How to become a Picture Framer
Picture framers make frames of all types and sizes and mount and display decorative items such as paintings, prints, etchings, tapestries and photographs.
Personal requirements for a Picture Framer
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Good interpersonal skills
- Interested in the history and value of artwork
- Aptitude for design
- Appreciation of changing trends in colours and materials
- Able to work neatly and accurately
- Good hand-eye coordination.
Duties & Tasks of a Picture Framer
Picture framers may perform the following tasks:
- Talk to customers about the style, size, materials and cost of their framing requirements
- Help customers to understand the colours, design and layout of frames
- Assess the value and physical condition of artwork to decide the level of framing required
- Order the materials needed and maintain accounts
- Cut frame pieces to size and prepare joints for corners
- Join the frame with nails, glue or dowels and sand lightly
- Mould and glue ornamental parts into the frame if required
- Varnish, stain or paint the frame
- Mount backing materials and the item for framing
- Cut glass to size
- Fit items to ready-made frames
- Refer to specialists such as conservators to assess the physical condition of artwork
- Assist in the preservation of historic artwork.
Working conditions for a Picture Framer
Picture framers use a variety of tools, including power tools, saws and pneumatic staplers and nailers. Specialist framers use the crafts of wood machining, wood finishing, French-polishing, cabinet making, woodcarving and gilding.
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