Buying canvas in a roll is a good opportunity to save on the cost of the product itself and on its shipping. From us you can purchase paintings both in rolls and on a stretcher. In the first case, even the shipping itself is much cheaper.

But the canvas cannot be hung on the wall just like that, without a stretcher. It is the stretcher that holds the canvas in a well-stretched state. To ensure that the canvas does not sag and the painting retains its attractive appearance, we suggest using the following instructions.

How to stretch fabric onto a stretcher

The following materials will be required:

• subframe made of slats;
• crosses needed to eliminate distortions and deflections of the main bars, as well as increase the strength of the structure;
• set of staples for stapler.

You will also need the following tools:

• regular roulette;
• hammer (especially if you plan to use nails);
• wood stapler
• special tool for tensioning.

In general, there are two types of stretching and it depends on you which one you have to give preference to: gallery or classic. The first involves frameless design, when the canvas is stretched so that the image continues on the sides. I must say that if it is fixed on the back side of the stretcher and neatly wrapped in the corners, then everything looks great even without a frame. Therefore, today this method is considered very stylish and modern. This kind of design can be found quite often.

There is also a classic type of stretching, when the ends remain white, and the picture itself is prepared for a baguette frame. Like everything classic, this method will always be popular. In any case, it is important that the frame is made exactly to the size of the canvas, and that the timber is dry, without cracks or knots. The fibers should be directed lengthwise.

Size matters

In modular versions of the subframe, the slats are moved apart using wedges, which are made from dry hardwood. There are main slats that have external chamfers, and their internal bevel is approximately five degrees, which protects the image from damage.

The stretchers are strengthened with crosses, and then, so that the canvas does not come into contact with them, the picture is fastened to the main slats at a distance of 5 mm from the plane of the canvas. The ratio of the thickness and width of the stretcher slats can be different - it depends on the size of the larger side of the picture.

Almost 200 years ago, standard sizes for paintings appeared, thanks to which they can be classified. All formats are divided into three groups. For example, the most elongated format is called “marina”, a rectangle that approaches a square is called a “figure”, and “landscape” is the average type of format.

There are also markings that depend on the length of the longer side. For example, sizes 16x54 are called 15F, sizes 65x50 are called 15P, and 65x46 is a format numbered 15M. There are a total of 50 international sizes that fall within the listed standards. The standard row of paintings also corresponds to the standard dimensions of the stretcher frames.

Steps to success

Step-by-step instructions depend on which subframe you are using. If it is modular, then you will need to follow several steps described below.

1. Measure the diagonals of the subframe. If they are the same, then you can staple the corners using two staples for each corner. In order for the staples to be driven in well, the stapler must be pressed well and then driven in. It may happen that the staple is not driven in - then you need to twist the round knob on top and thus adjust the stapler. Nails can be used instead of staples. Only they cannot be hammered in completely. You need to hit it obliquely to bend the head to one side, and then the canvas will not fly off the nails in the future. To make sure everything is done symmetrically, after the first staple or nail, turn the canvas upside down, pull it a little and hammer it right in the middle of the opposite side.
2. Place the design evenly on the stretcher so that the threads of the canvas are parallel to the edges of the stretcher.
3. Using a special tool, staple the canvas on all sides. There is also a faster option: wrap the stretcher in canvas and, stretching it quite tightly, drive a staple in the center.
4. Secure the canvas with a stapler every two to three centimeters, moving from the center to the edge. It is necessary that the tool is tensioned with the same force. After this, continue to stretch the canvas, carefully tucking it at the corners and shooting it with a stapler.
5. Pull out the brackets that hold the corners of the subframe together. Fold and staple the remaining excess canvas.
6. Insert two wooden wedges each into the slots at the corners of the subframe and tap them with a hammer, but carefully.

If you stretch the canvas onto a blind stretcher, then you need to do everything as indicated in the first paragraphs for a modular stretcher. It is important that the canvas is stretched by the tool with the same force and quite strongly. This is necessary, because if the canvas sags, you will have to re-tighten it again. The canvas is also folded at the corners and the stapler is adjusted. Then the excess canvas that you will still need is folded and secured.

The subframe can be secured to the frame using metal corners 13 mm wide and 10 mm high. The corners can be mounted on a subframe or on a frame (depending on whose height is greater - the subframe or the frame). If the subframe protrudes above the level of the baguette, then you can use D-shaped plates to secure it. You can also use Z-shaped brackets (for example, to fasten double frames), which are attached to the frame with screws.

You can watch the process of stretching canvas onto a stretcher using the gallery method in the following video:

Primary requirements

1. Uniformity. The main requirement is not to distort the picture, so as not to distort its position. You also need to distribute it as evenly as possible across width and height;
2. The frame frame should not sit tightly on the subframe. Otherwise, due to changes in temperature and humidity, the dimensions of the baguette will change, and it will begin to put pressure on the stretcher, which is why the canvas will then sag unsightly.

There is another way

The stretcher is a very important part of the painting, but stretching the canvas onto the stretcher yourself is an option for the handy and economical. If you don’t want to waste time or you doubt your abilities, then you can purchase the painting already on a stretcher. The masters will do this for you and their level of professionalism will ensure the tension of the required quality, and you will be able to immediately hang the purchased picture on the wall.

15.03.2016

How to properly stretch canvas onto a stretcher

SUBFRAMES

The stretcher serves as the basis for stretching the canvas. There are 2 types of stretchers: modular(prefabricated, wedge) and deaf.
Modular (prefabricated, wedge) stretchers can be bought in almost all art stores. They are sold in slats of 2 pieces (in increments of 5 cm in length) and are slightly more expensive than blind stretchers. As a rule, for a medium-sized painting, the thickness of the stretcher is 1.8 cm.
Modular stretchers have a huge advantage: their corners are not rigidly fastened and if the picture sag, you can fix everything at home, you just need to knock out the wedges. This must be done very carefully so as not to damage the canvas with a hammer or overtighten it.
In blind stretchers, the corners are rigidly connected and if the canvas sag, it will have to be re-stretched. Canvas reupholstery should only be done by a specialist!

STRETCHER AND PRESERVATION OF THE PICTURE

A low-quality stretcher negatively affects the preservation of the painting. Paintings by modern painters very often have bad stretchers. Unfortunately, not all artists attach great importance to the quality of the stretcher. Defects in the stretcher do not allow the canvas to be properly stretched over it, which ultimately leads to the destruction of the soil and the painting layer of the painting. A high-quality stretcher is the basis for the long-term preservation of paintings.

LET'S CONSIDER THE MAIN DEFECTS OF THE SUBFRAME:

§ blind connection of corners, which does not make it possible to regulate the tension of the canvas, which causes deformation of the canvas and its sagging

§ Artists nail plywood triangles to the “blind” corners of the subframe, which make the subframe even more rigid and motionless

§ absence of a cross or crossbar - for large-sized paintings. A subframe with a cross or crossbar will not warp and the corners will remain straight

§ absence of bevels on the inner sides of the subframe, which causes creases and screes of the paint layer

§ a fragile stretcher that distorts when stretching the canvas

§ step-like, loose connection of planks at the corners and on the cross. With this defect, the canvas is deformed, creases and screes of the paint layer appear and it is impossible to tightly connect the painting to the frame

§ the subframe is made carelessly, from raw wood, as a result of which, after a fairly short period of time, the subframe will “lead” and will have to be replaced (in some cases the frame also has to be replaced)

§ the subframe is made of wood with knots. Even a well-made subframe that has knots will eventually “lead” and will have to be replaced

§ stretcher with grinder beetle. Thanks to the activity of these insects, the tree disintegrates, turning into dust

§ the subframe is infected with mold

STRETCHING CANVAS ON A MODULAR STRETCHER

§ Measure the diagonals of the subframe, they should be the same!!! Secure the corners with a stapler (2 staples per corner)

§ Place the painting on the stretcher exactly horizontally. If you simply have unprimed canvas, it is important to position it so that the direction of the canvas threads is parallel to the edges of the stretcher

§ Using a stretching tool, staple the canvas on 4 sides as shown in the picture.

§ Secure the canvas with a stapler every 2-3 cm around the entire perimeter of the stretcher, moving from the center to the edge, as shown in the figure.

§ You need to stretch the canvas with a tool to stretch the paintings evenly with the same force

§ Continue stretching the canvas onto the stretcher as shown in the picture. At the corners, the canvas is carefully tucked and stapled

§ When stretching, do not wet the canvas on the unprimed side, this can lead to peeling of the primer!! So let's start! .

Stretching canvas on a stretcher requires special skills and experience. It can be of two types: modular (wedge or prefabricated) and blind. A wide range of modules are sold in artist shops. They consist of two slats, the length of which is 5 cm. But at the same time, their cost is slightly higher than that of deaf ones. The modules have a peculiarity: the corners are not rigidly fixed, and if the canvas sag, the defect can be easily eliminated independently by wedging. The main thing is to do this carefully, trying not to damage the painting with a hammer or deform it, distorting the image. We recommend that you order from our specialists at an affordable price and in a short time.

Preservation of the art object and subframe

Stretching the canvas onto a frame, if done incorrectly, will negatively affect the safety of the piece of art. However, not everyone pays due attention to this point. A defective stretcher will not allow the canvas to fully stretch, which will lead to cracks in the ground and pictorial layers of the image.

What you encounter when buying a low-quality subframe:

• Corners that are tightly fastened do not allow tension adjustment, and as a result, deforming sagging of the canvas.
• Plywood triangles can be nailed to blind corners, which will make the subframe inconvenient to use.
• Pictures of impressive scale must be stretched using a cross. This will prevent the subframe from warping and bending corners.
• If there are no bevels on the back side of the stretcher, the canvas will begin to break, and layers of paint may crumble.
• Stretching the canvas onto a stretcher is a technologically labor-intensive process, so it is better to use a design with rounded points in contact with the painting. They are located on the front of the subframes.
• Unstable subframes become warped when tensioned.
• A weak connection of the corner strips leads to deformation of the canvas, creases and shedding of layers of paint. There is no way to fully connect the canvas and frame.

Sometimes you can find manufacturing defects in stores. These are subframes assembled from damp wood or with knots. Because of this, the foundation will definitely weaken and will have to be changed. And sometimes together with a deformed frame. But the biggest problem is the infestation of the subframe with colonies of the borer beetle. Thanks to it, the wood crumbles and becomes dust. Mold, which can lead to the same result, cannot be ruled out.

How is canvas stretched onto stretchers?

To perform all the steps correctly, you will need a production stapler, an auxiliary tool for stretching woven materials, a hammer and a measuring tape. Do not pull the canvas clean of primer too much, since it will still sag under the weight of the coating. Therefore, after the paint layer has dried, be sure to tamp down the wedges. Blind stretchers involve the use of exclusively primed canvas, and are stretched to the state of a ringing membrane.

Methods for stretching canvases on a stretcher:

• For modular ones: diagonals are measured, they must be identical. The corners are secured with staples (one staple per corner on each side). The image is positioned clearly horizontally. The canvas without primer is laid so that the weft threads run parallel to the edges of the stretcher. The canvas is attached on all sides. The bracket is placed in increments of 3 cm on each side of the perimeter; you need to move from the edges to the central part.

The fabric needs to be tucked in at the corners and secured with staples. It is strictly forbidden to wet the canvas on the side where there is no primer, as this will lead to delamination of the primer. After all the manipulations, remove the staples that secured the subframe at the corners. Excess parts of the canvas are carefully folded and secured. 2 wooden wedges are inserted into the grooves, they are carefully tapped.

• Stretching the canvas onto a blind stretcher. If there is no choice, then, as in the first option, the diagonals are measured first. Trim the canvas and secure it with staples on 4 sides. Attach the canvas in 3 cm increments around the entire perimeter, moving from the central part to the edges.

All other actions are performed in the same sequence as when pulling the picture onto the module, but in this case you won’t have to knock out the wedges, and there’s no need to cut off the excess canvas; it may well come in handy if the picture has to be pulled over.

The corners of the blind stretcher are connected rigidly and if the canvas sag, it will have to be tensioned again. And this process can only be entrusted to a specialist. For medium-sized paintings, a stretcher with slats thickness of 2 cm is suitable; if gallery stretching is necessary, 3 cm.

If a painting is expensive and important, you need to entrust its design to professionals. Attempts to save on their services and do everything yourself often lead to damage to the canvas, after which restoration is required, and this service is much more expensive. For our part, we guarantee careful treatment of objects of art, a loyal pricing policy and high-quality work. If the client wishes, the full range of framing and design services can be provided.

ART-RAMA specialists will stretch the canvas onto a stretcher in a short time. Our company has extensive experience in providing such services. We guarantee timely order fulfillment.

The stretcher is the base on which the canvas is stretched. The quality of the entire work and the durability of the painting directly depend on its quality. There are two types of subframes: modular and solid. The former are sold disassembled and consist of slats with grooves for connection at the corners, the latter are produced immediately in one piece.

Stretching canvas onto a modular stretcher is a fairly simple process. But such products can diverge and become deformed over time, so they are not so reliable. Installing the canvas on a solid stretcher is associated with a number of difficulties; such work can only be entrusted to a professional, but its quality and durability, if done correctly, are much higher.

The price of the tension depends on the type of subframe chosen. We have a wide range of these products at the best prices. Also, the cost of the service depends on the size of the painting.

When choosing a subframe yourself, it is important to pay attention to the absence of defects. There are many different problems that you have to face:

• blind connection of corners, inability to adjust the tension of the canvas;
• lack of crossbar or cross for large area canvases;
• there are no bevels on the inner sides of the product;
• low strength, poor manufacturing materials;
• low production quality;
• the presence of grinder beetles or mold.

Our company’s specialists will stretch canvas onto a stretcher of any quality, but the consequences of purchasing a product with the defects described above lie with the customer. We can offer high-quality products from our range or inspect the product brought by the client for problems.

Where to stretch canvas on a stretcher in Moscow?

Our company offers convenient terms of cooperation for each client:

• optimal prices for all services;
• specialists are able to stretch canvas onto a stretcher in a short time;
• wide range of subframes;
• convenient location of workshops in Moscow;
• high quality of work;
• Individual approach to each client, consultation on all issues of interest.

Making a baguette frame with your own hands is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.

However, be prepared to work a little and be patient, and also find answers to all your questions in advance,

For example,what material is better to choose or how to do it correctlystretch the canvasetc. Otherwise, the result of your work is unlikely to please you.

If you decide to design a baguette frame, then it is better to prepare all the necessary materials and tools in advance.

Take measurements in advance and calculate the required diameter of the frame, since you can only stretch the canvas by

stretcher of a certain size.

Tools and materials

Most often, a baguette frame is made from carved or painted planks.

The main materials can be selected: plastic, aluminum or wood. You will also need:

• stretcher;
• canvas of the required size;
• ruler;
• stapler;
• hammer;
• pencils or chalk for marking;
• stationery knives or scissors.

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The frame is manufactured in several stages, including preparatory work.

A stretcher for a painting can be purchased at a specialized store or made independently.

You also need to buy a canvas of the required size, or slightly larger, in advance.

It is important that the canvas is 15-20 cm larger than the stretcher in size (depending on the width of the frame).

Otherwise you will not be able to tension it correctly.

Many beginners who have no experience in making such decorative products are interested in the question of how to stretch canvas onto a stretcher.

The best option would be to purchase untreated canvas and then apply gesso to it after it has been stretched onto a stretcher.

This will simplify the work and help you get everything done as quickly and efficiently as possible. The work ahead of you will include the following stages:

The work is completed.