Our frames are now (mostly) made to order
For many, standard frames are a pre made and ready to ship product, which is why the cost is lower than custom framing. For the past 8 years, we did the same, trying to have all of the options on the website made and ready to pack up and send out, but during that time we have realised that model was wasteful and inflexible. We aren’t buying these frames in bulk from a supplier, our team are making them all in house, so we have decided to change the process to better align with our business. This is a change that will also have great benefits for you as the customer, so let us explain:
We wanted to expand the options available, both in sizes and frame options, and we knew that doing this would mean we wouldn’t have the space to have a couple of every sku ready and waiting. We create these frames in the same workshop we do all our custom framing, which gives us a lot of flexibility to offer variety, but also gives us limited space to store hundreds of different variations of frame (every size, with or without a mat, in 5 different frame profiles, and 2 different glass options). Switching to made to order means we can expand the options for you pretty endlessly as we see gaps in the market, without adding the costs associated with large scale premises for storage and manufacturing.
Pre -made frames were getting damaged, and therefore not meeting our standards for shipping to you. No matter how careful we were, inevitably a frame in the stack would get damaged occasionally, and would either need to be broken down and remade into a smaller frame, or scrapped if badly damaged. Making to order ensures your order is perfect, and we can minimise the wastage in the workshop.
On the topic of wastage, making to order means we also don’t have to make guesses around stock levels and popularity, and therefore be stuck with combinations that aren’t being purchased
We’re making custom frames to order all week, so being able to slot these into our production schedule like custom job makes the most sense for our workflow and the expanded offering we would like to have.
What if I need something faster?
For the few things we know we sell frequently, both in store and on the website, we do have small stacks of empty frames ready to have your chosen mat boards and glass inserted. We can get these out the the door a little quicker. This is a limited to things like degree frames, photo frames (in a few sizes) and smaller paper sizes.
We do also have a few options from the range assembled and ready to purchase off the shelf in our showroom should you need something quick turn around.
We’ll also do what we can to craft your order more quickly if needed. Reach out to us at info@artefactframes.co.nz or phone the El Framo workshop on (09) 378 6774 and we’ll see what we can do to help. Quick turn around jobs may come with a surcharge depending on schedule disruption.
Why does made to order take up to 5 working days?
All our standard frames are made by the exact same team who crafts our custom work for El Framo. When an order comes in, it needs to be organised into that same production schedule for the week to ensure we keep the custom work flowing through consistently. This is organised by the due date, and the frame profile being used, so the standard frames slot into the schedule where they align with custom work.
Does made to order mean I can customise the sizing?
Yes, our workshop enables us to customise a frame for you no worries, however it is a different process and not available through our online store. If you need a unique sized frame, it will be a custom framing job, and may be subject to a longer lead time. Contact us with any queries and we’ll get back to you ASAP with a quote. Reach out to info@artefactframes.co.nz or phone the workshop at (09) 378 6774.
