Every framer I know has asked the same question at some point: Am I charging enough? Pricing is one of the hardest parts of running a frame shop. Between rising costs, freight charges, and customer expectations, it’s easy to undercharge without realizing it.
That’s exactly why we built Framing POS—a POS system for frame shops that helps you price moulding, mats, and glazing confidently, while making sure you’re not leaving money on the table.
In a recent conversation with Sheila McCumby, a consultant who works exclusively with framers, we broke down the numbers and shared practical ways to set prices that actually work for your business.
👉 Watch the video below for our discussion:
Why Markups Matter
Sheila’s example was eye-opening. At a 2.5x markup, a framer might scrape by with around $12,000 profit per year. Simply raising prices to a 3x markup—without changing anything else—can triple that number. Even if you lose a small percentage of customers, you’ll still come out ahead.
The takeaway? Stop fearing price adjustments. A slight bump in markup can mean the difference between just surviving and actually thriving.
Pricing Mouldings in Framing POS
Mouldings are tricky. Vendors charge different freight rates, some orders are by chop, others by length, and then you’ve got waste and labor to consider. In Framing POS, you can set minimum markups, add service fees, or even create graduated markups that adjust by wholesale cost.
That flexibility means you never have to guess. The software ensures you’re covering your costs while staying competitive.
Mat Board Pricing: Avoid the “Cheap Mat” Trap
Old-school charts often undervalue small mats. Sheila explained how an 8×10 mat could end up priced at just a couple dollars if you only use wholesale cost as the base. But by adding a minimum price and factoring in labor and freight, you protect your margins.
With Framing POS, you can apply formulas that balance small and large mats, making your pricing curve smooth and profitable. Plus, you can set vendor-specific rules if you’re paying extra freight on certain brands.
Glazing: Set It and Forget It
Glass and acrylic pricing is another common headache. Most POS systems require you to manually update glass prices every time vendors raise costs. Not here. Framing POS automatically updates your glazing prices, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.
From museum glass to AR70, you can apply different markups and service fees to reflect the true effort and risk of handling glazing. The result: consistent, profitable pricing without the stress.
Seasonal and Inflation Pricing
We also touched on peak pricing and inflation adjustments. With Framing POS, you can set automatic holiday surcharges to cover the extra labor during crunch time, and you can schedule yearly price increases to keep up with inflation. No more scrambling when rent or supplier costs go up—you’re already covered.
The Emotional Side of Pricing
Numbers are important, but so is peace of mind. When you know your pricing is solid, you approach every customer with confidence. You stop second-guessing yourself. And that confidence builds trust—customers sense it.
As framers, we often project our own idea of what’s “too expensive” onto clients. But Sheila reminded us: many customers have no issue paying premium prices when they see the value. Don’t shortchange yourself because of your own hesitation.
Built for Framers, By Framers
Framing POS was designed specifically for the way frame shops actually work. Instead of outdated spreadsheets or generic retail systems, it’s tailored to our industry—covering the details that make or break profitability.
Whether it’s moulding, mats, or glazing, this picture framing software gives you the clarity and confidence to price right and grow your margins.
Try Framing POS for Free
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re charging enough—or if you just want pricing to feel less stressful—give it a try. You can test drive Framing POS free for 30 days with no risk.