Graham Sanderson, designer and entrepreneur, began manufacturing canvas frames for a canvas franchise, redesigning and upgrading the original frames regularly.

After burglaries led to focusing solely on canvas frames, Graham moved operations to a small factory, starting production with a dedicated team.

We perfected the art of stretching canvas, ensuring each piece met the highest standards of quality and durability.

Demand for frames grew, prompting a move to larger premises. We started training more staff.

Graham explored making artist canvases, receiving positive feedback from artists on the quality and versatility of the canvas.

We quickly outgrew our new small factory and had to relocate again to accommodate the growing demand for our high-quality artist canvas.

Participation in HobbyX 2018 led to significant interest and a contract with Stretcher Frames, further solidifying ACF’s reputation for quality.

We started receiving requests for large pieces. Using his design knowledge, Graham inadvertently created the Box Board Canvas, meeting the demand for robust, large-scale canvases.

Our Stretch Canvas with a 20mm depth was born, designed as a super canvas aimed directly at the budget market. One of our best sellers! This was version 1.

With extensive CNC knowledge, Graham incorporated his expertise into creating beautiful yet strong shaped canvases.

Our Box Board Frame, also known as the Panel Board, was developed. These items are extremely strong and sturdy.

Our 20mm Stretch Canvas expanded into our Colouring In Canvas, a huge hit with art teachers, as we can apply any design.

Engagements with international artists and companies, including the International Watercolor Festival, showcased the canvas’s versatility and quality.

Our watercolor canvas journey began. Amit Kapoor used our canvas in a live demo, showcasing his amazing skills and praising our watercolor canvas.

Discussions with Faber Castell SA and other industry leaders highlighted ACF’s potential for global reach. Despite the pandemic, online marketing kept the business afloat.

Prior to the pandemic, Graham had been undertaking numerous online marketing courses. His belief in online sales and the amazing support from our customers kept ACF alive during lockdown.

We started the process of developing our own canvas, manufactured in South Africa. Achieving this would ensure quality and progress.

Along with world-renowned oil artist Joe Joubert, once our fabric was identified, we started searching for the perfect gesso.

Graham took the circle canvas and designed a floating frame for the round canvas.

We took our 20mm Stretch Canvas and started offering it as a 10-pack for art teachers and schools. It quickly became our fastest mover.

Once again, we outgrew our factory. We found a perfect 1000m² rural factory where we could further expand.

Our Outer Oak Floating Frame was officially launched, manufactured to perfectly coexist with our 40mm canvas range.

Our coating for our oil canvas made great strides. Joe Joubert undertook rigorous testing of the coatings and canvas.

Tests started on our own recycled canvas. We have been testing 40%, 60%, and 100% recycled variants. Amazing progress has been achieved so far!

We have entered the final stages of developing our upgraded watercolor canvas. Our fourth attempt at perfecting the canvas is showing great results.

ACF Canvasses UK was established, marking a new chapter in our international expansion.

Thank you for being part of this amazing story!