Custom Canvases: Canvas Stretcher Basics

Industrial & Manufacturing Blog

Pre-stretched canvases can be fairly expensive, depending on the quality, brand, size, and whether it is gallery wrapped. Often, framing using a canvas stretcher yourself is the least expensive route. When stretching canvas, there are many variables to consider, in order to have the most professional presentation. Some of those considerations are: • Type of Canvas: Canvas is the material typically stretched over the wooden bars known as 'stretchers', though some artists prefer linen. Canvas is available in a variety of weights and weaves -- the finest weave of canvas is generally considered best for portraits and very detailed paintings. Canvas with a rougher grain is suitable for a variety of techniques, including Impasto, Impressionism, and portraits. There are no distinct advantages to either type, other than personal preference. • Primed vs. Unprimed: Primed canvas has at least one coat of latex. Priming helps to protect the canvas. Oil paint will eat through canvases that are not protected by latex, and acrylic paint will absorb or bleed if unprimed. While Gesso is typically used to prime canvases, common household latex will work as well. • Stretchers: The wooden frame the canvas is stretched over is known as the 'stretchers', and generally, thicker stretchers are considered best, as stretchers under 1" warp easily. The thickest stretchers, called 'box' or '3D' stretchers are 3" thick. • Wraps: While traditional canvas wraps have staples visible on the sides, with Gallery Wrapping the staples are hidden on the reverse side. Traditionally wrapped canvases must be framed in order to display in a gallery. • Cost: Buying bulk pre-stretched canvases of the same size may be cost effective, but artists who paint on variously sized canvases, or canvases over 36" by 48" will save quite a bit of money just in shipping charge by using a canvas stretcher to create custom canvases.

4 June 2013