If you have a knack for framing and want to turn it into a business, careful planning can help you avoid costly mistakes. Your picture framing business plan should outline your goals, customer strategy, financial planning, and marketing approach so nothing is overlooked.
Starting a business involves more moving parts than expected, from legal requirements to profitable pricing. This guide simplifies the planning process, breaking it down into four straightforward steps to help get your business off the ground.
1. Set Your Direction: Defining Your Vision and Understanding the Market
The first step in creating your picture framing business plan is to define your target market and what sets you apart from the competition. Not all framers offer identical services. Some specialize in high-quality customized frames, while others focus on budget-friendly options for wholesale production.
Determine what matches your skills, vision, and market demand, and clarify your concept by:
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Writing a mission statement: Describe the experience you want customers to have. Will you specialize in fine art preservation, everyday home décor, or professional custom picture framing for galleries?
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Setting clear business goals: Outline concrete milestones like launching a storefront within six months or adding online sales by year two.
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Drafting financial expectations: Set rough financial expectations with pricing strategies that balance costs, market demand, and profit margins.
After setting your business goals, think about who your customers are and what they need. The better you understand them, the easier it is to offer services they’ll value.
Study the market by:
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Identifying customer needs: Identify what matters most to your audience by researching trends and surveying potential customers. Do they care most about affordability, museum-grade preservation, or quick turnaround times?
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Analyzing competitors: Visit competitor framing shops and research online services. What services do they offer, and how can you differentiate your business? Pay attention to pricing, quality, and advertised completion timeframes.
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Sourcing reliable suppliers: Running low on inventory disrupts your business operations, from order fulfillment to customer service. Keeping in-demand products on hand means fewer headaches and no last-minute rushes to source inventory. Working with multiple vendors gives you backup options, so you’re not stuck waiting when one supplier runs behind.
Check out other businesses in your industry and look for products and services they don’t offer. Customer feedback and trends can point you toward gaps in the market, helping you deliver what people are looking for.
2. Choose Your Path: Business Models and Legal Steps to Stay Protected
Like any new store, starting a framing business comes with unexpected hurdles — one of the biggest is setting up your legal structure. Many new business owners focus on products and customers but underestimate how business structure impacts financial risk, taxes, and long-term growth.
Select Your Business Model and Location
Your business model determines how you operate, serve customers, and generate revenue. Choose one that matches your mission, skills, and market demand:
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Custom framing: Work one-on-one with customers for unique, high-quality designs.
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Wholesale framing: Sell frames in bulk to retailers, galleries, or corporate clients.
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Mobile framing: Provide on-location services for convenience and flexibility.
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Specialty framing: Offer niche services like museum-grade conversation or digital printing.
Your sales model — whether in-store, online, or both — affects overhead costs, customer accessibility, and logistics and should be included in your picture framing business plan. While a physical store attracts walk-ins and allows you to provide hands-on consultations, an online e-commerce store can lower overhead but add other responsibilities like shipping and fulfillment.
Complete All Legal Requirements
The size and scope of your business influence the legal structure you choose. Frame shops have three options:
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Sole proprietorship: Simple to set up but offers no personal liability protection. Best for small, solo-operated stores.
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Limited liability company (LLC): Shields personal assets while allowing for easier management and fewer administrative requirements than a corporation. It’s ideal for small businesses with a physical storefront, employees, or high-value custom work. It also provides flexibility for future growth, investors, or partnerships.
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Corporation: Provides strong legal protection but involves more paperwork and tax requirements. Best for large-scale framing businesses, wholesale operations, or those seeking outside investors and long-term expansion.
Before you can launch your business, you need to complete several legal steps, including:
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Registering your business: Obtain necessary permits like a business license, sales tax permit, or zoning permit.
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Acquiring insurance: Purchase liability coverage and worker’s compensation (if you have employees) to reduce risks.
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Ensuring legal compliance: Check zoning laws, tax requirements, and state regulations.
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Drafting agreements: Outline pricing, delivery terms, and service policies for vendors and clients.
Establishing your business model and handling legal requirements may not be the most exciting steps, but they are crucial. Getting these details right helps avoid mistakes and unnecessary delays.
3. Plan for Profit: Budgeting and Pricing Strategies for Success
Your picture framing business plan isn’t complete without clear financial projections. Start by calculating startup costs, including:
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Framing equipment and materials: Mat cutters, frame stock, glass adhesives, and workplace essentials.
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Rent and utilities: Lease costs, electricity, water, and other bills if opening a physical store.
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Licenses and insurance: Business registration, liability coverage, and worker’s compensation if hiring employees.
Once you know your costs, estimate revenue and ongoing expenses to plan for profitability. Consider additional revenue streams like offering framing classes, partnering with corporate clients for bulk orders, or selling online to reach a larger market.
Conduct a break-even analysis to determine how many sales you need to cover expenses and start turning a profit. Consider financing options like small business loans, grants, or investors if additional funding is required.
4. Attract Customers: Marketing and Sales Strategies That Work
Every successful business needs a customer base. Your picture framing business plan should include marketing strategies that show how you’ll attract buyers, build your brand, and generate consistent sales.
This starts by defining your unique selling proposition (USP) — what makes your business stand out. Whether you specialize in luxury conservation framing, budget-friendly options, or fast turnaround times, your USP should reflect what customers value most.
Other key details of your marketing plan include:
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Developing an online presence: Create a website where customers can browse services, request quotes, or place orders. Use social media to showcase framed pieces, share testimonials, and engage with local art communities.
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Optimizing for local search engine traffic: Claim your Google Business Profile and use keywords like “custom framing near me” to improve visibility when potential customers search for framing services online.
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Making community connections: Build partnerships with artists, galleries, interior designers, and even friends and family to create recurring business.
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Attending trade shows and events: Show your craftsmanship at art fairs, trade shows, and networking events to establish credibility and generate referrals.
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Running targeted promotions: Offer loyalty programs, referral incentives, and seasonal discounts to encourage repeat customers and word-of-mouth marketing.
Building strong customer relationships and staying in demand starts with the right marketing strategy. The better you connect with people, the more likely they are to spread the word and send referrals your way.
Prepare for a Strong Future With Your Picture Framing Business Plan
Once your business is up and running, things move fast — orders pile up, customers expect quick service and managing finances becomes a daily task. Your picture framing business plan gives you direction, but you need the right tools to follow through.
Point of sale (POS) systems like LifeSaver, designed for framers, help keep your new business organized so you can keep up with demand. Vendor integrations connect you with top suppliers, helping you keep materials stocked without constant manual orders. With LifeSaver Payments, you can accept multiple forms of payment, including debit, credit, and digital payment options.
LifeSaver also helps with marketing and customer service. The FrameVue integration simplifies custom framing by letting customers visualize design elements on a phone or tablet before they commit to purchase. With sales breakdowns and reporting tools, you can confidently monitor trends, update pricing, and adjust marketing strategies based on accurate data.
Start a free trial with LifeSaver, so you’re ready when your framing business starts gaining momentum.
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