Our Journey to Showcase Workshops

A team journey through life's ups and downs

Our vision is to have glorious Showcase Workshops, with documented processes and great layouts which will increase work fluency for our team, and create better quality and economy for our clients. We are increasingly taking on batches of work alongside our one-off bespoke framing projects, and so need to capitalise on the opportunity to streamline some processes.

Part of this process is to beat our current workshops into submission and a semblance of manufacturing fluency. Not easy in a multi-occupancy 19th Century cotton spinning mill!

It is our 50th Anniversary since the company started in 1974 as 'Art Graphics' with Ian McDonnell as a sole trader.

Product and process redesign and value analysis

We have undertaken a full value analysis of our products and processes to ensure we are providing the best service possible to our clients. We took a team approach to challenge processes and look for increased quality and economy of the final products. The aim was to increase the value for our clients, and the process enjoyment for our team.

Our favourite part was looking at wild and wonderful alternatives to our normal set of raw materials and processes. We were also keen to ensure a ‘right first time’ culture by designing in effective daily operations for repeatable processes and higher quality products. Quality control has become a joint team responsibility with handover stations and labelling to indicate that the stage has been checked by the craftsman.

We have documented our processes and are on a journey to improve our workshops to a high standard in preparation for our 50th anniversary next year. To ensure this will happen we have declared every Friday to be improvements day - plus bacon butties for energy!

We have also embarked on our B-Corp journey alongside our Showcase Workshops - this seemed only sensible - two journeys for the price of one! At the moment we only score a measly 54.4. Onwards and upwards.

The process for B-Corp assesses you in different categories, from starting point of almost zero (us), to putting things in place to be better. We are currently working on finding a better and more sustainable way of packaging our frames. This is difficult for us because we do need the frames to be protected until they get to their destination.

How to Choose the Right Frame for Your Artwork

Practical guidance on choosing frames for paintings, prints, photographs, canvas, and objects. How moulding, mount, and glazing work together for any piece.

What to Expect from a Bespoke Framer

Your complete guide to the bespoke framing process. From first enquiry through consultation, production, and collection, here is what happens at every step.

Bespoke Framing vs High Street: What You Actually Get for the Money

Honest comparison of bespoke and high street framing. When custom framing is worth the investment, when it is not, and what the real cost difference looks like.

Acrylic vs Glass for Picture Framing: Which Should You Choose?

Practical guide comparing acrylic and glass for picture framing. Covers weight, clarity, cost, UV protection and safety to help you choose.

Shadow Box Frame Ideas: Displaying Objects That Matter

Creative shadow box frame ideas for memorabilia, sports shirts, wedding keepsakes and more. Bespoke shadow box framing from our Cheshire workshop.

Standard Picture Frame Sizes: A Complete UK Guide

Complete guide to standard picture frame sizes in the UK. A-series, photo prints, and imperial dimensions in metric and inches.