Frame Maker Food, Wood & Garment Trades Workers
SaveWhat Does a Frame Maker Do?
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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Where Do I Start?
Organic Building Materials
The types and processing of organic materials to build products or parts of products.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Frame Maker
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialOrganic Building Materials knowledge
The types and processing of organic materials to build products or parts of products.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTypes Of Wood knowledge
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialApply A Protective Layer skill
Apply 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Wood Finishes skill
Use a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCreate Smooth Wood Surface skill
Shave, plane and sand wood manually or automatically to produce a smooth surface.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCut Glass skill
Use glass cutting tools or diamond blades to cut pieces out of glass plates, including mirrors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManipulate Glass skill
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManipulate Wood skill
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Wood Sawing Equipment skill
Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSand Wood skill
Use sanding machines or hand tools to remove paint or other substances from the surface of the wood, or to smoothen and finish the wood.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialBuild Picture Frames skill
Build the rigid structure, most working with wood, that encloses pictures and mirrors or holds canvasses for painting.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCreate Wood Joints skill
Use the proper tools and processes to create the joints where multiple pieces of wood fit together.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMatch Frames To Pictures skill
Choose the appropriate frame to suit the picture taking different aspects into account such as style and colour.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 21 displayed)
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OptionalTechnical Drawings knowledge
Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
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OptionalApply Restoration Techniques skill
Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalClean Furniture skill
Remove dirt, marks and other unwanted material from furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDecorate Furniture skill
Use techniques such as gilding, silver-plating, framing or engraving to add specific decorations in the material of the furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEstimate Restoration Costs skill
Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEvaluate Restoration Procedures skill
Evaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Delivery Of Furniture Goods skill
Handle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer's needs and preferences.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManipulate Metal skill
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPaint Decorative Designs skill
Apply designs in paint, using paint sprayers, paintbrushes or spray cans.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPass On Trade Techniques skill
Pass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Furniture For Application Of Paint skill
Set up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSell Furniture skill
Sell pieces of furniture in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSell Household Goods skill
Sell household devices and goods such as microwaves, blenders and kitchen supplies in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSet Up The Controller Of A Machine skill
Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalArtificially Age Furniture skill
Use various techniques such as sanding, denting, painting and others to make new furniture look distressed and aged.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCarve Materials skill
Carve an object out of a material such as wood, or give a specific shape to a material by carving it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFix Minor Scratches skill
Fix minor dents and scratches on the surface with touch-up paint or scratch remover.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Furniture Machinery skill
Maintain 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Furniture Machinery skill
Operate machines and equipment used for making furniture parts and the assembling of furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRemove Paint skill
Remove paint by using chemical strippers, a heat gun, sanding or scraping the surface.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRepair Furniture Machinery skill
Repair broken components or systems of machinery and equipment used for making furniture, using hand and power tools.
Course recommendations coming soon.