EQUIPMENT FOR THE MODERN FRAME SHOP • CORRECTING MAT CUTS EFFICIENTLY
Contents
PFM is a member of:
Volume 30, Number 12
PPFA, The Professional Picture Framers Association ACC, Art Copyright Coalition SOG, Society of Gilders
On the Cover Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season, from all of us at Picture Framing Magazine and the West Coast Art & Frame Expo. We look forward to seeing you at the 21st WCAF Expo in January! Cover art by Jin Dong
Features 18 New Equipment & Technology 24 Your Shop: A Solution Center 36 Successful Retailing Panel Part 5
Columns
46
12 Mat Doctors 30 Mastering Mounting 46 Design of the Month
Departments 8 10 40 42 43 44
Editor’s Note Industry News Product Showcase Distributor Spotlight Crossword Puzzle Index of Advertisers
24
18
12
Picture Framing Magazine® (ISSN 10529977) is published monthly, plus one issue by PFM Publishing, LLC, 83 South Street, Unit 307, Freehold New Jersey 07728; phone 732-536-5160; fax 732-252-2270. Subscription Office: Picture Framing Magazine, PO Box 612, Northbrook, IL 60065-0612; phone 888-238-0049. Subscription: $20 per year U.S., $40 U.S. Dollars per year in Canada and Mexico, $60 U.S. Dollars per year for all international. Single copies, $5.95. If a paid subscription magazine is returned by the U.S. Postal Service as non-deliverable, Picture Framing Magazine will maintain the subscription for one year. If after one year a new address is not provided, Picture Framing Magazine will cancel the order. No refund will be available for that account. Periodicals class postage paid at Freehold, New Jersey, and at an additional mailing office. Entire contents © 2019 by PFM Publishing, LLC. Printed in U.S.A. Picture Framing Magazine registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Postmaster: Send address changes to Picture Framing Magazine, PO Box 612, Northbrook, IL 60065-0612 Agreement Number 1691910 Disclaimer The opinions and information in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and are therefore not to be viewed as such. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. PFM does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor does the publisher assume any responsibility for the consequences that occur should any such material appear. PFM and PFM Publishing assume no responsibility for content, text, or artwork of advertisements appearing in PFM except those promoting PFM. The Publisher reserves the right to review all advertising materials submitted for publication and to not accept any such material deemed inappropriate for any reason.
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PICTURE FRAMING MAGAZINE www.pictureframingmagazine.com Bruce Gherman • bgherman@pfm-group.com • 848-444-5202 Kimberly Biesiada • kbiesiada@pfm-group.com • 848-231-3510 A RT D I RE C TO R Jin Dong • jin@wcafexpo.com • 848-231-4082
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CONTENTS
E-mail to editor@pfm-group.com
AD INDEX Letters may be edited for space and clarity
6 PFM December 2019
PFM PUBCO • BOOK DIVISION BOOK SALES COORDINATOR
pfmpubco@pfm-group.com
PFM PUBLISHING, LLC PRE S I D E N T
Bruce Gherman
Visit us at WCAF Expo Booth 1027
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
I
World-class education, networking opportunities, special events, product demos, and more await you at the 2020 WCAF Expo & The National Conference. CONTENTS AD INDEX 8 PFM December 2019
t seems that once fall blusters in, followed on its heels by winter, our lives start to speed up and don’t slow back down until we emerge from the holiday haze into a new year. As you rush to fill those last job orders and, hopefully, plan for some quality time with the important people in your life, all of us at Picture Framing Magazine would like to wish you a joyful holiday season. December here means everyone is hard at work putting the final touches on the 2020 West Coast Art and Frame Expo and The National Conference, which is slated this year for Jan. 26-29 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. If you haven’t signed up to attend yet, it’s not too late! Go to www.wcafexpo.com to register for the trade show and reserve your seat at the conference sessions and workshops that are most beneficial for you. With the industry’s top instructors covering a wide array of subjects, you will undoubtedly build a full schedule for yourself in no time by choosing from the extensive conference lineup. The trade show, meanwhile, will feature hundreds of exhibitor booths for you to explore. You will
get a first look at the new products of the new decade and have the chance to connect one-on-one with company representatives and find solutions to your business needs. Once again, the WCAF Expo will host the PPFA Annual Convention, featuring the International Framing Competition, a Welcome to Vegas reception, and much more. Since its inception 21 years ago, the show’s purpose has been to provide continuing education, showcase new products and vendors, and offer networking opportunities that help attendees succeed in the framing business. That means whether you’re seeking new equipment and supplies, new business and marketing ideas, or new frame design skills and concepts, you will benefit from a trip to the Expo. I am excited to experience the show with you in our first year at the Rio. Please don’t be shy: stop by the PFM booth, say hello, and bring your feedback. See you there!
Kimberly Biesiada Editor
Visit us at WCAF Expo Booth 1517
INDUSTRY NEWS Special Event a Big Success in Washington, D.C.
Framerica Announces Social Media Contest Winner
Professional Picture Framers Association members explored
Jim Perna of Long Island Picture Frame was recently named the
American frame history, toured galleries, and connected with
first-ever social media contest winner for Framerica, receiving
their peers during a special weekend-long event in Washington,
1,000 feet of free moulding. The contest selected a
D.C., Oct. 26-27. The event, organized by
random winner from those that
the PPFA, started at Gold
followed the company. “It was
Leaf Studios with a session
fun, and hopefully it was a good
led by frame history expert
way to increase followers,” says
William Adair. Adair present-
marketing
ed “An Introduction to the
Ferrara. “We’ll have more win-
History of American Frames”
ners.” For more information, visit
featuring highlights from his
framerica.com.
private collection. Attendees
director
Corinne
Perna and Framerica’s
learned the basics of Ameri-
Fletcher Business Group Appoints New CEO
can frame history from Colo-
Fletcher Business Group, a leading global provider of solu-
nial, Federal, and Empire to Victorian, Modernism, and more,
tion-driven technologies for a wide range of industries, has an-
with examples of frame styles that included Charles Wilson
nounced the appointment of Jim Welch to the position of chief
Peale, Stanford White, and Georgia O’Keefe.
executive officer.
Attendees explore Washington, D.C.
Later in the afternoon, attendees toured the National Por-
FBG Past President and CEO Blair Tomalonis will see
trait Gallery and visited the Lunder Conservation Center with
Welch through the initial transition before retiring from his 22-
conservator Martin Kotler. Sunday’s agenda included a hands-
year tenure with the company at the end of the year. Ben Pa-
on gilding demonstration with Adair followed by a pasta par-
harik will continue to serve as FBG’s executive vice president
ty and tour of the Anderson House, Society of the Cincinnati’s
with a renewed focus on expanding operations through new
historic headquarters and a National Historic Landmark since
business opportunities. Both Tomalonis and Paharik will contin-
1938. Visit the PPFA’s Facebook page for more event photos.
ue their roles as FBG shareholders and members of the board.
Pietro Wins Kate Neisser Award
ness Group team,” says a board representative. “His breadth of
Kevin Pietro, CPF, owner of The Great Frame Up in Schaum-
experience in building and leading small to mid-size businesses
burg, IL, and Oak Park, IL, was recognized for his work in youth
will enable FBG’s continued growth and create new opportuni-
arts education when he was named the 2019 recipient of Snow
ties for both our employees and customers.”
“We’re excited to have Jim Welch join the Fletcher Busi-
City Arts’s Kate Neisser Award.
“I am thrilled to join Fletcher Business Group at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” says Welch. “With FBG’s
City Arts’s annual gala at the Art
ongoing strategic acquisitions, expansion into new product cat-
Institute of Chicago on Sept.
egories, and talented team, FBG is a true global market lead-
27, is given to individuals who
er with limitless potential. I am excited to take the helm and
“share Kate’s passion for the
look forward to working alongside our talented employees and
importance of arts education for
customers to continue FBG’s trajectory to be a leading solution
children and youth while they are
provider.”
CONTENTS
The award, which was presented to Pietro during Snow
in the hospital,” according to the
AD INDEX
Pietro at the Snow City Arts gala
organization. Pietro has worked
Carney Celebrates 15 Years
with Snow City Arts for 17 years.
Susan Carney recently celebrated 15 years
During that time, he has curated
with Framerica as a key member of its
children’s artwork for its Gallery
customer service team. “Susan is terrific,”
Night and other public-facing events.
notes VP Josh Eichner. “She is incredibly
Snow City Arts, a Chicago-based organization, brings one-
knowledgeable and cares deeply for cus-
on-one learning opportunities to the rooms of pediatric patients
tomers and colleagues. We’re fortunate to
at its hospital partners. To learn more, visit snowcityarts.org.
have her.” PFM
10 PFM December 2019
Susan Carney
CALLING ALL PROFESSIONALS!
YOUR INDUSTRY CONFERENCE IS AN EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY Where else can you network, make valuable connections, and learn from industry experts all in one place? Identifying new trends and market opportunities will allow your company to adjust and stay ahead of competitors. It’s a great training opportunity to discover new tools, strategies, and mentorships for you and your employees. Conferences create the conversations that are important and help stimulate new ideas. The National Conference at the WCAF Expo is an investment in yourself and your business. Join us in Las Vegas for a few days – the rewards will be long-lasting.
Register Today! TRADE SHOW: January 27-29, 2020 CONFERENCE: January 26-29, 2020
www.wcafexpo.com
WEST COAST ART & FRAME
EXPO AND
THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Picture Framing Equipment for the 21st Century Shop By Kevin Meath
O
ver the past decade, improvements in tech-
fect recall, matching your designs time after time with no
nology have enabled manufacturers to deliver
additional setup.
new, dynamic options once thought to never
Newer machines cut thicker boards with ease, al-
be available to our industry. If you haven’t upgraded the
lowing for upselling your designs and producing aes-
backroom equipment in your shop or factory in the last
thetically pleasing, higher-value products. Many of these
10 or more years, you are most likely missing out on a
machines use zero-waste matboard clamping systems,
great deal of productivity and quality improvements.
while others use vacuum to hold the board to the cut-
As you will see, the many manufacturers who spe-
ting surface. This can save up to 1 1/2'' of waste in every
cialize in our industry have made great improvements to
board cut and allows much larger mats to be cut from
just about every piece of equipment your company uses
standard-sized boards. In addition, most machines have
or could use. We now have computerized mat cutters,
drastically improved blade changing and holding sys-
computerized saws, and computerized V-nail joiners.
tems. Some machines allow for debossing, decorative pen
Many of these new machines can read bar codes or QR
lines, vinyl embellishment cutting, and even signatures
codes and allow self-setup for absolute accuracy. These
to be “signed” in pencil or pen from a file stored in the
machines let you, the owner or manager, concentrate on
computer. This gives you the freedom to add a high lev-
sales and business improvements rather than chase ac-
el of customization and personalization to your projects.
curacy and productivity issues.
Machines available today allow for nesting and tiling, re-
In addition, manufacturers and distributors offer
sulting in maximum matboard usage and minimal waste.
purchase, leasing, and/or rental programs that allow you
With many newer, large CMCs, you can also choose a
to find the best financial solution for your situation and
“cut other end” option and work through production or-
start improving your bottom line right away.
ders twice as fast. With COE, the machine will cycle back
Let’s take a look at some of the major areas of equipment in your frame shop and what the latest machines
and forth between ends, cutting two matboards each cycle. One operator can become twice as effective!
on the market can do for you.
COMPUTERIZED MAT CUTTERS CONTENTS
The latest generation of CMCs are considerably more effective at creating your products. The new machines are available in larger bed sizes that can cut much larger boards—up to 104'' x 60''. Design capabilities have grown exponentially, and their ease of use can allow you to stand
AD INDEX
out from your competition. With a new CMC, you can create multi-layer mats; cut letters, numbers, and logos; and design matting that replicates traditional, hand-carved mats. The operator can store an array of designs, from basic to extremely complicated, in the machine’s software to allow for per18 PFM December 2019
The AF-500 Frame Joining Robot from Fletcher Business Group
VISIT US AT WCAF EXPO BOOTH 1529
WALL CUTTERS Today’s wall cutters offer a much higher production level and are far higher quality than previous iterations. New models have better bearing systems that hold the cutting heads to stop the flex and wander problems that have caused inaccuracies in the past. They have interchangeable cutting heads that allow for consistent, accurate cutting of a wider variety of rigid substrates. The latest versions of wall cutters will cut acrylic, aluminum composite, cardboard, corrugated plastic, foamboard, Gatorfoam, glass, matboard, MDF, polystyrene, and PVC, making your design possibilities almost endless. You can purchase a machine that will cut up to 96'' vertically. There are both fully manual and pneumatically powered machines on the market. None of these machines require electrical power. They now come standard with production stops that allow for quick cutting of repeated measurements. Finally, most machines can be set up for a wall-hung configuration or stand alone, although some do require an optional stand.
The DY104 pneumatically operated underpinner from Universal Arquati
trol setup and allowance amounts for any profile. Many of these saws can be equipped with vertical or horizontal hoppers feeding the moulding to the saw. These saws are extremely quick and valuable in the labor they save. Additionally, there are machines available on which the operator pulls the blade through the moulding for complete control of the cut. These machines are especially useful for very wide mouldings, giving very nice cuts
SAWS
with no adjustments needed for a perfect miter.
The latest generation of saws offers many improvements
UNDERPINNERS
over their predecessors; most noticeably in dust collection and measurement quality. We can now enjoy much cleaner working conditions with saws that are safer than ever. The clamping systems are mostly hands-free, which allows the operator to be safe and control the saw’s action. Today’s saws use blades from 12'' (294mm) to 14'' (343mm), allowing very wide moulding to be cut with great accuracy. There are machines that use auto measuring tables that allow user input or are set up by scanning a bar or QR code. These machines are quick and extremely accurate with complete repeatability. Shop management can con-
Today’s underpinners are better at joining frames, easier to set up, and faster to use than those in the past. Some current models can be automatically set up using bar or QR codes from a work order, so the shop owner or manager has complete control over where V-nails are placed in the moulding and the quantity of nails used for every corner. The machines can store data for up to 5,000 different profiles and nail placements. This is a huge time saver and potentially saves product and rework by preventing mistakes and bad joins due to poor placement of V-nails or using incorrect V-nails for your moulding. Several machines are available that have a “turret” nail system, allowing the operator to select up to five nail
CONTENTS
sizes and locations, programmable for up to 5,000 different profiles. These machines allow the operator or manager to select the best possible combination of V-nails to correctly join the frame. By storing the data, the operator can recall accurate information every time for that
AD INDEX
profile. This guarantees the profile is successfully joined, even for the most difficult profiles. There are also machines offered by several manufacturers that operate on a “joystick” system. Your moulding The CS 200 CART pneumatic underpinner from Cassese 20 PFM December 2019
(up to 6'' wide) is clamped in a separate operation than the firing of the V-nails. This allows the operator to place
as many V-nails as needed in unlimited locations. These
changing V-nail sizes and nail heads. Frame size adjust-
machines can also be set up to have stops for front and
ments are programmed through a 10'' touchscreen panel.
back V-nails.
Expected production rates for the Robot are 720 to 900
One breakthrough machine is the AF-500 Frame
joined frames per hour; this closely matches the output
Joining Robot from Fletcher Business Group (FBG). This
of six to eight workers using dedicated joining machines.
machine is suited for high-volume production with au-
From added customization of products to overall
tomatic frame joining of moulding and canvas stretcher
production improvements, today’s picture framing equip-
bars. The Joining Robot system consists of a vertical feed-
ment and technology gives you choices you could not
er that automatically positions the moulding into four
otherwise make on older models. The 2020 West Coast Art
individually controlled joining stations, each simultane-
and Frame Expo taking place next month in Las Vegas will
ously inserting V-nails in one or multiple positions per
give you an opportunity to see all these machines in op-
corner. The cut frame legs can be supplied via the convey-
eration, talk to vendors, and connect with fellow framers.
or system directly from a double miter saw. The automat-
Find out how you can start seeing the margin improve-
ic joining process uses a unique vertical clamping design
ments new machines can yield for your business. PFM
for maximum joining performance, increasing production through-put and yield rates. Average cycle time for four-corner joining is four to six seconds, depending on required V-nail positions. The system is also capable of stacking V-nails. The Joining Robot handles frame sizes from 8'' x 8'' up to 30'' x 47''. The average setup time for changing frame sizes is less than one minute, excluding any needed setup time for adding V-nails to the storage trays and
CONTENTS AD INDEX 22 PFM December 2019
Kevin Meath Kevin is a framing professional specializing in operations, sales, and management. His skill set enables him to consult in all areas of frame manufacturing, from small, low-volume, extremely high-quality shops to very high-volume OEM factory production operations. He has extensive experience in plant layout and lean manufacturing practices, design, and product sourcing. Kevin is currently a consultant working with manufacturers who want to improve productivity, cut costs, and improve yields. His clients range from small companies looking to expand their offerings to larger operations with needs to control costs and improve productivity.
SEE US AT WCAF EXPO BOOTH 1017