Making Picture Frames
Can I do It?

Making picture frames must be hard... but

having picture frames custom-made cost a lot of money... and

pre-made frames can look cheap, aren't always well-made, and only come in standard sizes.

If you've ever struggled to find the perfect frame for a special piece of artwork, a diploma, or a treasured photograph, you probably understand the frustration. Whether it's an odd size or you simply want something unique, store-bought options often fall short.

So, I asked myself the big question:

Is Making Picture Frames Something I Can do?

After some hard work, trial, and error, I found the answer was – YES! And after the dust settled—literally—I had another question: Will making picture frames be something I Can Save Money on? The answer to that one came quickly. Without a doubt, making my own frames was more cost-effective than buying them.

Walnut Diploma Frame

The price of wood, tools, and other materials was far less in the long run than paying for professional framing. Plus, I had the added satisfaction of creating something with my own hands, exactly the way I wanted it.

But once I made a few frames, a new thought occurred to me:

Can I Make Money Selling Picture Frames?

After more hard work—and with some encouragement from my family and a few friends—I found the answer to this question was also a resounding YES!

Save More. Make More. 

It has been nearly 25 years now, and my passion for making picture frames continues to grow!

Over time, I learned not only how to make beautiful frames but also how to cut my own mats and glass, take high-quality photographs of my work, and sell my frames on-line.

What started as a simple hobby turned into something much bigger—an addiction like love of woodworking!

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your own frames—or even take it a step further and learn how to cut your own mats and glass—then this site is for you.

If you are curious about the best woods to use for your frames check this out! I’ve got plenty of insights to share. The right wood choice can make all the difference.

And if you want to make money to support YOUR woodworking addiction—well, you’re in the right place for that too!

If you want to make money to help you pay for YOUR woodworking addiction – this site is for you too!

I'll show you step-by-step how to do it. Whether you have a shop full of tools or just a few basic tools:

YOU CAN DO THIS I'll give you options each step of the way, so no matter what type of tools you have you can make beautiful picture frames yourself. When I started, all I had was a table saw, a router and some basic tools, but... ...that was all I needed.

Tiger Maple Diploma Frame

Now, years later, I’ve been fortunate enough to add most of the major tools that any woodworker dreams of. And the best part? Every single tool I’ve added to my collection was earned through the money I made selling frames.

It’s a great example of how this craft can sustain itself financially if you approach it the right way.

No matter what level of experience you have, you can do this! Whether you’re working out of a full shop, a small garage or in your basement with limited tools, you can create beautiful frames. I’ll walk you through the process step by step.

Techniques and Materials

When it comes to making picture frames, there are numerous ways to do it. From simple butt-joints and  half-lap joints to the challenging gold standard -  miter joints  - there's a lot to learn. 

I’ll also cover essential finishing techniques, from staining and dyeing to applying top coats and of course, how to properly sand and prepare your frames for the finish.

Selling Your Frames

If you’re considering turning making frames into a business, the possibilities are endless. There are multiple ways to sell your frames, including:

• Online marketplaces: Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and personal websites
• Craft fairs and markets: A great way to meet customers in person and get direct feedback
• Collaborating with local businesses: Partnering with photographers, artists, and home décor stores
• Custom orders: Taking commissions for personalized and specialty frames

Pricing your work correctly, getting the word out and building an efficient process are all important steps in making a profit. With some hard work, passion and patience, what starts as a hobby can grow into a successful business.

Working Together

I plan to be very active on this site and hope to work with you as much as possible. I will continue to add pages of information, on a regular basis, covering every step of the way.

Please check back on a regular basis for new pages and more information. 

One final note, I don't claim to be an expert. I am just one guy who is sharing what he has learned over the last 20+ years. These are things that work best for me.

There are as many techniques and strategies to making picture frames as there are people making them.

Talk to you soon

Al