How to Mount Canvas on Stretcher Frames

Canvas on a stretcher frame is a traditional painting support.

Canvas stretched over a wooden frame is one of the oldest types of painting supports. The stretchers are lightweight, and the canvas provides just the right amount of flex for painting. You don't need any special tools besides a staple gun to mount a canvas on a frame. Get a staple gun that is the right size for your hand that you can operate with one hand while the other is holding the canvas in place. You don't need the super heavy duty model; thinner staples will hold the canvas just fine. Canvas pliers are useful for more leverage but not required.

Things You'll Need

• Stretcher frame
• Canvas
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Staple gun
• Canvas pliers (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the canvas to the size of the stretchers with enough extra to fit around the stretcher plus at least an extra inch on the back. If your stretcher frame is 20 inches by 24 inches and 1 inch deep, your canvas should be 24 inches by 28 inches.

2. Lay the canvas on a flat surface, and place the stretcher frame in the middle of the canvas. There is a ridge on the outside edge of the front of the stretcher frame to elevate the canvas off the frame once it is stretched. It should be face down on the canvas.

3. Wrap the canvas around the edge of the stretcher frame in the center of one of the sides, and use the staple gun to staple the canvas to the back of the frame.

4. Do the same on side opposite, pulling gently to tighten the canvas a little.

5. Repeat this process on the third and fourth sides, pulling the canvas taut. Pull enough to make the canvas flat in the center, but not too tight.

6. Go around your canvas, pulling with more force now that you have resistance on all sides. The canvas pliers might come in handy if you are having trouble pulling out wrinkles. Work your way from side to side until you get to the corners.

7. Fold the corners back like the corners on a gift-wrapped box, and staple to the back of the frame.

References

• "The Artist's Handbook"; Ralph Mayer; 1991
• Indiana University Southeast: Stretching Canvas