How I turned worthless scrap into THOU$AND$

[GeneWilliams]

Hi all. I'm so thrilled with our success I thought I'd share with you all. If you're in direct competition with me, read no further. :D

We have made almost five grand in the last 4 months in ready mades! This is how we did it:

We do our regular framing as close to assembly line as we can. All frames cut, then all joined, then all mats cut, etc. While we do this, we cut extra moulding into standard sizes, join them with the custom jobs and set aside. This saves extra saw and joiner setup time. Glass scraps from custom jobs are cut into standard sizes, matboard too. A few summers ago, we cut all our matboard scraps into standards, so I've got a bunch. We mostly use plexi for large jobs, but we order in full sheets, so we can use that too. How often do you use plexi on a 16 x 20? I hardly ever do. Anyway, by making the individual components at the same time as we do the custom stuff, we create stock that can be pulled together quickly instead of saying "we're going to stop production for two days to make ready mades."

We put the frame, glass, two scrap mats (one for backing) a sawtooth hanger and (this is the important part) a piece of paper printed on our laser that has our logo and the size of the frame in large print. Then we shrinkwrap the whole thing.

We have two large bins that we've placed under our hanging walls (dead space anyway) that we filled with frames. They are priced 14.99, 24.99, 34.99, 44.99, 54.99 and 64.99. This is to make my life easy. We decide the price regardless of what the moulding costs, but on how much it "looks like it's worth." Then, we have a buy one get 2nd half off. Sounds cheap huh?

Here's the cool thing. Most people do not just take them and run out the door, only about 20% have. People want us to cut the mat inside ($4.00) and fit the finished piece ($12.00). We don't give discounts on the labor, so they may take one frame for 44.99 and the other for 34.99 minus 50%, but they pay 32.00 for two mats and fits. We've had a couple of customers bring in art for ten or more ready mades, making their orders pretty sizeable.

I know many will talk about margins and all that, but like Bob Carter says "what's the gross margin on a no-sale?" Or something like that... :D One thing is for sure, hundreds of five foot sticks in my back room is worthless, as is hundreds of quarter sheets of matboard!

I hope this is useful to someone....

Gene Williams, CPF
Mitre & Bevel

[lindas3]

Thanks for a really great idea, Gene! We usually don't cut moulding but we do have some materials that need assembled and the shrink wrap idea will make it look more professional. I learn something new or am reminded of something I forgot everyday thanks to all you grumblers. smile.gif

Linda

[JFeig]

Welcome to the world of being a business person as well as a craftsman.

You are processing your "scrap" into a complete package at set price points. Very efficient.

We have done this piece meal for many years. The components are placed in separate stacks (bins) except for glass which is kept in the workroom for safety. A 8' double sided gondula with a end for frames, another 8' wall gondula for precut mats (ovals, rectangles, special cuts, multi openings)and precut plex. We too have low end customers and artists who will mix and match or purchase only one product.

By the way I can cut about 100 8x10 mats per hour with my CMC.

It has been our found money for many years.

[ 10-27-2003, 10:58 PM: Message edited by: JFeig ]

[katman]

We do something like this on a smaller scale. We don't call the material "scrap," it's called profit. I like the buy one get one 50 percent off idea and I'm going to start doing it right away!

[Framing Goddess]

I do it in much the same fashion as Gene. I do, however, price according to the cost of the particular moulding. I have seen folks not even bat an eye at buying a $150.00 frame if it is sexy enough. I price the open back ready mades at 50-80% of the custom ordered/made price. Every other component is "a la carte" as I say. This is a nice money maker for us, as well. It is a great boost to traditionally slow months, like February. I also promote them via postcards to regular customers with a two for one deal. The last time I promoted it this way, we grossed about $4500.00 during the month of the sale just for the frames and add-on stuff. And I agree with Gene that over 80% get the add-ons.

edie the yalloughtatryittoo goddess