Typical pathStarter β Studio β Factory-scale
Framing Shop Equipment: What to Buy First
A practical equipment map for custom framing workshops β from a single workbench through daily batch production. Match machines to your orders, materials, and floor space before you request a configuration quote.
Who this is for
Shop owners planning a first cutting-and-joining setup, galleries upgrading from hand tools, and production managers comparing semi-auto vs stack-cut paths. If you are opening your first shop, start with our new-to-framing playbook, then return here for machine-level detail.
The four workflow stages
Every framing workshop runs the same core sequence: cut moulding to length, join corners, assemble the package (mat, art, glazing), then finish with backing and hanging hardware. Equipment buying mistakes usually come from skipping a stage or over-automating one stage too early.
Cutting sets your angle accuracy and dust control. Joining sets daily throughput and repeatability. Assembly and finishing tools protect margins on custom work and batch orders alike.
Starter workshop β entry-level equipment
A starter path focuses on one reliable cutting station and one joining station an operator can learn in a day. Standard or CT200-class dust-free miter saws handle wood and PS profiles for low-to-mid volume. NN400 or NN600 pneumatic underpinners cover most corner joints without CNC programming.
Add MM100/MM200 assembly tools when aluminium or crimped profiles appear in your mix. This path keeps capital flexible β you can add a second joining station or upgrade cutting before moving to semi-automatic combinations.
Studio production β semi-automatic combinations
Studio setups pair faster cutting (CT300/CT400) with touchscreen or CNC underpinners (NN500/NN700) for repeatable batch work. NN500 suits high-throughput wood and PS orders; NN700 adds MDF protection for delicate surfaces and coated profiles.
Studio equipment is the sweet spot for independent galleries and regional framers serving designers, photographers, and retail chains with steady daily output β typically hundreds of frames per day across one or two shifts.
Factory-scale β cut-and-join automation backbone
High-volume factories prioritize stack cutting (NC600/NC500) and quad-angle joining (NN300) as the automation backbone. Back-panel saws, hanging systems, and packaging lines expand modularly β XKY does not position this as a fully unattended end-to-end line.
Choose factory-scale equipment when batch SKUs, moulding widths, and shift plans are fixed enough to justify stack cutting and dedicated joining stations.
Accessories, consumables, and layout
Budget for V-nails, blades, dust extraction, compressed air, and infeed/outfeed tables alongside core machines. Linear flow β cut near joining, with assembly and finishing downstream β reduces handling and rework.
Leave service clearance around underpinners and stack cutters; document electrical and air requirements before floor plans are finalized.
Compare workshop paths
| Path | Typical daily output | Core machines | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 20β150 frames | Dust-free miter saw + NN400/NN600 | First shop, mixed custom work |
| Studio | 200β3,000 frames | CT300/CT400 + NN500/NN700 | Daily batch orders, growing gallery |
| Factory-scale | 1,000+ frames (cut-and-join) | NC600/NC500 + NN300 | High-volume factories, fixed SKUs |
Flagship equipment picks
Start with these XKY models when scoping a workshop quote β each links to specs and scenario context.
Standard dust-free miter saw
Compact cutting for starter workshops
CT300 dust-free miter saw
Studio cutting for wood and PS batch work
NN400 pneumatic underpinner
Entry joining with active clamping
NN500 touchscreen underpinner
Studio throughput and fast recall
NN700 CNC frame joiner
Delicate MDF and premium profiles
NC600 stack cutter
Factory-scale stack cutting backbone
Recommended path for most growing shops
Shops doing 100β500 frames per week with mixed wood and PS profiles usually land on a studio path: CT300/CT400 cutting paired with NN500 or NN700 joining. Request a studio configuration quote once you know your daily mix and floor layout.
Equipment FAQ
Do I need a stack cutter for a new framing shop?
Usually no. Most first shops start with a dust-free miter saw and a pneumatic or CNC underpinner. Stack cutters make sense when daily batch volume and fixed moulding widths justify automated stack cutting.
Can I mix wood and aluminium on one cutting station?
Many shops use CT400 for dual-material cutting in studio paths. Starter paths often keep wood on a standard miter saw and add aluminium-specific tooling when that line of business grows.
How many joining stations do I need?
One well-configured underpinner covers most starter and studio shops. Factory-scale cut-and-join backbones add dedicated joining stations when cutting and joining run in parallel shifts.