Hand-stretched canvas
Our canvases are stretched by hand over 36mm bars. It is an old, simple craft, and once you know what good stretching looks like you can judge any canvas in a few seconds.
How it is done.
The basic method has barely changed in centuries, and painters still work the same way.
- The bars are joined into a square, true frame.
- The printed canvas lies face down, and the frame is set on top, with the image lined up against it.
- The canvas is pulled over a long side and fixed at the centre, then the same is done on the opposite side.
- The same happens on the two short sides, so the tension meets in the middle.
- Work continues out from the centre of each side towards the corners, moving between opposite sides, so that the pull stays even.
- The corners are folded last, neatly, like the end of a parcel.
The reason to do this by hand is judgement. Printed canvas has an image that must stay square to the frame, so a person can feel the tension and see where the picture is going as it tightens.
What good looks like.
| Look at | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Front | Taut, flat, and gives slightly when pressed | Ripples, or a soft belly in the middle |
| Sides | Image lines run straight round the edge | Horizon or border drifts up or down |
| Corners | Crisp, flat folds, equal on each corner | Bulky bunches or torn material |
| Back | Even fixings and a square frame | Wandering staples, or a rocking frame |
| On a flat surface | All four corners touch | One corner lifts, showing a twist |
Living with a stretched canvas.
Canvas responds to its surroundings, and changes in humidity can slacken or tighten it a little. A slight softness in a damp spell is normal, and it often eases back on its own. Avoid hanging one over a radiator or in a steamy room, and do not lean anything against the front, as a corner pressed into the surface can leave a dent. Our page on looking after a printed canvas covers cleaning and storage.
Stretched, or left rolled?
A stretched canvas comes ready for the wall. If you are sending prints a long way, a rolled canvas is far easier to ship, and stretching can happen at the other end. Canvas stretching and framing are available on request.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| A0 | £119.00 |
| A1 | £79.00 |
| A2 | £59.00 |
| A3 | £49.00 |
| A4 | £40.00 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
For why those bars are the depth they are, see canvas stretched over 36mm bars. If your file needs to reach round the edges, wrapped edge prints shows how much extra image to allow.
Canvas close to.
Your questions.
Can you stretch a canvas printed somewhere else?
Canvas stretching is available on request. Tell us the size and how much spare material there is around the image, as it needs enough to wrap.
Can you re-stretch an old painting?
Ask us first. A valuable or fragile painting may need a conservator, not a print workshop.
Why does my canvas sound like a drum?
A tight canvas does sound a little like one, and that is normal. Do not press it hard, though, as that can leave a mark in the surface.