Here is a crash course on how to stretch your own canvas. It is my first step in the painting process and it saves me money. I like using heavy stretcher bars and linen canvas. These are simple instructions, email me if u have any specific questions. click image to enlarge or ‘start slideshow.’
How to stretch canvas
tools - hammer, staple gun, staples, canvas stretcher, music and patience.
heavy stretchers - hammer the sides in so the wood is firmly connected
staple the back edges
use backside of wood AND canvas (non-gessoed)
give some slack (about 3 in. extra) (ignore that horrible rip)
get rid of the rest (you don’t want too much slack, or it’ll make the stretching difficult)
staple first side - few staples
stretch canvas on opposite side - tight...
staple (a few)...
do the same with the other sides
after the first round, you will get a ‘diamond’ shape.
repeat the process, doing more on the longer sides, so you are stretching evenly.
remember to pull tight with the canvas stretcher so you don’t get wrinkled areas.
staple close to the ends, but not all the way.
here’s the ‘tough’ part..
pinch the corners together...
and fold over...
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...this might take a few tries to get right.
make sure you staple to finish
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and make sure all the ‘corners’ are on the same sides (ie: top or bottom, or left or right sides)
i like to hammer in the staples (through out the whole process) to make sure its nice and tight.
the canvas needs to be tight, with no wrinkle edges (mine is NOT perfect)..
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so i usually spray a bit of water on the back and rub it in...
allow it to dry, and this will tighten the canvas more and get rid of most wrinkles.
If you tighten the canvas well, you will not get wrinkles, and it’ll be tight as a drum
mine is a bit half ass plus i used old, super wrinkled canvas... but I hope this helps.
