Contract Framer Reconmend

[Sinerva10]

Hi

I frame at home as a hobby , but wish to upscale without the stress. I'm looking for reconmend contract scale framers were I could buy stock frames 20mm black and 20mm white , in about 4 standard sizes with Acrylic and optional mount.

I want a better quality frame than those " cheap" imports but not increase cost significantly.

Hope someone has had experience in this area. Advice also would be nice on the do and don't with this option.

Thanks all in advance.

Mike

[Justintime]

Hi Mike,
Cheap imports serve a purpose. Produced in factories by the thousands, joined by machines without glue and supplied with a mount and acrylic glazing.
So you want that but for the sameish price, smaller quantities and slightly better quality?

[Sinerva10]

Thanks George , I wanted advice ! Not an arrogant monologue ... wasn't worth the effort.

[Tudor Rose]

I think Justin made a good point and it certainly didn’t come across as an arrogant monologue.

[Sinerva10]

Thanks.. but does he not think i already know aboiut cheap imports , that was exactly my question " where can I get contract UK frames made in bulk of a higher quality , i stated in my question willing to pay more at no point did I suggest I was expecting the same cost .. but as a buisness and therfore profit cost is an important aspect.. But just to reply without answering the question seems a bit like a troll.

[Justintime]

Your right, it wasn't helpful. I'm just confused by the business model.
A quick Google search brings up
https://www.frames.co.uk
https://www.tradepictureframes.co.uk/
https://www.best4frames.co.uk/
https://www.hamptonframes.com/
I hope that's more helpful. Good luck.

[Sinerva10]

Thank you will take a look... as i said my post was posted under Help section.. rather than buisness advice.

[JFeig]

Hi

I frame at home as a hobby , but wish to upscale without the stress. I'm looking for reconmend contract scale framers were I could buy stock frames 20mm black and 20mm white , in about 4 standard sizes with Acrylic and optional mount.

I want a better quality frame than those " cheap" imports but not increase cost significantly.

Hope someone has had experience in this area. Advice also would be nice on the do and don't with this option.

Thanks all in advance.

Mike

So you want to do all this without any stress. All business operations involve stress.
I have attached your original quote, Mike, because you need to understand the supply chain process of operating a business vs a "home hobby".
There is a big difference in upscaling a hobby vs transitioning into a full blown business. I do not know your history and it is of no concern to me. I worked as a corporate investigator to 2 major retailers before I got into this business. At one time I reviewed suppliers activities.

In order to purchase from most of these vendors you will have to most likely have to purchase more than just a few frames of each size as well as have a trade address vs your home or even fill out an application to conduct business with them. Can you give them trade references? Do you have any idea in an annual volume that you will provide them? You have not identified what type of source you are currently using(no need for that actual name or names).
Second, purchasing half a dozen empty frames with glazing in a craft shop or a local picture frame distributor is totally different from dealing with a manufacturer. Then there is the cost of manufacturing domestic labor vs Asian products imported by the container. The equipment today used to make these "cheap" imports can make hundreds of frames per hour. A domestic supplier might have some automated equipment; but, will most likely demand significant order sizes and commitments. The costs of what you want(better quality and domestic) will be significantly higher. There is YouTube video of a Chinese manufacture of equipment producing over 1,000 frames per hour, all the same. They also have a saw that can cut the moulding just as fast.
I have been there and done that with several products using my knowledge of vendors and accounting.

[vintage frames]

Sinerva10 asks a pretty legitimate question.
How to buy in pre-made stock frames which would be of better quality than the usual imports.

My own advice would be for him to buy in the glazing, mounts and backing boards pre-cut from a variety of sources. Then approach a local framer who could supply fixed quantities of frames for a 'whole-sale' price competitive with some of the larger outfits who, as Feig suggests, might be a bit more difficult to deal with when it comes to smaller orders.
This is something a framer could do during quiet periods when all they have to do is cut and join, with the measuring stops already set at a fixed point.
Mind you, this is best done using a double-mitre saw.
The only challenge then would be to source a supply of moulding at a workable price.

I used to have a contract business myself. We cut and joined the mouldings but bought in everything else pre-cut. Then it was just assembly and packaging.

[Sinerva10]

Thanks for advice.. all taken on board