Framing Success
Framing Success, Inc. is a Virginia Beach-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer that designs and sells custom diploma and certificate frames for more than 3,000 schools and professional credentialing bodies, operating as a division of Herff Jones.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersVirginia Beach, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Framing Success does
Framing Success, Inc. is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce company that designs, manufactures, and sells custom diploma and certificate frames tailored to specific schools, professional organizations, and credentialing bodies. Headquartered at 2556 Horse Pasture Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia and operating since 1989, the company maintains a proprietary catalog of designs covering more than 3,000 schools and organizations, including official seals and medallions for medical (MD, RN, Pharmacy, Dentistry), legal, CPA, and academic credentials. The core technology stack consists of an e-commerce storefront on framingsuccess.com with a school-search interface and a Frame Creator configurator that lets buyers select mouldings, seal colors (Gold, Silver, Black), and finishes; production uses FSC-certified wood mouldings with a do-it-yourself document-insertion design that avoids requiring customers to mail original documents.
The business model is one-time unit sales of custom frames priced by school, moulding, and size, supplemented by gift certificates ranging from $25 to $300 that are redeemed by phone. Distribution is exclusively first-party: online checkout handles US and Canadian orders while international orders and gift certificate redemptions are processed through a dedicated phone line. Standard fulfillment takes 4–6 weeks. Marketing relies on SEO-driven school search, email newsletter, and organic social channels (Facebook, Pinterest, X, YouTube). The company operates as a wholly-owned division of Herff Jones, which provides corporate infrastructure including copyright, DMCA, and privacy functions, and Framing Success runs an environmental program with Trees for the Future that has planted over 1.2 million trees, one per frame sold.
Framing Success firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Framing Success
- Legal name
- Framing Success, Inc.
- Website
- https://framingsuccess.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Framing Success, Inc. is a Virginia Beach-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer that designs and sells custom diploma and certificate frames for more than 3,000 schools and professional credentialing bodies, operating as a division of Herff Jones.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Framing Success industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Diploma and Certificate Framing
- NAICS
- Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212)
- SIC
- Household Furniture (2510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom Printing & Decoration Services (Screen Print, Embroidery, Laser) (BPAFAMAL)
Keywords
Where Framing Success is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Virginia Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Framing Success business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Diploma and Certificate Frame Sales: One-time purchase of custom frames for diplomas and certificates. Prices vary by school or organization due to selections and sizes. Customers can design frames using the Frame Creator tool or order from pre-existing school/organization templates.
- Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold in denominations from $25 to $300, redeemable by phone order only for new frame purchases. Valid for two years from purchase date.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Gift Certificates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Framing Success product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Framing Success designs, manufactures, and sells custom-sized diploma and certificate frames tailored to specific schools, professional organizations, and credential types. Customers select a school or organization (from a library of over 3,000) or use the online Frame Creator tool to design a frame with chosen moulding, mat, and seal/medallion options. Frames are built for self-installation of the customer's own document, with optional Gift Certificates available for purchase.
Product overview
Framing Success is a custom diploma and certificate framing company offering a unified product portfolio centered on personalized academic and professional achievement frames. The core offering consists of Custom Diploma and Certificate Frames that are custom-sized for over 3,000 schools and organizations. The Frame Creator tool serves as the primary customization interface, enabling customers to design frames by selecting from various moulding styles, seal medallions (Gold, Silver, Black), and finish options. The product line is organized into Medical Certificate Frames (covering Medical Doctor, Registered Nurse, Pharmacy, and Dentistry) and Professional Certificate Frames (covering CPA, Law, and Academic credentials). Additional offerings include Gift Certificates and an Adjustable Hanging System. The company operates as a division of Herff Jones, with an environmental commitment using FSC-certified wood and partnership with Trees for the Future.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Diploma and Certificate Frames Custom-sized frames built for specific schools, organizations, and professional certifications, with customizable mouldings, mats, and seals/medallions. Designed so customers can insert their own diploma or certificate without mailing the original document.
- Medical Certificate Frames Custom frames for Medical Doctor, Registered Nurse, Pharmacy, and Dentistry certifications, available with Gold, Silver, or Black seal medallions and various frame moulding options.
- Professional Certificate Frames Custom frames for Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Law, and Academic credentials, available with Gold, Silver, or Black seal medallions and multiple frame moulding styles.
- Gift Certificates Digital or mailed gift certificates in fixed denominations from $25 to $300, redeemable by phone order only toward a new diploma or certificate frame purchase; valid for two years from purchase.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.2 million trees planted through Trees for the Future partnership
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Framing Success
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Framing Success technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Framing Success partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Trees for the FuturecoreEnvironmental partnership where Trees for the Future plants one tree for every frame purchased through Framing Success. Trees are planted for the benefit of the communities they serve. The partnership has been responsible for over 1.2 million trees being planted.
- Herff JonescoreFraming Success is a division of Herff Jones, a company with broader sustainability efforts. Herff Jones handles corporate functions including copyright/DMCA notifications ([email protected]) and privacy policy (herffjones.com/privacy).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
Framing Success competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Frame: Long-established online custom frame supplier offering made-to-order frames in wood and metal mouldings, directly competing with Framing Success on custom frame selection and e-commerce configurability.
- Frame Destination: Online retailer of custom and ready-made frames serving both consumers and trade customers, comparable in product breadth and e-commerce-first model.
- Framebridge: Direct-to-consumer custom framing brand offering online ordering with fast turnaround, very similar in business model to Framing Success but serving a broader custom framing use case (photos, art, memorabilia) beyond just diplomas.
- ArtToFrames: Online custom picture frame retailer offering made-to-size frames with multiple moulding and mat options, directly comparable to Framing Success's configurator-driven custom frame model.
- Church Hill Classics: Specialty maker of diploma frames and licensed collegiate frames, the closest direct competitor to Framing Success in the school-specific custom diploma frame category.
Broad incumbents
- Michaels Companies: Large craft and framing retailer offering ready-made and custom frames in-store and online; competes on price, speed, and convenience rather than institution-specific customization.
- West Elm: Modern home furnishings retailer with curated decorative frame and wall display assortments, targeting the same end-consumer occasion of displaying credentials and art at home.
- Blick Art Materials: Long-established art supplies and framing retailer with custom framing services, addressing the same artist and graduate buyer with broader framing and art material assortment.
- Pottery Barn: Premium home furnishings retailer offering decorative frames within a broader home decor assortment, competing indirectly for the home display-of-credentials occasion.
- Hobby Lobby: National craft and home decor chain with broad frame assortments including custom framing services, competing for the same graduation and home display occasions as Framing Success.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Framing Success social profiles
Digital presenceFraming Success compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Framing Success financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Framing Success leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Framing Success funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Framing Success M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Framing Success
What does Framing Success do?
Framing Success designs, manufactures, and sells custom-sized diploma and certificate frames tailored to specific schools, professional organizations, and credential types. Customers select a school or organization (from a library of over 3,000) or use the online Frame Creator tool to design a frame with chosen moulding, mat, and seal/medallion options. Frames are built for self-installation of the customer's own document, with optional Gift Certificates available for purchase.
Is Framing Success a public or private company?
Framing Success is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Framing Success founded?
Framing Success was founded in 1989.
Where is Framing Success based?
Framing Success is headquartered in Virginia Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does Framing Success make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Diploma and Certificate Frame Sales are the primary driver. The others are gift Certificates.
Who are Framing Success's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are American Frame, Frame Destination, Framebridge, ArtToFrames and Church Hill Classics. Broad incumbents are Michaels Companies, West Elm, Blick Art Materials, Pottery Barn and Hobby Lobby.
Does Framing Success have an API?
No public API is recorded for Framing Success.
What industry is Framing Success in?
Framing Success's product category is Custom Diploma and Certificate Framing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAMAL, Custom Printing & Decoration Services (Screen Print, Embroidery, Laser). Its NAICS code is 337212 and its SIC code is 2510.