How to Mount a Stretched Canvas

Framing a canvas is expensive if done professionally. The difficult part of dealing with art canvas is the stretching. Once stretched, mounting the canvas into a frame completes the picture. The process requires remarkably little effort or time. A canvas properly stretched does not need anything but a standard frame. There is no matting or glass to cut. The whole process should not take more than 20 minutes to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Wood frame
• Four offset clips and screws
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Lay the picture frame face down on a hard surface such as a table.

2. Set the stretched canvas on top of the frame.

3. Secure one corner with an offset clip. An offset clip is a metal piece that works as a small shelf for the canvas. The clip has one end that attaches to the frame with a screw and one end that clips around the canvas. Offset clips with screws can be purchased at craft or art stores. Place the end with the screw hole onto the corner of the frame, inward so the clip portion overlaps onto the stretcher bar of the canvas, securing it.

4. Use a drill to install the screw through the hole in the clip.

5. Repeat the process on all four corners of the frame.

References

• Beyond Dream: How to Stretch and Frame Canvas Oil Paintings