Overview
Picture framing is sold per piece, and the moulding plus the mat decides whether the customer feels good about the price
Picture framing is the trade where the customer brings in something they value (a photograph, a print, a degree, a painting, a piece of memorabilia) and wants it presented properly. The work is per piece, and the price varies wildly with the choices: the moulding (wood, metal, painted, gilded), the size, the mat (single, double, museum-grade, conservation-grade), the glazing (standard glass, low-reflective, museum-grade UV-filtering, acrylic), and the mounting (hinged, float-mounted, dry-mounted). A flat 'frame, $80' quote without naming any of those choices leaves the customer overwhelmed when the upsells start at the counter, and the framer loses the chance to talk through the heritage value of doing it right.
QuoteGenio gives picture framers a quoting shape that surfaces every choice. Consultation as the first contact, moulding by brand and finish with the per-foot rate, mat by type and number of openings, glazing by type with the UV-filtering option named, mounting method, hanging hardware, and the labour by piece. Send via WhatsApp or email to the customer with a quick mock-up photo, take payment on collection, and the same record holds the customer's framing history so the regular collector or art-house customer is recognised on the next visit. The work walks out of the shop and stays on the wall for thirty years.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every kind of picture framing business, from solo studio framers to small workshops handling gallery and conservation work.
The problem
The quoting headaches every picture framer knows
Picture framing is per-frame work with moulding, glass, and mount complexity. Without a structured proposal listing each component, customers compare on the cheapest moulding and the conservation work gets lost.
Conservation work absorbed
Acid-free mounts, UV glass, and museum-grade backing are real materials. Bundle into a flat frame fee and customers assume conservation at standard pricing.
Moulding spec not stated
Pine, hardwood, gilded, and aluminium mouldings have very different costs. Without stating the moulding on the description, customers cannot compare.
Large-format absorbed
An A1 frame is 4x the labour of an A4. Bundle pricing flat and the large work eats your day.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A clean workflow for picture framing. Quote moulding, glass, mount, backing, and labour as separate lines. Send via WhatsApp from the studio and convert accepted quotes to deposit invoices on signing.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for framing work
Line items for moulding by metre and grade, glass by type and size, mount and matt by colour and grade, backing, mounting hardware, fitting labour, and gallery contracts as separate lines.
Works from the studio
Build the proposal at the studio after consultation. Branded PDF on every send, public link for customer or gallery acceptance.
Quote in under 5 minutes
Templates for standard A4 photo frame, gallery conservation frame, sports memorabilia shadow box. Each new ticket is a few tweaks from sent.
Track orders and contracts
See which deposits have landed, which mouldings are on order, and which gallery contracts are due for the next batch.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how picture framers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Picture Framers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Picture Framers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Picture Framers job pricing
A rough guide to what picture framers charge for common work. Pricing varies by frame size, moulding grade (pine vs hardwood vs gilded), glass type (standard vs UV vs museum), mount complexity, and conservation requirements. Large-format museum-grade work and elaborate sports memorabilia shadow boxes sit at the top of these ranges.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standard frame (A4, pine moulding, standard glass) | $ 35 - $ 95 |
| Custom frame (A3, hardwood, conservation glass) | $ 95 - $ 280 |
| Large format (A1+, hardwood, museum glass) | $ 280 - $ 850 |
| Conservation glass surcharge (per frame) | $ 25 - $ 145 |
| Mount cutting (custom shape, per frame) | $ 18 - $ 65 |
| Sports memorabilia shadow box (jersey + ball) | $ 280 - $ 850 |
| Gallery contract (monthly batch, per frame) | $ 28 - $ 145 / frame |
Pricing shown in USD as a rough benchmark. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Gallery and artist contracts are the recurring revenue base for picture framers. Quote a monthly batch contract on every gallery customer (typically 5 to 30 frames per month) so the studio has predictable workload between walk-in customers.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use fixed-fee pricing per frame where the moulding, glass, and size are known. Use per-square-metre pricing for large-format and oversized work where labour scales with area. Always quote conservation upgrades as separate line items because customers default to standard without seeing the upgrade.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here is what a clean conservation frame proposal looks like. Moulding, glass, mount, backing, hardware, and labour each visible on the proposal. Gallery customers and conservation-conscious customers comparing framers accept this kind of itemised proposal faster than a flat 'frame' fee.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Custom frame, A2 hardwood, conservation grade
Hardwood moulding (oak, 2.4m total, 40mm wide)
Conservation glass (UV-blocking, A2)
Acid-free mount (custom cut, single window)
Acid-free backing board (rag-style)
D-rings, hanging wire, brass screws
Cutting, joining, fitting labour (1 hour)
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood moulding (oak, 2.4m total, 40mm wide) | 2.4 | $ 28.00 / m | $ 67.20 |
| Conservation glass (UV-blocking, A2) | 1 | $ 65.00 | $ 65.00 |
| Acid-free mount (custom cut, single window) | 1 | $ 35.00 | $ 35.00 |
| Acid-free backing board (rag-style) | 1 | $ 22.00 | $ 22.00 |
| D-rings, hanging wire, brass screws | 1 | $ 12.00 | $ 12.00 |
| Cutting, joining, fitting labour (1 hour) | 1 | $ 75.00 | $ 75.00 |
| Subtotal | $ 276 | ||
| Tax (10%) | $ 27.62 | ||
| Total incl. tax | $ 304 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Conservation glass surcharge, acid-free mount and backing (different from standard), brass screws and D-rings, and the cutting and joining labour. Add these as standard or optional lines so the conservation grade does not silently absorb your margin.
Peer snapshot
How Picture Framers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Picture Framers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
17
Quotes sent per month
49%
Average quote acceptance
5 min
Median time to send quote
$ 304
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Picture Framer jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of picture framers. The same moulding, conservation, and large-format mistakes come up frame after frame. Fix these and your gallery contract base will smooth the studio workload through the year.
Mistake: Moulding grade not stated
Better: State moulding grade (pine, hardwood, gilded, aluminium) on every line. Different mouldings have very different costs and customers comparing on price expect the spec.
Mistake: Conservation glass absorbed
Better: Quote conservation glass as a separate line surcharge. UV-blocking and museum-grade glass is real cost (5 to 10x standard) and customers expect to see it itemised.
Mistake: Mount cutting bundled
Better: Quote mount cutting as a separate line by complexity (single window, multi-aperture, custom shape). Mount work is real labour and should not be free.
Mistake: Large-format priced flat
Better: Use per-square-metre pricing for large format (A1+) where labour scales with size. A1 frames take 4x the time of A4 and the price should reflect that.
Mistake: No deposit on custom orders
Better: Take 30 to 50 percent deposit on custom orders because moulding is cut to spec and non-returnable. State on the proposal.
Mistake: No gallery contract upsell
Better: Quote a monthly batch contract on every gallery customer. Without it, every order is one-off and the gallery drifts to whoever quotes cheapest on volume.
Mistake: No expiry on the quote
Better: Set a 14 to 30 day validity. Moulding and conservation glass pricing moves with import costs. State the validity so old quotes do not bind you to outdated material costs.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote picture framing
Always inspect the artwork before quoting conservation work. A 5 to 15 minute consultation tells you the artwork medium (paper, canvas, photography, fabric), the size, the customer's expectation (decorative vs gallery vs museum), and any specific concerns (light exposure, humidity, longevity). Quote based on what you saw because conservation needs vary by medium.
Itemise moulding by metre and grade, glass by type and size, mount and matt by grade, backing, mounting hardware, and fitting labour as separate lines. Customers comparing across framers compare on moulding grade and glass spec. Quote conservation grade as an optional upgrade on every standard frame proposal because customers default to standard without seeing the option.
Take a deposit on custom orders. Walk-in standard frames can usually invoice on collection. Custom mouldings cut to spec, gilded frames, and large-format work need 30 to 50 percent deposit because moulding is non-returnable. State the deposit and a clear collection deadline (typically 60 to 90 days) on the proposal.
Send via WhatsApp and follow up. Walk-in customers are mostly local; gallery customers compare 2 to 3 framers. The first detailed proposal with moulding grade, glass spec, and conservation options usually wins. Share the public link via WhatsApp, follow up after a few days, and once accepted invoice the deposit and order moulding. Set a 14 to 30 day validity to protect against material price moves.
FAQ
Common questions from picture framers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Per component on the proposal so the customer sees the moulding, glass, mount, and labour breakdown. Total per frame is the sum. Customers comparing on price respect itemised proposals.
Yes. Once your quote is ready, share the public link via WhatsApp. The customer opens a branded PDF on their phone, accepts online, and you have a time-stamped acceptance on file.
Quote conservation glass, acid-free mount, and acid-free backing as separate optional lines on every frame proposal. Customers default to standard but accept conservation when they see the upgrade priced openly.
Yes. 30 to 50 percent deposit on custom mouldings cut to spec, gilded frames, and large-format work because moulding is non-returnable. State on the proposal so the customer agrees in writing.
Quote a monthly batch contract with volume discount tiers. State the typical batch size, the per-frame rate at each tier, and the turnaround commitment. Galleries respect predictability.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes plus recurring contract invoicing for galleries and artists.
Yes. Quote standard pine and premium hardwood as alternative options on every proposal where the customer is undecided. Most customers comparing on price respect seeing both with the spec stated.
Yes, as a separate line. D-rings, hanging wire, and brass screws are real materials and customers expect to see them itemised on premium frames.
If you are tax registered, yes. Show tax as its own line on the proposal so the customer sees the full price before they accept.
14 to 30 days. Moulding and conservation glass pricing moves with import costs. State the validity so old quotes do not bind you to outdated material costs.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Cleaning Services · Leeds
Guides
Guides for Picture Framers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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