been stuffed in your closet for years and is creased, this machine can make it look almost new. This should not be used on anything of great value, like fine art.
Approximate Cost $10,000
If you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you may have met The Wizard in action a few months ago. This is our mat cutter. If there is a mat in your frame design, this is our computerized mat cutter that cuts the opening, whether its rectangular, an arch for your wedding photo or a custom mat design to really accentuate the lines in your artwork.
Approximate Cost $22,000
Our chop saw is used to cut your moulding into to the exact size of the 4 sides of your frame.
Approximate Cost $5,000
We have two different pieces of equipment that we use to join the 4 sides of your frame. This one is called an underpinner, which is like joining the corners with staples from underneath. This is the most common method.
Approximate Cost $5,000
For hardwood frames, we use a Hoffman router, which is like a jig. It looks like it has a dove tail under in each corner when we are done.
Approximate Cost $4,000
If your framing includes a fillet or a liner, the guillotine is a quick, simple machine for cutting your them to size. Many frame shops use this type of machine for all of their chopping needs, but since we have a motorized chop saw, we use this one sparingly.
Approximate Cost $2,000
And finally, our glass cutter which also cuts the foamcore that we use a a backer for your framed piece. That’s it for our major framing equipment, although due to the many custom projects that Dan does, we have quite a few pieces of woodworking equipment that most custom framers do not have.
Approximate Value $2,500
One size does not fit all…
Every frame shop is unique. We all have different equipment, depending our skill, workload, specialty and cash flow. Imagine having to learn to use each of these. It takes most employees about a year to become proficient in our shop, so when customers tell us they are going to build their own frame because framing is too expensive, we wish them all the best. We work hard to create a custom, quality product for you. We want you to love it.