FrameTek

What FrameTek does

FrameTek, LLC is a US-based manufacturer and direct-to-customer supplier of picture frame spacers, rabbet depth extenders, and security hanging systems, founded in 1969 by engineer Greg Fremstad and headquartered in Salem, Oregon. The company self-manufactures most of its products in-house from KOSTAR co-polyester supplied by Eastman Chemical, controlling quality and product integrity. The core product family includes FrameSpace (an adhesive-free mechanical grip-over-edge art-glass separator), EconoSpace (a pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed spacer using a proprietary 5 mil adhesive, differentiated from competitors at 2 mil), RabbetSpace (rabbet depth extenders for shallow wood frames, available in four sizes), FrameSecure (a tool-free security hanging system for metal frames), and a line of specialized framing tools. FrameSpace and EconoSpace are certified to meet FACTS (Fine Art Care and Treatment Standards) for Maximum Preservation Framing, are neutral pH, and contain no plasticizers.

The company operates a B2B go-to-market via a login-gated BigCommerce e-commerce storefront (frametek.com) supplemented by a toll-free phone order line (1-800-227-9934, M–F 8 AM–3 PM Pacific). Pricing is account-based and not publicly disclosed. Target segments include professional picture framers, artists (pastel, watercolor, paper art), art conservators and museums, and hobbyist framers — a horizontal segmentation across the framing trade. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company is a privately held LLC with no external institutional investment, no parent company, no documented subsidiaries, and no funding history.

Strategic positioning rests on proprietary product engineering (e.g., 41 lbs shear resistance vs. competitors at 13–34 lbs), the founder's five-decade domain expertise and historical FACTS standards-body involvement, and the 1989 PPFA Award of Recognition for FrameSpace. No acquisitions, partnerships beyond FACTS, geographic expansions, recent leadership changes, or technology shifts are documented in the available data.

Name

FrameTek

Legal name

FrameTek, LLC

Website

https://frametek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FrameTek, LLC manufactures and distributes picture frame spacers, rabbet depth extenders, and security hanging systems to professional framers, artists, conservators, and hobbyists via a B2B e-commerce storefront and phone orders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Spacers and Framing Supplies: FrameTek manufactures and sells picture frame spacers (FrameSpace, EconoSpace), rabbet depth extenders (RabbetSpace), and framing tools directly to professional framers through e-commerce and phone orders. Products are sold in bundles (e.g., 60 Ft bundles of 12 x 5 Ft pieces). Login-based pricing suggests B2B account relationships.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FrameTek manufactures and sells picture frame spacers (FrameSpace adhesive-free mechanical spacers and EconoSpace adhesive-backed spacers), rabbet depth extenders (RabbetSpace), and security hanging systems (FrameSecure) along with complementary framing tools. Products are produced in-house from KOSTAR co-polyester and are designed to meet FACTS standards for maximum preservation framing, creating proper airspace between artwork and glass.

Product overview

FrameTek is a manufacturer and supplier of picture frame spacers and framing supplies, operating as a single-product-line company focused on the picture framing industry. The core product family consists of FrameSpace (adhesive-free mechanical spacers), EconoSpace (adhesive-backed spacers), RabbetSpace (rabbet depth extenders), and FrameSecure (security hanging systems), supported by a comprehensive range of specialized Framing Tools including drill bits, screws, and other hardware. FrameSpace and EconoSpace are the industry-standard spacers meeting FACTS (Fine Art Care and Treatment Standards) for preservation framing, while Framing Tools provide the complementary hardware needed for proper installation. Products are primarily sold through the company's e-commerce platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FrameSpace An adhesive-free art-glass separator that mechanically grips over the edge of glass to create permanent airspace between artwork and glass inside picture frames. Meets FACTS Standard for Maximum Preservation Framing. Targeted at professional picture framers and artists.
• EconoSpace A pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed spacer with 5 mil adhesive (thicker than competitors at 2 mil) that creates proper airspace between art and glass in wood or metal frames. Available in multiple airspace sizes and colors. Designed for professional framers.
• RabbetSpace A neutral pH plastic rabbet depth extender used on the back of wood picture frames to extend the depth of shallow rabbets. Addresses 'Spacer Framing' in ready-made frames and is offered in four size variants.
• FrameSecure A security hanging system for metal frames featuring a unique marking system to accurately locate hole locations. Requires no special tools or wrenches for installation or removal, and is designed for secure wall mounting of metal picture frames.
• HK-1 Hangers Frame hangers that work with #6 or #8 screws for hanging picture frames. Customer must provide anchors and screws.
• Pilot Drill Stop Set Adjustable drill stops that are quickly set to drill to the correct depth, sold as sets of six drills with stops sized for #4, #6, and #8 screws. Designed for professional framers.
• EconoChopper Blades Single bevel razor blades used in the EconoChopper cutting tool. Sold in packs of 20 blades.
• Brads - 1/2" 19 Gauge 19 gauge framing nails/brads measuring 1/2 inch, used for picture frame assembly.

Quantifiable outcome

• FrameSpace achieves mechanical permanence without any adhesive - competitor adhesives will eventually fail due to temperature, humidity, and gravity
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FACTS (Fine Art Care and Treatment Standards)coreOthersFrameTek's FrameSpace and EconoSpace products meet FACTS Standard for Maximum Preservation Framing. Founder Greg Fremstad served on the board of trustees of FACTS and helped develop some of the standards. FACTS is the Fine Art Care and Treatment Standards organization.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Tru Vue: Tru Vue manufactures museum-grade glazing and conservation glass (e.g., Optium Museum Acrylic, UltraVue UV-filtering glass) used in the same preservation-framing workflow as FrameTek's spacers. Both companies serve professional picture framers, museums, and conservators with complementary components of the FACTS-compliant preservation frame package.

Broad incumbents

• Crescent Cardboard Company: Crescent is a long-established broad-line supplier of mat board, mounting boards, and framing supplies to the same professional framer channel as FrameTek. It is a larger incumbent with a wider product portfolio and competes for the same B2B customer's framing-supply budget, though it does not specialize in the spacer sub-category where FrameTek leads.
• Nielsen Bainbridge: Nielsen Bainbridge is a major manufacturer of picture frame mouldings, frame components, and framing supplies, and is identified in FrameTek's competitive set as the maker of the "Spacemaker" spacer line. As a broad-incumbent, it offers overlapping spacer functionality as part of a much larger framing-supplies portfolio.
• Roma Moulding: Roma Moulding is a large manufacturer of decorative picture frame mouldings and related framing products serving the custom and professional framing channel. It competes for the same B2B framer wallet as FrameTek, though Roma is positioned upstream on mouldings rather than downstream on preservation spacers and accessories.
• AMCI (American Moulding & Craft International): AMCI is a major producer of picture frame mouldings and framing components serving large retail, OEM, and professional framing customers. It overlaps with FrameTek in the B2B professional framing channel and offers framing hardware and components, though it does not specialize in the spacer/preservation niche where FrameTek operates.
• Larson-Juhl: Larson-Juhl is one of the largest North American suppliers of custom and ready-made picture frame mouldings and complementary framing supplies. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same professional framer and gallery customer relationships that FrameTek serves, with a much wider product range but no specialized spacer offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frame-tek-inc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FrameTek