📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Custom Picture Framer
Company: Michaels Stores
Location: Frisco-5255 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX, United States
Job Type: PART_TIME
Category: Custom Framing / Retail Design
Date Posted: June 10, 2025
Experience Level: Entry-level (0-2 years)
Remote Status: On-site
🎨 Role Summary
- Deliver exceptional customer service by building relationships and understanding their custom framing needs for art and memorabilia.
- Provide expert design consultation to help customers select appropriate framing solutions, including mats, frames, and glass, to enhance and preserve their artwork.
- Execute custom framing orders with precision and a high standard of quality, adhering to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Contribute to maintaining a clean, organized, and well-merchandised custom framing department and retail space, ensuring an appealing environment for creativity and shopping.
🖼️ Primary Responsibilities
- Engage with customers to understand their custom framing project requirements, offering creative design suggestions and technical advice on framing materials and techniques.
- Utilize design principles to recommend appropriate matting, frame styles, and glass types that complement the artwork and the customer's aesthetic preferences.
- Accurately measure artwork and materials, cut mats and glass, assemble frames, and perform fitting and finishing tasks with a high level of craftsmanship.
- Operate custom framing equipment, including mat cutters and glass cutters, safely and effectively to produce high-quality finished products.
- Maintain accurate records of customer orders, design specifications, materials used, and project timelines to ensure efficient workflow and timely completion.
- Assist customers throughout the store, providing product information, design inspiration, and locating items to enhance their creative projects.
- Ensure the custom framing area is well-stocked, organized, and visually appealing, reflecting current design trends and product offerings.
- Process customer transactions accurately using the cash register and handle cash according to company standards.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Coursework or training in art, design, or visual merchandising is beneficial.
Experience: Entry-level position (0-2 years). Experience in a retail environment, particularly with sales or customer interaction, is preferred. Experience with hands-on creative work or crafting is advantageous.
Required Skills:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building customer relationships and providing design consultation.
- Basic computer proficiency for order entry and accessing design software/tools.
- Accurate measuring and spatial reasoning skills for precise cutting and assembly of framing components.
- Ability to operate basic tools and equipment, including hand tools and potentially framing machinery.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Problem-solving skills to address customer needs and technical challenges in framing.
Preferred Skills:
- Previous retail sales experience, especially in a creative or artistic environment.
- Experience with custom framing techniques, art handling, or conservation methods.
- Knowledge of design principles, color theory, and visual composition.
- Familiarity with various art mediums and their specific framing requirements.
🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- While a formal design portfolio isn't typically required for this role, demonstrating a personal interest in art, design, or crafting is highly recommended.
- Be prepared to discuss personal creative projects or experiences with art and design during the interview.
- Highlight any personal experience with framing, matting, or other visual presentation techniques.
- Showcase any examples of personal artwork or framed pieces you have created or worked on, if applicable and comfortable.
Process Documentation:
- Be ready to describe your approach to creative problem-solving and how you would approach a custom framing project from a design perspective.
- Explain how you would consult with a customer to understand their vision and translate it into a framing solution.
- Discuss your methods for ensuring accuracy and quality in hands-on creative tasks.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $10.00 - $15.00 per hour.
Based on regional data for retail positions with specialized skills in the Frisco, TX area, this range reflects entry-level to experienced part-time retail pay. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, performance, and specific store location policies. Research sources include Glassdoor, Payscale, and local job market data for retail and craft stores.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) for eligible part-time team members.
- Paid Time Off, accrued based on hours worked, providing flexibility for personal needs.
- Tuition Assistance Program to support continued learning and career development.
- Generous Employee Discounts on merchandise, encouraging creativity and personal projects.
Working Hours: This is a part-time position. Specific hours will vary based on business needs and may include nights, weekends, and early mornings. Flexibility in scheduling is often available within the part-time framework.
🎯Team & Company Context
🏢 Company & Design Culture
Industry: Retail / Arts & Crafts
Michaels is the largest arts and crafts specialty retailer in North America. The industry is driven by creative trends, seasonal demands, and the desire for personalized and handmade goods, directly impacting the custom framing business which focuses on preserving and presenting personal art and memories.
Company Size: Over 10,000 employees (LinkedIn data indicates 10,001+ employees and 16,965 on LinkedIn).
As a large retail chain, Michaels operates with standardized procedures and a focus on customer service and product availability. The custom framing department often operates as a specialized service within the larger store environment.
Founded: 1973
Michaels has a long history as a leader in the creative supplies market, fostering a culture centered around creativity, DIY projects, and providing resources for artistic expression.
Team Structure:
- Custom Picture Framers typically report to a Framing Manager or Store Manager.
- Work closely with other store team members to provide overall customer service.
- Collaboration often involves discussing project details, coordinating timelines, and assisting with customer inquiries across departments.
Methodology:
- Customer consultation to understand framing needs and design preferences.
- Utilizing established framing techniques and procedures for cutting, assembly, and finishing.
- Adhering to quality control standards to ensure the longevity and presentation of framed pieces.
Company Website: https://www.michaels.com/
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Design Career Level: Entry-level, hands-on creative role with customer interaction.
This position is suitable for individuals with a passion for art and design who enjoy working with their hands and providing personalized service.
Reporting Structure: Reports to a Framing Manager or Store Management.
This structure provides direct guidance and support in learning framing techniques and customer service standards.
Design Impact: Directly influences how customers' cherished artwork and memories are preserved and displayed, contributing to the aesthetic appeal and longevity of their pieces.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement within the custom framing department to roles like Lead Framer or Framing Manager.
- Opportunities to cross-train in other areas of the store, gaining broader retail experience.
- Potential for increased hours or transition to a full-time role based on performance and business needs.
🌐 Work Environment
Studio Type: Retail Store Setting with a dedicated Custom Framing area.
The work environment is primarily within the public retail space, interacting with customers and collaborating with store team members. The custom framing area is a specialized workshop within the store.
Office Location(s): Frisco-5255 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX.
The specific location is a retail store, offering a dynamic environment with regular customer traffic.
Design Workspace Context:
- Dedicated custom framing workspace equipped with specialized tools and materials for cutting, assembly, and finishing.
- Opportunities for creative problem-solving and hands-on work with various art pieces and framing materials.
- Interaction with customers in a consultation setting to understand their design preferences and project needs.
Work Schedule: Part-time hours, including flexibility with shifts that may cover nights, weekends, and holidays, typical of a retail environment.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Design Interview Process:
- Initial application review focusing on basic qualifications and retail/customer service experience.
- Potential phone screening to discuss availability and general fit for the role.
- In-person interview with the Store Manager or Framing Manager to assess skills, experience, and personality fit.
- Discussion of past work experience, particularly any hands-on creative projects or customer service roles.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- While a formal portfolio isn't expected, be prepared to discuss any personal creative projects, crafting hobbies, or experiences with framing or visual presentation.
- Highlight any instances where you've used measuring skills, paid close attention to detail, or worked with precision.
- Be ready to articulate your enthusiasm for art, design, and helping customers bring their creative visions to life through framing.
Challenge Preparation:
- Be prepared to answer questions about challenging customer interactions and how you resolved them effectively.
- Think about how you approach a project that requires precision and attention to detail.
- Consider how you would handle a situation where a customer has a complex or unusual framing request.
ATS Keywords: Customer Service, Framing, Custom Framing, Retail, Sales, Art, Design, Crafting, Measuring, Basic Computer Skills, Problem Solving, Communication, Visual Merchandising, Product Knowledge, Customer Interaction, Part-Time, Team Member, Cash Handling, SOP, Quality Control, Attention to Detail.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Design Tools:
- Mat Cutter: Used for precisely cutting mat board to size and creating openings for artwork. Proficiency in operating manual or computerized mat cutters is essential.
- Glass Cutter: Tool used for scoring and breaking glass to fit frames. Requires careful handling and accurate measurement.
- Framing Hardware and Assembly Tools: Various tools for joining frame corners, attaching hardware, and securing artwork within the frame.
Collaboration & Handoff:
- Point of Sale (POS) System: Used for processing customer orders, calculating pricing, and managing inventory for framing materials.
- Order Tracking System: Internal system for managing the status and details of custom framing orders.
Research & Testing:
- Visual Design Resources: Access to catalogs, samples, and digital tools to help customers visualize different framing options and design combinations.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Design Values:
- Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer's needs and vision to create a framing solution that exceeds their expectations and preserves their valuable pieces.
- Quality Craftsmanship: Commitment to executing framing orders with precision, attention to detail, and a high standard of quality that ensures the longevity and presentation of the artwork.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Approaching each framing project as a unique design challenge, finding creative solutions to showcase artwork effectively within the customer's budget and preferences.
- Team Collaboration: Working effectively with other team members to ensure a smooth workflow, share knowledge, and provide excellent overall customer service.
Collaboration Style:
- Collaborative environment where team members support each other in completing framing orders and assisting customers.
- Regular communication with the Framing Manager or Store Management regarding order status, material needs, and customer feedback.
- Interaction with other store associates to coordinate customer assistance and maintain overall store standards.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Design Challenges:
- Balancing customer design preferences with technical framing requirements and budget constraints to create a satisfactory solution.
- Working with a variety of artwork types, sizes, and conditions, each requiring unique framing considerations and techniques.
- Managing multiple framing orders simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and meeting promised completion deadlines.
- Staying updated on new framing materials, techniques, and design trends to offer customers the best possible options.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- On-the-job training in custom framing techniques, equipment operation, and design consultation.
- Opportunities to learn about different framing materials, conservation methods, and art handling best practices.
- Development of sales and customer service skills through direct interaction and company training programs.
💡 Interview Preparation
Design Process Questions:
- Describe your approach to helping a customer choose the right frame and mat for a piece of artwork. Be prepared to discuss how you would assess their needs and guide their design decisions.
- How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail when working on a hands-on project like custom framing? Provide examples from past experiences.
- Discuss a time you had to overcome a creative or technical challenge in a project. How did you approach the problem and find a solution?
Company Culture Questions:
- What interests you about working in a retail environment, specifically at Michaels?
- How do you approach working as part of a team to achieve common goals?
- Describe your experience with providing customer service and building positive relationships with clients.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- If you have personal creative projects or framed pieces you've worked on, be prepared to discuss them during the interview. Focus on the process, the choices you made, and the outcome.
- Even without a formal portfolio, be ready to articulate your passion for art and design and how it translates to helping customers with their framing needs.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this design position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Prepare to discuss any past experience with creative projects, crafting, or hands-on work that demonstrates your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
- Consider examples of how you have provided excellent customer service or helped others achieve their goals in past roles.
- Research Michaels and its custom framing services to understand the company's offerings and customer base.