Managing a frame shop means balancing various roles and responsibilities.
Every project requires precision and creativity to bring your customers’ visions to life, from last-minute custom orders to inventory like specialty matting and UV-protective glass.
So, how do you keep everything running smoothly? It all comes down to having the right point of sale (POS) system. The best POS systems for picture framers handle orders, track inventory, and simplify workflows so you can craft pieces your customers love.
Whether you’re upgrading your current POS system or choosing one for the first time, the number of options can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve already done the legwork. Here’s a breakdown of four of the best POS systems for picture framers, making it easier to compare features and find the perfect match for your shop’s needs.
Searching for the perfect POS system for your frame shop? Look no further than LifeSaver, a trusted favorite among picture framers for decades.
Since the 1990s, LifeSaver has been a go-to solution for frame shops, evolving alongside the industry to meet modern needs. Now fully cloud-based, it offers intuitive tools and an easy-to-navigate interface.
Designed to handle the fast-paced demands of today’s framing world, LifeSaver helps you stay organized, improve order efficiency, and create stunning custom frames.
Main features:
Manage your store from anywhere: Take control of your business with LifeSaver’s cloud-based interface, allowing you to manage your shop from anywhere. Whether on a desktop, tablet, smartphone, or laptop, it works on the devices you already own.
Showcase custom designs easily: LifeSaver, paired with the FrameVue visualization tool, transforms your shop into a creative playground. Upload artwork or photos and watch the perfect frame combinations unfold on screen. Customers can see how the rich wood tones, intricate moulding details, or bold metallic finishes bring out their pieces — making it easy to pick a match that feels just right.
Process payments hassle-free: LifeSaver makes payment processing a breeze by keeping everything in one place — without third-party systems. Whether your clients prefer debit, credit, EMV cards, or contactless mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay, LifeSaver ensures seamless transactions for all payment types.
Restock materials from the best vendors: With LifeSaver, you have instant access to trusted suppliers like CMI, RomaMoulding, Nielsen, Fotious, and Larson-Juhl. Stock up on premium matboards and glazing with just a few clicks, and stay in the know with real-time pricing updates.
LifeSaver aims to be the best POS system for picture framers by making it easy and convenient to run your frame shop. From managing orders to showcasing designs and restocking materials, it’s a reliable solution that simplifies your operations and keeps your creativity front and center.
Customer review:
FrameReady has been a dependable point of sale solution for picture framers and art businesses since 1995. Developed with framers in mind, the latest version offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies shop management.
From tracking orders to tracking inventory, it’s a complete toolkit that gives you a clear picture of your business and helps you stay focused on creating stunning frames.
Main features:
Calculate prices accurately: FrameReady keeps you in sync with your favorite vendors worldwide. It’s like having a direct line to their showrooms, giving you up-to-date pricing at your fingertips. Whether you love the classic charm of gilded molding or the sleek look of a modern matboard, FrameReady allows you to confidently offer accurate quotes.
Access a beuilt-in invoicing system: FrameReady takes the hassle out of managing your finances. Whether it’s invoicing, processing payments, issuing refunds, or transferring data to your accounting software, you can do it all with ease.
Get detailed reports: FrameReady allows you to stay on top of your business with more than 30 types of detailed data and financial reports. Track everything from payment history and sales trends to accounts receivable and inventory insights.
FrameReady supports Windows, Apple Macintosh, and iPad devices. Two versions are available: the full FrameReady software for medium and large businesses, and FrameReady Lite for smaller shops.
Customer review:
SimulArt is an all-in-one custom picture framing and POS solution, perfect for businesses ranging from small studios to large operations. Its online platform, multilingual options, and compatibility across all internet-connected devices allow it to adapt to your business needs.
Main features:
Design comprehensive mockups: SimulArt’s advanced visualization tool brings your ideas to life in stunning detail, like holding a frame in your hands — but digitally. See every curve of the moulding, every rich texture, and the way the colors complement the artwork, all in lifelike 3D. It’s a virtual design studio that lets you explore endless combinations of materials and substrates with the precision and creativity your work deserves.
Use AI to guide customers: Imagine having a virtual framing assistant at your fingertips. SimulArt’s AI framing advisor takes the guesswork out of pairing artwork with the perfect frame. Upload your customer’s piece, and watch as it suggests materials and designs that match the color palette, size, and overall vibe. It’s like having a design pro on speed dial!
Scale it up to your needs. SimulArt serves small, medium, and large businesses. Tailor your plan to fit your frame shop’s unique needs, with options for additional data storage, user accounts, and image request capacity.
SimulArt has over 40,000 preloaded mattings, mouldings, and frame elements from the software’s preferred vendors. If you use custom-made materials, you can also upload your own and display them in SimulArt’s visualizer.
Customer review:
Square for Retail is a point of sale solution tailored for the retail industry, including framing shops. While it’s not specially designed for picture framers, many frame businesses trust its simple, easy-to-use interface and feature selection.
Main features:
You can also expand Square’s capabilities through its app marketplace, allowing you to integrate it with many other software your frame shop might need. Examples include WooCommerce for managing online stores, QuickBooks for accounting, and Shippo for product shipping and carrier selection.
Customer review:
Every picture frame tells a story — your shop is where those stories come to life. You need the right tools to keep customers happy and bring their visions to life.
While many POS systems handle basic tasks, only specialized software understands the needs of the framing industry. LifeSaver is purpose-built for picture framers, giving you all the essential features you need without unnecessary extras cluttering your workflow.
From managing custom orders to tracking specialty materials like UV-protective glass and matting, LifeSaver streamlines your operations so seamlessly that it’s like handing off the nitty-gritty tasks to an expert assistant.
With inventory organized, orders managed, and payments flowing effortlessly, you can focus on turning customers’ cherished memories into beautifully crafted frames they’ll treasure forever.
Claim your free trial today to experience why LifeSaver is the best POS system for picture framers.