Framing panoramas

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T

tgfu408

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Aug 30, 2001
Posts
128
Loc
Knoxville TN
We frame a lot of these Rob Arra and Everlasting Images panorama pieces--13" by 32" long

Usually, we stick them into a #15 profile OEM black/contrast gray Nielsen that we buy by the boxload and make decent money.

BUT--now I can buy a wooden Studio Moulding for a little less than #15 profile metal, and because they ship in this area freight free with orders over $100 we're considering it. It's a 3/4 " black square profile.

I've done time studies (I have a chronograph for a watch) and discover tht metal ain't too time efficient by the time you saw, put the metal thingies n, etc etc. vs. sawing a little wood and v nailing.

So here's my question, group: do you think the wood is a better match for these wide panoramas? More durable? I also find the metal has a tendency to bow under certain conditions--the art too long or too tall, etc etc.

And these are students wanting stuff for their dorms. It isn't like we're doing high end here.

Any input would be appreciated.

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Michael LeCompte CPF
 
Mike- Do a time honored exercise in market research. Frame up a dozen; 6 wood and 6 metal. See which sells better.

For the record we sell a bunch of these (but I think they are 39" long) and we always do them in pairs to maximize the glass and foamboard, and we use OEM 5.

Run a test and see what your market decides, or maybe offer both all the time
 
I used to frame a lot of these from the Long Skinny Picture Company of Irvine, CA. We used either Neilsen #93 or #97 contrast grey and an 8-ply warm white mat...it suited them nicely and added some attractive price points
smile.gif


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Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF
22 years framing and still loving it!
The website for my new company is: www.La-Belle-Epoque.com
 
I just plain don't like metal. I know, I know, quick and easy, good money, etc. But just me... I don't like metal. Not real, not "earthy".

As a woodworker friend once told me, "If it ain't wood, it ain't good!"

Betty
 
The easiest answer is that it ain't about what you like, it's what your customer likes. Offering a wider selection is just plain good business. Can you imagine Baskins-Robbins with only 6 flavors. It's all about choice.
 
Mike,

I think I know the Studio moulding you mean. 26901, is it? Used to use it a lot as a low cost option, costs about the same or a little less than the low-end metal, and has a higher perceived value.

I like the idea of trying a little market research. Do a few in metal, a few in wood and see what sells better.

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Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." William Morris (1834-1896)

[This message has been edited by FramerDave (edited October 18, 2001).]
 
Not to insult anyone, but I cannot imagine either #5 or #11 metal having the "body" to support large works as these, particular when loaded with glass.

Yeah, the Crescent gray and black eight ply looks killer on these, but my audeince in these packages are college students so money is an issue.

The Studio is, in fact, 26901; just a few minutes ago customer came in and picked hers up and said she preferred the wood

OK--I'm off to do two in metal and two in wood and we'll see which ones are preferred

Thanks to all for your input into this.

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Michael LeCompte CPF
 
Looking at choices in this case, do any of you offer matte laminate in addition to glass? The laminate is light which is good with small mouldings and the rich colors without reflection seems to attract some customers. Also a good choice for students and young people that are mobile as there is no glass to break. Some customers do perceive less value when they pick them up because they are not as heavy as the glass versions. I am thinking about trying laminate on all our framed poster offerings instead of glass. Any thoughts on this idea?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John Gornall CPF:
I am thinking about trying laminate on all our framed poster offerings instead of glass. Any thoughts on this idea?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Similar to your situation possibly, we have a university in our area and selling without glass is quite common, we laminate or use the spray on finishes from Krylon with good results. This certainly helps to sell the lower end of the range as mobility is important for students and being careful is not always welcomed.

With long skinny pictures we will use wood and brace the centre for support.
 
Not to insult anyone either, but "Are You Kidding Me"? Nielsen 5 won't support about 8lbs of glass? Then we brace something like that with a wooden brace? Maybe you ought to ask Nielsen for the tech specs on this product vs the OEM 15. I think this is another case of an overzealous framer justifying why they don't wish to use something that "cheap".

The product works fine and offers a moderate price point to that segment of the market that wishes to pay no more. You are certainly justified to carry and sell only those products that you feel represent your philosophy and your store. But don't try and justify why "We Won't do it" on some higher moral plane or misguided technical information. I'll bet millions of feet of 5 profile are sold on posters just like this.

Don't be afraid to market to that segment that only needs a simple low cost metal frame. It is perfectly acceptable, and you know what? When that student grows up and purchases nicer framing, he just might remember that you took care of his needs when he was at a different economic level.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bob Carter:
Then we brace something like that with a wooden brace.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

??? The frame is wood Tiger
 
That's even more amazing, Lance, that you would use a product so ill-suited for framing this size that it requires a brace. Why don't you just use a product that will support the item in the first place. If I'm not mistaken, that's exactly why metal frames took off. Clients wanted a thin clean line for posters that had a high level of strength and a lot of framers kept trying to put them into wooden frames that were too small to support the item.

For the record we use the same series from Studio (26901 etc) but don't recommend them for anything larger than 16x20 and use them primarily on needleart where they want a wide range of colors at super cheap prices. I'd be a lot more afraid of that small a wooden frame (3/4") supporting a 13" x39" piece. We use the 370 series for these panoramas. But, hey, it's just our preference. We frame hundreds in the 5 Neilsen and it works great.
 
I am aware that you all have aluminium as a cost effective product there, not so in NZ it is available to us only as a chop and at a very high cost comparatively and also in a very small range (Neilson 15 and 150 profiles). Bob our ability to use a product succesfully is called skill, if we are able to create a product for our clients that works for the long term when others are unable to do so it creates a niche that we are able to fill.

Your statement that the product is so "ill-suited" that it requires a brace stuns me Bob, please do not try to lower me to your childish level.
 
".. to use a product successfully is called skill...
Creates a niche that we are able to fill."

The remainder of this discussion will be conducted ENTIRELY in rhymed couplets.

Thank you.
 
The market research part is right on the money. Just last week I was in a frame shop in a very small town. Population less than 1000. The frame shop was about 12'x20' with a 10'x10' work area. Very rural, very seasonal. The framer had the same print framed good, better, best. Metal to wood, no mat, to a nice triple with fancy corners. I asked her how this scenario played out. She stated that 9 out of 10 customers come in looking for the good scenario. 5 out of the nine end up with the better scenario and the 3 usually go to the better scenario. Improves her margins by about 35%. She said that prior to her examples, 6 our of 10 chose the good scenario. The same should work for the metal to wood. I'm afraid I agree with Bob, an OEM would be tough to support a piece this size without support. Same goes for many plastics which would also give you the upgraded look for similar costs.

John
 
If you have a paper United catalog, go to page 94. See Albin Frame Support Systems. United item numbers 4879, 4880, 4881, 4882 and 4883.

If I have read this thread correctly, these nifty devices will solve the aforementioned problems. If you don't have a paper catalog, click on the United logo and enter the item numbers.
 
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