Running a frame shop without the right supplies is like trying to build a house without lumber. When you’re low on moulding, mats, glazing, or backers, projects grind to a halt, customers get frustrated, and your bottom line suffers.
Reliable vendors are part of the equation, but real control starts with a point of sale (POS) system that tracks every order, cut, and cost in real time.
In this blog, we’ll break down the top suppliers for professional framers and share seven easy ways to manage your framing supplies inventory with less guesswork and more confidence.
Every framing project starts with high-quality materials; the best shops source them from trusted wholesale distributors. These five industry leaders offer the framing supplies inventory that professional framers rely on.
CMI offers a deep catalog of mats, foam boards, and accessories, including Crescent-branded products. Known for consistency and color variety, CMI is a go-to for acid-free, museum-quality mats, mounting boards, and specialty finishes.
Roma Moulding is known for handcrafted profiles with bold shapes, layered finishes, and a gallery-style feel. Its moulding lines bring drama and depth to custom projects, and it also offers mounting boards and tools to support your full workflow.
Decor Moulding & Supply offers a wide range of mats, glazing, moulding, and tools, covering everything from simple profiles to ornate carved wood. The company’s broad catalog and fast distribution make it a favorite for shops that need both variety and quick turnaround.
Don Mar supplies a full range of framing materials, from everyday essentials like foamboard and hardware to a broad selection of moulding, matboard, and glazing options. With same-day delivery available in many Northeast markets, it’s a go-to for shops that need speed and reliability.
Best known for aluminum frames, nielsen offers clean-lined profiles in a wide range of anodized finishes — perfect for modern displays and gallery work. Their moulding fits contemporary projects and minimalist designs, and they also supply hardware, frame kits, and display accessories for a complete setup.
Knowing your suppliers and their strengths helps you bring in pieces your customers look for — the styles they notice, ask about, and come back to buy.
Once you’ve stocked up on the right brands, keeping track of your framing supplies inventory is where the real challenge begins. How do you stay organized, avoid waste, and keep margins profitable?
Here are seven tips and tools to simplify frame inventory management.
Industry-specific POS solutions help you manage supply inventory in real time. Every order, quote, and job ticket automatically pulls from your tracked materials, so you always know what’s on hand — and what needs reordering.
Inventory systems should have advanced features that let you track moulding in full lengths and chopped footage. If a customer only needs a 36-inch piece, your POS should subtract that from the full stick and update the total footage remaining to help you avoid overbuying and use every inch.
Group framing supplies inventory in your POS by vendor and type (matboard, glass, and spacers). This makes it easier to check stock levels, place orders, or run vendor-specific reports. When a client requests “that silver nielsen profile,” you’ll know if it’s in stock in seconds.
Set automatic reorder points in your POS system for frequently used work order items — like foam core, standard black matboard, or clear acrylic. When inventory falls below your minimum, the system flags it or adds it to your next purchase order. That way, you avoid job delays and last-minute rush orders.
Keep track of partial matboards, moulding offcuts, and excess glass. Use your inventory software to label and log reusable scrap, so it’s available for small jobs or test cuts instead of collecting dust. This helps reduce material waste and protect your margins.
Look at your POS sales reports to see which framing supplies inventory you use most and which are sitting too long. If Roma’s rich walnut finishes are moving quickly but a certain CMI option hasn’t sold in months, it’s time to adjust your buying strategy. Use this data to build more tailored, leaner orders.
Tie your pricing formulas to your supply costs in the POS system. If a vendor increases the cost of a moulding line, your system should automatically reflect that in future quotes. This way, you stay profitable on every order without recalculating by hand.
Managing framing supplies takes time and energy, but the right system simplifies the process.
LifeSaver lets you sort materials by vendor, track usage as jobs progress, set stock alerts, and build accurate pricing from the first quote.
Whether stocking up on CMI mats, chopping Roma sticks, or staying ahead of Don Mar deliveries, LifeSaver helps you run a tighter, more efficient shop.
Looking for a better way to handle inventory? Schedule a free trial today to see how LifeSaver supports every part of your daily operations.