Frame your life.

Colin Wells Framing is a well-established bespoke framing business, located in the historical heart of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We specialise in framing original art, photography, prints, tapestries, memorabilia...anything near and dear to you. We also do canvas stretching and block mounting at competitive prices.

We provide personalised service with our one-on-one consultations, as well as a unique hanging service where we will expertly hang your artwork in your home, office or shop.

Our production capacity remains unsurpassed in the Eastern Cape and we provide framing and hanging services to hotels, interior designers, offices, universities and many more.

Framing Services Port Elizabeth Colin Wells

Colin Wells Framing Services Port Elizabeth Team

photo by Karl Schoemaker

About Us.

Colin Wells Framing was originally known as the Anthony Adler Gallery that was initially established in 1978 and located in 164 Russel Road.

In October 1998 Colin and wife Jan purchased the business from Anthony and Roz, changing the name to Colin Wells Framing.

South Africa-born Colin returned to his homeland from the United Kingdom in 1996, together with his British wife. Colin brought with him a wealth of experience after working overseas in the framing industry for 14 years.

Our current premises is at 31 Irvine Street, Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth.

In January 2022 husband-and-wife team Thys and Riëtte Kotzé took over from Colin and Jan, upon their relocation to the united kingdom. Thys and Riëtte come from a design background with a love and appreciation for local art.

Helen and Allan Bloemetjie, our formidable husband-and-wife framing team, are truly the best in the business. They have been with Colin Wells Framing for 24 years. They bring unmatched attention to detail and exquisite craftmanship to our business.

Fine Art Framing

Whether you are an artist, gallery, art collector, interior designer or if you just made your first art purchase, we will be able to advise on the best method of framing for a particular medium.

We know some mediums don’t to well with glass, original artwork cannot be glued down and some artwork require acid-free backings and mount board.

We also stock ArtGlass™, a museum-grade glass that offers UV protection and less than 1% reflection.

We will give you a one-on-one consultation and assist with the important decisions to make regarding preserving the art and finding a suitable frame to compliment the art.

Canvas Stretching

We stretch canvasses of all sizes in two depths: 30mm or 40mm. It takes skill to perfectly stretch canvasses so leave this to us! We will expertly stretch any canvas.

Hanging Services

Tired of those nasty holes left in the wall after attempting to hang framed work? That sound of a precious piece of art falling down in the middle of the night? Tired of nagging your spouse to help you with your gallery wall?

We have the solution - we offer hanging services at a very affortable hourly rate. Thys and Allen will sort your hanging-woes out in no time!

Photographic Framing

At Colin Wells Framing we know that the frame should be the silent finish to an amazing photograph - something that the viewer will barely notice.

We work closely with the best photographers in the business and we have the capacity to frame large-scale and large-volume works for exhibitions or personal collections.

We also frame personal photos - print those memories on your phone! We will assist with putting a bunch of photos together in one frame or we will frame photos individually.

Block Mounting

We will block mount any print or poster. Our block mounts are custom-built and hand-painted. Prints and posters are glued onto a masonite board and then put in a vacuum press to remove any bubbles or irregularities. We keep our mount boards light by building a pine frame instead of mounting on a solid piece of Supawood or chipboard.

Tapestry Framing

Whether it is a tapestry, embroidery, cross stitch project, silk scarf...they can be extremely difficult to frame.

Trust us to frame all your fabrics - we understand the movement and stretching limitations of these special works.

Print Framing

That motivational quote, that beautiful limited edition print, the movie poster of the film that changed your life...we frame it all.

We also frame qualification certificates, calendars, occupational health and safety posters, labour law posters, basically any printed media.

Mirror Framing

We frame various sizes of mirrors and will have it custom-cut for you as well.

We will even supply the mirror itself if there is something specific you’re after.

Memorabilia Framing

That marathon or cycle race you completed - bring us your medal, race bib, t-shirt and photos - we will eternalise those memories for you.

Your son’s cricket match - the one where he took 5 wickets and made 50 runs - bring us the ball, a photo and his hat - we will make a beautiful box frame so that you can share your pride for years to come.

Those concert tickets, your baby’s first footprint cast in clay, your ballet shoes from when you were five - don’t let it hide in drawers and boxes, show it to the world! Memories are meant to be shared and displayed. We will help you beautifully display your precious memories.

Products

Frame Mouldings

We stock a wide selection of frame mouldings; whether it is a minimalist or elaborate moulding you want, a solid wood, aluminium or synthetic frame, we have it all!

We also customize and re-finish certain moulds for that signature Colin Wells look!

Mount Boards

These boards are also known in the industry as “mat boards”. Choosing a colour and finish for the mount board just as personal as choosing a frame mould - you will be surprised what works with an artwork!