Canvas printing
Give a photograph, illustration or artwork a textured canvas finish.
Canvas printing
Stretched canvas frames
Stretched canvas frames are the wooden bars that printed canvas is pulled tight around, and they shape the finished piece more than most people expect. This page helps photographers, artists and decorators choose depth, edges and hanging.
Slim bars or deep bars?
Bar depth sets the character of the piece. A slimmer profile sits close to the wall and suits smaller work or a canvas going into a separate frame. A deep profile stands proud and looks substantial on its own, which is why it is popular for gallery-style hanging without a frame. Bigger canvases generally look better on deeper bars, as a thin edge can seem weak against a wide image. Ask us what depths are available on your size, and see canvas printing for the print side.
What happens at the edges
Around 40 to 50mm of image can disappear around the sides on a deep bar, so a tightly cropped subject may lose a hand or a horizon. You have three main choices. A gallery wrap carries the image around the edge. A mirrored edge reflects the outer strip of the picture, which keeps the full front view. A solid colour edge gives a clean, graphic look. Whichever you prefer, leave the important parts of your image away from the outer border, and flag any crop that worries you.
Keeping big canvases flat and square
Larger canvases need more structure. A cross brace stops the long bars from bowing inward under tension, and it is worth asking about once you pass around a metre on a side. Wooden wedges, where fitted, can be tapped in later if the fabric slackens with changes in humidity. For hanging, use two fixings on heavier work so it stays level. Keep it clear of radiators and damp walls. To add a finished border, consider a float frame, and see fine art printing for related finishes.
Related topics
Useful to know
Your questions.
Can you restretch a canvas I already have?
Possibly. It depends on the condition of the canvas and whether enough spare material remains to fold around new bars. Tell us what you have, with photographs of the edges, and we'll give you an honest view.
Do stretched canvas frames come ready to hang?
Ask us when ordering, as this varies by size and depth. Larger pieces often need stronger fittings, so describe the wall and how you plan to hang the work.
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