Canvas Stretching

The purpose of stretching a canvas is to preserve it and prepare it for framing. We stretch a lot of canvases, both painted and unpainted. Depending upon the size of the canvas, we have 3 different sizes of wood stretcher bars we use. We also believe in using cross bars to prevent canvases being stretched from developing an hourglass shape. Prior to the invention of the stapler, canvases were stretched using copper tacks (they don't rust). Nowadays,we use a pneumatic stapler and can either staple the canvas on its edge or on its back, depending upon how much canvas we have to work with.

Inevitably, questions come up about stretching. Here are a few:

FAQ'S OF CANVAS STRETCHING

Can I Hang Up My Stretched Canvas Without A Frame? Yes, we can attach hardware and wire to the back of the stretcher bars directly. Deeper canvases, called Gallery Wraps are, very often, painted on the sides of the stretchers and are intended to be viewed or hung without a frame.

How Much of A Spare Edge Do You Need For Stretching And Stapling? We prefer to have at least 1" beyond the amount of canvas it takes to cover the edge of the stretcher bar. That way, we have something to grab with the canvas pliers so that we can stretch the canvas tightly with a minimum of wrinkles. This means we prefer 2-3" from the edge of the painting.

I Bought This Painting On Vacation In The Carribean And Brought It Back Rolled Up. Any Problem With This? There is no problem with the canvas being rolled up. Hopefully, however, the paint was not applied so thickly that it did't crack in the process. If the canvas comes in rolled up and stiff, we will warm it up first before unrolling it and stretching it to soften the paint a bit. The most common problem we run into with canvases from South America, Central America and the Carribean, is that they were painted on stretchers that were not square to start with, on canvas that may be something as inexpensive as bedsheets that have been gessoed over. In addition to not being square, they may not have left you much on the edges to re-stretch the canvas. We will not build a crooked stretcher, however, to restretch the canvas. It becomes unframeable because of that issue.

How Big A Canvas Can You Stretch? Typically, the longest, heavy duty stretchers we build can be just under 10 feet long. We buy heavy duty stretcher bar in 10 foot sticks. You must allow for miters at the corners, so the stretchers cannot be 10 feet long. However, remember that there are logistical problems with a canvas that size, such as getting it through a doorway and transporting it, usually requiring a straight truck with a big box on the back of it. In some extreme cases, we have gone so far as to stretch the canvas on-site, since it cannot be transported any other way.

Why can't I just build my own stretchers out of 2 x 4's? You can, but the problem is that stretcher bars are shaped especially, so that the canvas only rests on the rounded outer edge, with the main, flat portion falling away and tapering in thickness so that the stretcher doesn't touch the back of the canvas. Over time, if it does touch it, a line begins to appear in the painting. So, unless you are handy with a lumber milling machine or an electric router to make your own stretcher bar from scratch, we recommend you let us do that for you. For some clients, we cut the stretcher bars, when very long, and bring them on-site and stretch the canvas there for them. However, they pay a lot more for that privilege, including travel time.

Is It Expensive To Stretch A Canvas? No, it is not expensive, relative to what it will cost to frame it. We charge for the stretcher bar it is going to be attached to and the amount of labor it takes to staple it onto the stretcher. It is somewhat labor intensive, but the canvas looks great once it is attached, all smooth and taut. Like frames, bigger canvases take more time to stretch and cost more than smaller ones. The main point here, though, is that it must be stretched before it can be framed. In a few minor cases, we have (with the customer's permission) dry mounted  the canvas to board and framed it with mats under glass. However, this is fairly rare. 

Once You Stretch It, What Sort Of Frame Should I Use? You have at least 3 really good options to start. One is to frame it in what is called a Floater Frame. this is an "L" shaped frame profile that does not have a lip to cover the edge of the frame. The frame is attached with screws to the bottom face of the "L" in the floater. It can be attached with a gap of 1/4" to 1/2", giving the appearance of the canvas "floating" in the middle of the frame, or the canvas can be snug, up against the edge of the floater. Either way, the edge of the canvas is never covered up by the frame.

A second option is to frame it with a standard wood frame that is deep enough for the stretcher bar used. Here, the lip of the frame will cover the canvas a little bit, usually no more than 1/4". Usually, we will seal the inner surface of the frame where it comes in contact with the canvas, to prevent acid from seeping into the canvas from the wood of the frame.

The third good option is to use the second option, but add a fabric covered "liner" in between the frame and the canvas. The Liner acts like a mat does in a regular matted frame job. It creates a visual separation between the art and the frame. It costs more to use a frame and a liner than just a frame but,if done right, is very effective in enhancing the overall design of the framing. The only down-side to liners is that, unless there is glass covering the linere (between the outer frame and the front of the liner), the liner will, over time, absorb dust, dirt, environmental pollutants and change color. 

Should I Put Glass Over My Canvas When Framing It? No, you do not need to use glass when framing painted canvases. With a painted surface on a canvas, the paint seals the fabric and prevents deterioration of the fibers. However, more and more people are using glass, in conjunction with a fabric liner, putting the glass between the lip of the frame and the top of the liner. Museum and AR glass looks terrific when used in this context, as they are nearly invisible and UV protective. The glass would serve as a barrier to environmental pollutants, dust, sharp objects, and UV light.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT STRETCHING CANVAS OR TEXTILES? CONTACT US AND WE'LL EMAIL YOU BACK AN ANSWER RIGHT AWAY!