Picture framing/print business? Is it a realistic way to earn a living?

[Almostnovelist]

Does anyone know anything about picture framing and prints as a business?

I imagine it's a luxury service that people don't necessarily use when the economy is tough, but for some reason I've become fascinated by the idea of prints and framing as a family business. My partner has a background as an architect but now wants to do something more hands on while and working for himself.

I'm thinking we could promote printmakers and artists in the shop front, whilst having picture framing services as another income stream. I have come across some wonderful printmakers, many of whom sell online, and could also find vintage prints, frame them, and sell directly.

Any picture framers/printmakers out there willing to share their insights on this as a business idea?

My husband has a lot of stuff framed and tbh most of the business has moved online now.

Ourkidmolly yes I can see that being the case, and would have to think about an online presence too.

It's more that I'm wondering if it's an in-demand service or not, what with IKEA doing good quality off the shelf frames. I have paid for a few things to be framed and it does make a difference, but I just don't know how much money there is in it....

I think there is a market for reasonable quality, custom-made frames at reasonable prices.

I have used a website called easyframe a lot - mainly as they have a great website - you can upload a picture of whatever you want framing and see what it would look like with different size/colour/design mounts and frames, then order what you want and they post it to you. It's very reasonably priced.

I have no idea what their margins are though as to how profitable it is... I guess they save on not needing a shop front as it's all online, but some people would want the personal touch I guess.. but then that you end up paying £££ for, whereas easyframe is often less expensive than getting something off the shelf..

I know someone who combined it with photography/weddings etc
( and they were shite)
But that was a long time ago

We've had a few things framed, because they're not IKEA sizes or they're old/antique prints that need careful handling. I've no idea of the profit margin but it is a service we use, I just don't know if we use it enough to make it a viable business for someone - we've probably averaged one thing framed a year over the last few years. If you can combine it with other stuff and don't want to make millions I can see it having potential maybe.

I've used Easyframe type places for cheap stuff - and they're always better than just picking up a frame in a shop - but anything 'important' I would always get framed professionally. Much better to go to the framer and see how different mounts and frames look together with the item.

My framer is always heaving, so there must still be business in it.

I used to work in a gallery shop that did framing on the side. It was very expensive and customers were often not happy with how much it cost. It was in a London suburb and the shop made about £150 a day on greeting cards (long time ago now) and sold odds and ends, the framing wasn’t a big money spinner, much though they wanted it to be. They did get the job of doing a new hotels framing but that was a one off. I think you may need a lot of outlay for timber and card and a fair amount of storage too

Thank you all. What I am thinking of is a kind of studio that offers design services/architecture but also has a kind of shopfront with picture framing and also framed botanical prints and maybe homewares, well made but not ridiculously overpriced. But enough to make a living.

Nice to know about your framer always being heaving whitney168.