In the art framing business, accurate and detailed quotes are crucial for keeping customers happy. Crafting a great quote goes beyond just crunching numbers — it’s about highlighting the quality of service your shop provides and building a foundation for lasting customer relationships.
Discover eight practical tips for creating customer art framing quotes that are easy to understand, cover your costs, and encourage long-term repeat business.
1. Understand Your Customer’s Framing Needs
Understanding your customer’s needs and preferences is essential for creating a detailed quote. Before you get into the specifics, know what kind of custom frame they need.
Start by asking what they want to frame — is it a photograph, a poster, or memorabilia? Then, find their style preferences such as colors, textures, and materials. Discuss their budget and any other specific requirements they might have.
With this information, you can choose the perfect materials for the job, and your final quote will show the total cost of the order.
2. Provide a Range of Options
Most customers know they need a custom frame but likely won’t have a list of materials in mind. Offering them a range of customization options helps improve customer service and generate more accurate quotes.
Show them different framing materials and explain the aesthetics, features, and costs associated with each. For example, you can present various frame styles, matting, glass, and glazing options available through the vendor catalog in your POS system.
You’re helping your customers choose the best options for their custom order by providing curated suggestions. This improves their experience and simplifies your workflow — streamlining the quote process so you can calculate costs faster and complete orders more efficiently.
3. Break Down the Costs
A detailed custom frame quote helps customers see what they’re paying for, from materials to labor. The simplest way to achieve this is by creating an itemized list.
Break down the costs for each component such as frame materials, sizing, matting, glass type, and hardware. Then, add the labor fees involved for cutting, mounting, assembly, customization, and quality control.
The quote approach has two benefits. First, it’s transparent, so your customers know what they’re paying for. This helps build trust and encourages repeat business. Second, it gives you a better understanding of your costs, making it easier to improve the framing process over time and boost profitability.
4. Consider the Artwork Size and Depth
Customers come to your frame shop because you can create frames for all sorts of unique items, not just standard-size photos and posters — from military decorations and sports jerseys to jewelry and musical instruments.
When you get an order for something special, factor in the item’s dimensions when quoting. Larger or deeper objects might require additional time and labor to frame, so make sure to include those details, along with any extra materials like deep frames, spacers, acrylic boxes, or specific mounting components.
Being upfront about the costs for these unique projects keeps things transparent and helps your customers make smart choices about materials and sizing.
5. Include Labor Costs and Special Techniques
Custom framing isn’t just about providing materials — it’s a skilled, labor-intensive craft. That’s why ensuring your framing quote fully reflects the time, effort, and expertise involved in each custom order is essential.
Just as you itemize material costs, break down your labor costs by task to give an accurate picture of the work required. Include everything from measuring and cutting to backing board mounting, assembly, glazing, finishing, and quality control checks.
If your customer’s project requires special materials or techniques, list them in the quote. For example, when quoting an archival-grade frame, detail the specialized matting, UV-filtering glazing, and the steady sealing and handling that the project demands.
6. Provide Visual Examples
Making shopping and ordering a breeze is about creating a great customer experience. And in your framing shop, one of the best ways to do that is by helping customers see what their custom frame will look like before making a final decision.
A visualization tool allows your clients to see how their painting, photo, or artwork will look with different frame styles and materials. Professional tools like LifeSaver FrameVue integrate with your material suppliers and display hundreds of digital frame options.
Use visualization tools to guide clients, offer personalized suggestions, and upsell premium options. It’s the perfect way to match the right materials, styles, and mouldings to their artwork!
7. Consider Repeat Business Discounts
Encourage customers to return and stay loyal to your framing business with a repeat business discount. Deals like a 10% discount or a fixed-dollar rebate on future orders are excellent incentives for building a dedicated customer base.
When offering these discounts, clearly highlight the savings in your quote. Emphasizing these benefits encourages customers to keep coming back — because who doesn’t love a great deal on quality products and services?
8. Include a Validity Period
While customers can request a framing quote anytime, material costs in the framing business can fluctuate. Including a clear validity period in your quote helps maintain transparency and encourages customers to act promptly, maximizing your sales opportunities.
Setting validity periods for your quotes strengthens your credibility and professionalism. It encourages customers to make decisions promptly and shows that your business operates with clear, consistent terms. Setting validity periods also helps minimize disputes and prevents issues with cost changes if a customer tries to place an order using an outdated quote.
Generate Customer Framing Quotes With LifeSaver
Creating a great custom framing quote isn’t just about providing accurate figures — it’s about offering your customers convenience and a positive experience. This means considering their material preferences and ensuring everything is clear and transparent.
With LifeSaver, you’ll have everything you need to grow your business and satisfy your customers. LifeSaver’s FrameVue feature enables you to showcase custom orders and provide accurate, itemized quotes so you can build long-term, repeat business.
Find out why LifeSaver is the top-rated framing POS solution. Book a demo and start your free 14-day trial today.
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