How to Mount a Large Canvas Painting
Before you begin painting, you must stretch and mount your canvas. If you stretch a canvas after painting, you may get cracks and gaps in your work. You can make a sturdy canvas panel using hardboard or beaverboard to archive and mount your painting. Be aware of the size, however. Boards that are very large may warp with age if they do not have a backing. Choose a roll of unprimed canvas and make several mounts at the same time to save money on supplies.
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Things You'll Need
- Mount board
- Canvas
- Scissors
- Neutral pH adhesive
- Roller
- Staple gun
- Canvas pliers
- Hobby knife
- Damp cloth
- Heavy books
- Heavy brown paper
- Glue
Instructions
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1
Select hardboard that is large enough to hold the painting you wish to paint. It will have hanging holes on the back so you can hang your painting after it is mounted, and be at least one-half-inch wide.
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2
Lay the hardboard on your canvas. Cut the edges of the canvas one inch longer on each side of the board.
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3
Apply the adhesive to the front and sides of the board and lay it carefully back on the canvas. You will see the 1-inch edges sticking out from under the board. Wrap the edges of the canvas up the sides of the board.
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4
Turn the board and canvas over and press the canvas onto the board using the roller. Roll the board to remove all air bubbles and creases. Press the air and creases out of the sides of the board using the roller.
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5
Staple the sides of the canvas to the sides of the board for added security. Start on one side and place a staple in the middle of that side. Then move to the opposite side and use stretching pliers to pull the canvas. Hold the canvas and then staple the center of the opposite side. Repeat this on the top and bottom, so you have one staple in the center of all four sides. Move back to the first side, and add staples every 2 inches starting from the middle. Move from the first side to the opposite side of the board, and stretch the second side before securing each staple. Repeat this process on the top and bottom of the board. Stay three inches from the corner with your last staple. Fold the corner over to create uniform, tight corners and staple them in place.
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6
Trim any excess canvas using a hobby knife. The excess canvas will be any canvas that extends beyond the sides of the hardboard after the canvas has been pressed to the edges. Wipe off any excess glue using a clean, damp cloth.
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Turn the board and canvas over again, so the canvas is face-down. Place it face-down on a flat surface, such as a dining room table, so that the entire front of the canvas is pressed against the board. Add heavy books to the back of the board to press the canvas into the board. Leave the mounted canvas for at least 12 hours.
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8
Cut a piece of heavy brown paper that is slightly smaller than the back of the board. Apply glue to the back of the board and position the brown paper on the board. Roll out any air bubbles and creases. This added paper will prevent your board from warping, because you are mounting a large painting. Cut a hole where the previously drilled hanging holes are located. Remove any excess glue with a damp cloth, but do not get the paper wet.
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Turn the board over, place books on top of it and let it rest for at least 12 hours to allow the glue to dry completely.
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Tips & Warnings
Test your skills with scrap canvas and wood.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
