The stations below are taken from our photo frame and board manufacturing catalogues. The sequence is the same for both products; what changes is the machine or the work at stations four to seven. The factory page gives the overview for every product family.
Guide
How a photo frame and a board are made: nine stations, machine by machine
Frames and boards are made in our Noida factory across nine stations, from prepress to packing. Printing is on a wide-format digital printer and lamination on a heavy-duty roll laminator. Board sheets are cut on a 5×8 ft flatbed table. Frames are mitred at 45 degrees and joined with an underpinner, glue and corner clamps.
The nine stations for a photo frame and a board
| Station | Photo frames | Boards |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepress | Prepress workstations: artwork set-up and file checks | Prepress workstations: artwork set-up and file checks |
| 2. Printing | Wide-format digital printer, printing your artwork in house | Wide-format digital printer, printing your design in house |
| 3. Lamination | Heavy-duty roll laminator, a protective finish on printed sheets | Heavy-duty roll laminator, a protective finish on printed boards |
| 4. Sheet cutting | Flatbed digital cutting table for the front sheet and the MDF: exact-size glazing, backboards and mounts | 5×8 ft flatbed digital cutting table: exact sizes and clean edges |
| 5. Mitre cutting or frame making | Mitre saws with a 45 degree cut: clean mitred corners on every moulding | Moulding cut for framed boards: clean corners on every frame |
| 6. Joining | Underpinner (V-nailer), glue and corner clamps: strong, flush, reinforced corners | Hand-crafted wooden frames: strong, flush, durable corners |
| 7. Assembly | Hardware stapling, with hanger and stand fitting; glazing, mount, photo and backboard fitted | Surface, core and hanging fittings fitted to every board |
| 8. Inspection | Inspection bench: every piece checked before packing | Inspection bench: every board checked before packing |
| 9. Packing | Packing line: each frame wrapped, in your pack | Packing line: each board packed, in your pack |
How a photo frame goes together
A photo frame has four parts: the moulding, a clear front sheet, a backboard and, if you specify it, a photo mount. The mouldings are mitre cut at 45 degrees, then joined with an underpinner, glue and corner clamps, which is how the corners end up joined and reinforced. The front sheet and the MDF backboard are cut to size on the flatbed table and fitted in the assembly station, where hardware stapling and the hanger or back stand are added.
Frames that hang vertically or horizontally carry adjustable hangers, and table models carry a back stand. The back has easy-open tabs so the photo can be changed. Each frame is individually wrapped, and sets are then packed together. For the choice of moulding, see frame materials compared, and for widths and depths see the four frame profiles.
How a board goes together
Boards follow the same first three stations. At sheet cutting they move to a 5×8 ft flatbed digital cutting table, which gives exact sizes and clean edges. Framed boards then take a moulding cut for the frame, and the wooden frames are joined by hand for flush corners. In assembly, the surface, the core and the hanging fittings are fitted to every board. The boards range page lists the six board types and their builds.
Boards are made to measure in custom sizes. The largest size depends on the category, up to about 6 feet.
Where the checks sit
Inspection is station eight, after assembly and before packing, on an inspection bench. Because packing is the last station, nothing is packed that has not been checked. The approval steps that come before production are covered in digital proof, sample and photo approval before a bulk run.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is ArtzFolio the manufacturer?
Yes. We make the products ourselves in our own factory in Noida, across nine stations from prepress to packing, so the work stays in our hands from the first sample to the packed carton.
How is a photo frame made?
The moulding is mitre cut at 45 degrees and joined with an underpinner, glue and corner clamps. The clear front sheet and the MDF backboard are cut on a flatbed table, then fitted with the hanger or back stand at assembly.
How are boards cut to size?
Board sheets are cut on a 5×8 ft flatbed digital cutting table, which gives exact sizes and clean edges. Made-to-measure sizes go up to about 6 feet, depending on the category.
Can I visit the factory?
Factory visits are by appointment, in Noida. Send an enquiry to arrange a time.
Enquiry
Tell us what you need made
Send the product, a rough quantity and your brand. We reply in writing with questions or a quote.