Valiani & TGS: Driving the Digital Evolution of the Picture Framing Industry in the UK
How Nexus Edge and a long-standing partnership are helping British picture framers combine craftsmanship, efficiency, and new business opportunities.
The picture framing industry is evolving faster than ever. Across international markets, professional picture framers are facing new challenges: increasing productivity, meeting growing demand for customization, reducing production times, and maintaining exceptional quality while preserving the craftsmanship that defines the profession.
In this changing landscape, technology is no longer simply an operational advantage—it has become a strategic driver of business growth.
This shared vision is at the heart of the partnership between Valiani and TGS, Valiani’s trusted partner for the UK market.
More than a distribution agreement, the collaboration between the two companies is built on trust, shared values, and a common ambition: helping picture framing businesses embrace digital transformation while keeping craftsmanship, creativity, and customer service at the centre of everything they do.
For almost two decades, TGS has played a key role in bringing Valiani’s cutting-edge technology to the UK, supporting professional picture framers with expertise, training, and long-term technical support.
Together, Valiani and TGS are helping shape the future of modern picture framing workshops—where innovation enhances craftsmanship rather than replacing it.
The UK Picture Framing Market: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
The UK has long been recognised as one of the world’s most established picture framing markets, renowned for its craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to quality. However, the industry has changed significantly over the last decade.
According to the TGS team, while the number of picture framing businesses has declined, customer expectations have continued to rise. Picture framers are now expected to deliver a broader range of services, faster turnaround times, and consistently high-quality finishes.
At the same time, increasing operating costs—from rent and wages to utilities—are encouraging businesses to rethink their production processes and improve efficiency. For many workshops, digital transformation is no longer optional; it has become essential for remaining competitive.
Today’s picture framing businesses are looking for solutions that help them:
- Increase production efficiency
- Reduce material waste and costly errors
- Expand creative possibilities with matboard design
- Improve workshop profitability
- Deliver faster, more personalised customer service
This is exactly where Nexus Edge makes the difference.
Nexus Edge: Valiani’s Answer to the Evolving Needs of Modern Picture Framing Workshops
Every innovation begins with a real need. With Nexus Edge, Valiani’s next-generation Computerized Mat Cutter (CMC), the company has developed a solution designed to help professional picture framers transition to a more efficient digital workflow while preserving the quality, precision, and craftsmanship that define every picture framing workshop.
Designed to optimise digital matboard cutting, Nexus Edge automates one of the most time-consuming and labour-intensive stages of production, enabling workshops to work faster, more efficiently, and with outstanding accuracy.
Its advanced cutting capabilities allow picture framers to produce multi-aperture mats, double mats, V-grooves, decorative corners, ovals, custom shapes, spacers, and many other complex designs with exceptional precision and repeatability—tasks that would otherwise require considerably more time when performed manually.
For TGS, this is one of the key reasons why Nexus Edge has become such a valuable solution for today’s picture framing professionals.
“Nexus Edge allows picture framers to confidently say ‘yes’ to projects that would otherwise be difficult, time-consuming, or even impossible using manual equipment.”
However, the real value of the technology goes far beyond speed.
By automating the matboard cutting process, Nexus Edge gives picture framers something even more valuable: time. Time to advise customers, develop new products, expand their services, and focus on growing their business.
As the TGS team points out, the greatest benefit is not simply producing faster—it is having more time to generate new business opportunities while delivering an even higher level of service.
Technology That Enhances Craftsmanship
Innovation has sometimes been viewed as a threat to traditional craftsmanship.
Valiani believes exactly the opposite.
Technology should never replace the picture framer’s expertise. It should enhance it.
By automating repetitive and labour-intensive tasks, Nexus Edge allows professionals to focus on the creative and consultative aspects of their business—designing bespoke solutions, advising customers, and creating products with greater added value.
Digital technology becomes a tool that empowers creativity rather than replacing it. This philosophy has always guided the development of Valiani solutions.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
The relationship between TGS and Valiani began in 2007, when Mark first recognised the potential of Valiani’s technology to transform picture framing workshops by improving efficiency, increasing production capacity, and unlocking new creative opportunities.
When Jamie joined the company in 2015, the partnership grew even stronger, helping expand both the Valiani brand and its presence throughout the UK.
Over the years, the collaboration has extended well beyond product distribution.
The two teams have worked together at international trade shows, product launches, customer events, and training sessions, building a relationship based on openness, trust, and continuous collaboration.
Having spent time at Valiani’s manufacturing facility in Italy, the TGS team also gained first-hand insight into the company’s culture and values.
This close relationship between two family-owned businesses has become one of the foundations of their long-term success.
As TGS explains:
“We work together to provide the very best products, training and support. That shared commitment has always given us confidence in the partnership.”
Investing Today for Tomorrow’s Business
For many picture framing businesses, investing in new equipment is a significant decision.
According to TGS, however, Nexus Edge is one of the few investments capable of improving productivity, expanding creative opportunities, and increasing profitability at the same time.
By automating matboard cutting, workshops can significantly reduce production time while offering premium services that increase the value of every order.
Decorative cuts, multiple openings, intricate designs, and customised layouts become practical everyday services rather than time-consuming exceptions.
Instead of simply purchasing a new machine, businesses are investing in a platform for long-term growth.
Looking Ahead
The future of picture framing belongs to workshops that successfully combine traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation.
Through their long-standing partnership, Valiani and TGS are helping make that future a reality.
Together, they continue to support professional picture framers across the UK by providing not only advanced technology like Nexus Edge, but also expert advice, training, and ongoing technical support.
Because digital transformation doesn’t replace craftsmanship.
It strengthens it.
And when innovation, experience, and trusted partnerships come together, picture framing businesses are equipped to grow with greater confidence, efficiency, and creativity.
