The Framers Forum

Hi all,

Having managed to find retail premises in my own town I am now faced with a number of issues that I need to resolve fairly quickly.

1) Is it possible to take a straw poll on how many suppliers framers use for mountboard and mouldings. I am looking at two at the moment but I am aware that one of them has come in for some bad press recently over certain claims pertaining to mountboards. Any comments? NB I intend to use only Conservation board and frame to Commended level and above.

2) I am I right in thinking that there is some consensus on using chop and minimising the number of mouldings kept in stock?

3)Pricing was discussed in another thread earlier this year. A number of people have told me that they will not use my nearest competitor because he is too expensive, I thought his prices were quite reasonable! Does anyone know which edition of Art Today had the pricing articles in, as I am going to have to look at this very carefully?

4) I don't yet have any means for dry mounting. How urgently should I consider getting some means of doing this?

Better not make the list too long. All replies gratefully received.

Regards

Les Sutherland aka less

Less
Always bear in mind your minimum order - spread your orders around and they get a bit thin - you will then pay a carriage charge. You can often negotiate a discount if you stick with a supplier for - say mountboard.

I use chop - have done for years and wouldnt change the way I do it - most framers would laugh at the amount of moulding I keep in stock - about 20 lengths - most of thats black hockey.

Pricing is a thorny issue - work out the cost - people will always say that Fred Bloggs down the road is expensive - until you open up - then you will be expensive - worst thing a customer can say to me is " that was cheap I expected it to cost more" You have to make a living so dont go in too cheap - remeber that your customers are paying for a high quality job - get it right and they will tell their mates as well as use you again and again. I sometimes wonder where some of my customers find the space to hang all the pictures Ive framed for them.

Dry mounting isnt all its cracked up to be - You can always farm it out if its realy neccesary - you can get good results with adhesive sprays and self adhesive boards. - more work is ruined in a dry mounting press than at any other point in the workshop.

Hope that helps - Good luck.