Built EnvironmentISCO 7115

Frame maker

Frame makers build frames, mostly out of wood, for pictures and mirrors. They discuss the specifications with customers and build or adjust the frame accordingly. They cut, shape and join the wooden elements and treat them to obtain the desired colour and protect them from corrosion and fire. They cut and fit the glass into the frame. In some cases, they carve and decorate the frames. They may also repair, restore or reproduce older or antique frames.

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Check yourself in a minute: frame maker

Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

match frames to pictures

manipulate wood

create smooth wood surface

cut glass

manipulate glass

About frame maker

As a frame maker, you will create custom frames for pictures, mirrors, and artwork, transforming wood into beautiful and functional display pieces. You will work with customers to understand their vision and specifications, selecting appropriate materials and designing frames that complement their artwork. Your role combines artistic creativity with practical craftsmanship, as you cut, shape, join, and finish wooden elements to exacting standards.

Your daily work involves selecting and preparing wood materials, cutting glass and wooden components with precision, creating strong and aesthetically pleasing joints, applying finishes and protective coatings, and assembling completed frames. You may also restore, repair, or recreate antique and historical frames, requiring knowledge of traditional techniques and materials. You will use specialized woodworking equipment, hand tools, and finishing supplies to achieve the desired look and durability.

Poland has a rich tradition of craftwork and artisanal skills, and skilled frame makers are valued for both custom and restoration work. Whether working with contemporary designs or historical pieces, frame makers can develop a loyal clientele and potentially grow their business. Career prospects include advancing to master craftsperson status, specializing in restoration work, or establishing an independent frame-making studio.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a frame maker.

Design and customer consultation

Discuss frame specifications and design preferences with customers
Match frames to pictures and artwork based on style and aesthetics
Develop custom frame designs that meet customer requirements

Wood selection and preparation

Select appropriate types of wood based on project requirements
Prepare wood materials for cutting and assembly
Understand organic building materials and their properties

Cutting, shaping and joinery

Cut wooden elements to precise dimensions using specialized equipment
Shape wood components to achieve desired frame design
Create strong and precise wood joints using appropriate techniques
Create smooth wood surfaces through sanding and finishing

Glass cutting and fitting

Cut glass to appropriate dimensions for frame assembly
Manipulate glass carefully to ensure quality and safety
Fit glass into frames with precision and care

Finishing and protective treatments

Apply wood finishes to achieve desired color and appearance
Apply protective layers to prevent corrosion and fire damage
Sand wood surfaces to create smooth finishes

Carving, decoration and restoration

Carve and decorate frames with artistic details
Repair and restore antique and historical frames
Reproduce frames based on original designs or customer specifications

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

organic building materialsorganic building materialsThe types and processing of organic materials to build products or parts of products.types of woodtypes of woodTypes of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.match frames to picturesmatch frames to picturesChoose the appropriate frame to suit the picture taking different aspects into account such as style and colour.manipulate woodmanipulate woodManipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.create smooth wood surfacecreate smooth wood surfaceShave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.cut glasscut glassUse glass cutting tools or diamond blades to cut pieces out of glass plates, including mirrors.manipulate glassmanipulate glassManipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.apply a protective layerapply a protective layerApply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.sand woodsand woodUse sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.create wood jointscreate wood jointsUse the proper tools and processes to create the joints where multiple pieces of wood fit together.build picture framesbuild picture framesBuild the rigid structure, most working with wood, that encloses pictures and mirrors or holds canvasses for painting.apply wood finishesapply wood finishesUse a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.operate wood sawing equipmentoperate wood sawing equipmentOperate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.

Optional (20) — show

technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.pass on trade techniquespass on trade techniquesPass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.remove paintremove paintRemove paint by using chemical strippers, a heat gun, sanding or scraping the surface.apply restoration techniquesapply restoration techniquesSelect and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management pr...handle delivery of furniture goodshandle delivery of furniture goodsHandle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer's needs and preferences.operate furniture machineryoperate furniture machineryOperate machines and equipment used for making furniture parts and the assembling of furniture.clean furnitureclean furnitureRemove dirt, marks and other unwanted material from furniture.maintain furniture machinerymaintain furniture machineryMaintain machinery and equipment in order to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust when necessary, using hand and power tools.manipulate metalmanipulate metalManipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.evaluate restoration proceduresevaluate restoration proceduresEvaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.age furniture artificiallyage furniture artificiallyUse various techniques such as sanding, denting, painting and others to make new furniture look distressed and aged.fix minor scratchesfix minor scratchesFix minor dents and scratches on the surface with touch-up paint or scratch remover.carve materialscarve materialsCarve an object out of a materials such as wood, or give a specific shape to a material by carving it.estimate restoration costsestimate restoration costsEstimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.sell household goodssell household goodsSell household devices and goods such as microwaves, blenders and kitchen supplies in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.repair furniture machineryrepair furniture machineryRepair broken components or systems of machinery and equipment used for making furniture, using hand and power tools.sell furnituresell furnitureSell pieces of furniture in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.decorate furnituredecorate furnitureUse techniques such as gilding, silver-plating, framing or engraving to add specific decorations in the material of the furniture.prepare furniture for application of paintprepare furniture for application of paintSet up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a frame maker do?

What skills does a frame maker need?

A frame maker needs 13 essential skills, including organic building materials, types of wood, match frames to pictures, manipulate wood, create smooth wood surface.

Will AI replace frame maker jobs?

The AI disruption score for frame maker is 18/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: sell household goods, estimate restoration costs, technical drawings. Most resilient: manipulate metal, types of wood, manipulate glass.

AI Replacement Risk

18/ 100

Low Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

sell household goods estimate restoration costs technical drawings

Skills resilient to automation

manipulate metal types of wood manipulate glass

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Quick Facts

SectorBuilt Environment

ISCO GroupBuilding and related trades workers

Essential Skills13

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