Picture framers make frames of all types and sizes and mount and display
decorative items such as paintings, prints, etchings, tapestries and
photographs.
Picture framers use a variety of tools, including power tools, saws and
pneumatic staplers and nailers. Specialist framers use the crafts of wood
machining, wood finishing, French-polishing, cabinet making, woodcarving and
gilding.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Picture Framer earn an average of $808 per week. The
[average annual salary for this job is $42016 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
enjoy practical and manual activities
good interpersonal skills
interested in the history and value of artwork
aptitude for design
appreciation of changing trends in colours and materials
able to work neatly and accurately
good hand-eye coordination.
This job also involves:
Full use of hands/fingers
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements
are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination
or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to
undertake.
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Semi-skilled Jobs
These jobs generally require no specific education for entry. Practical skills
are often more important than level of education. Certificate I or II training
is available for some jobs.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Art
School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to
these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry
to courses that provide the training for the job.
Industrial Arts
School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is
a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Picture Framer
Picture framers may perform the following tasks:
talk to customers about the style, size, materials and cost of their framing requirements
help customers to understand the colours, design and layout of frames
assess the value and physical condition of artwork to decide the level of framing required
order the materials needed and maintain accounts
cut frame pieces to size and prepare joints for corners
join the frame with nails, glue or dowels and sand lightly
mould and glue ornamental parts into the frame if required
varnish, stain or paint the frame
mount backing materials and the item for framing
cut glass to size
fit items to ready-made frames
refer to specialists such as conservators to assess the physical condition of artwork