In a busy frame shop, supply ordering often happens on the fly — between measuring moulding for one customer and squeezing in an order for another before the delivery window closes. All it takes is one rushed, scribbled note to turn 24 inches of moulding into 20 feet of the wrong color.
That’s the reality of manual ordering: wasted materials, lost time, and avoidable stress. But with consistent habits and the right digital inventory tools, you can turn chaos into control.
Here are four frame shop supply ordering tips to help you keep materials flowing and projects moving forward without interruption.
Handwritten ordering leaves room for error, even for the best framers. One unclear note or mixed-up SKU can delay deliveries, squeeze cash flow, and create headaches for your whole team.
The trouble usually starts when you:
Order discontinued products: Don’t place an order without checking current catalogs or vendor updates — this way, you won’t wait on glazing or hardware that’s no longer available.
Overstock slow movers: Don’t buy more materials than your current workload requires. This ties up cash and storage space in supplies that may sit unused for months.
Rush last-minute shipments: Don’t wait until shelves are empty, then pay extra fees for overnight material delivery just to stay on schedule.
Duplicate staff orders: Don’t submit overlapping purchase requests — and end up with excess stock — because notes aren’t shared between team members.
Once you identify the gaps, you can use tools that automate routine orders and prevent errors before they escalate into costly problems.
A pick list is your project’s shopping list — the moulding, mat board, glass, and hardware you need to complete the project on time. Detailed and consistent planning keeps your team organized, orders accurate, and production running efficiently.
Simplify frame shop supply ordering with these tips:
Calculate accurate material quantities: Use project-based pick lists that auto-fill measurements, helping you order the right footage, sheets, and hardware for each frame.
Group items by vendor: Consolidate materials by supplier to reduce shipping costs, simplify tracking, and ensure deliveries run smoothly.
Automate reorder thresholds: Create alerts for your most frequently used supplies, such as foam board and spacers, to prevent shortages before they occur and maintain uninterrupted production.
Share live lists with your team: Work from a shared digital list instead of handwritten notes so designers, fitters, and counter staff can see live updates and avoid duplicate or missing orders.
Use digital work order software to generate automated pick lists tailored to your store’s recurring projects, material needs, and inventory flow.
Frame shop supply ordering can swing wildly from one week to the next. One week, you’re framing big shadowbox projects that need bulky supplies, and the next, you’re low on essential items like clips and backing boards. The challenge is maintaining a sufficient variety in stock to prevent shortages without wasting money or space.
Here’s how to manage it:
Track real usage trends: Review your POS data to see which moulding styles, mat colors, and hardware move quickly — and which ones sit on the shelf — to make smarter reorder decisions.
Plan around vendor lead times: Verify each vendor’s delivery schedule and use it to time reorders before materials are in short supply.
Base orders on current demand: Order to match confirmed projects — like a rush of wedding frames in June — instead of repeating last month’s numbers, keeping inventory lean and relevant.
Maintain a modest buffer of staples: Stock a small reserve of your most frequently used items to handle walk-ins or repeat orders.
Even a minor delay can have an impact. If a 32×40 piece of museum glass arrives two days late, a $600+ shadowbox build sits idle. Stocking based on real-time demand ensures you maintain space, protect your budget, and keep production on track.
Manual ordering creates avoidable mistakes. Digital framing software organizes every order, tracks your inventory, and makes supply management effortless.
Frame shop POS solutions let you:
Create accurate pick lists automatically: Convert approved jobs into detailed supply lists that spell out every component, preventing missed parts and rushed, costly add-ons.
Stay on top of inventory changes: See what’s in stock and what’s been used in real time, so you can schedule reorders before materials run low.
Order efficiently from vendors: Combine multiple projects into a single order per supplier, saving both time and shipping costs.
Prevent stockouts with alerts: Set reorder points that notify you when core supplies dip below your minimum levels, so you can restock before production slows.
Automation reduces errors and can give you back 10 or more hours a week to focus on design, craftsmanship, and your clients.
Frame shop supply ordering doesn’t have to be stressful or unpredictable. With the right tools, you can track materials in real time, stay ahead of reorders, and keep every project on schedule.
LifeSaver brings that control to your workflow. It automates reorder points, creates accurate pick lists in seconds, and gives you instant visibility into inventory across all vendors and locations. Add data-rich dashboards and built-in loyalty tools, and you have a complete operating system for your frame shop.
Ditch the sticky notes, rushed orders, and costly overstock. Explore LifeSaver plans and pricing to discover how effortless supply ordering can be.