Can you frame rolled canvas art yourself? Yes, you absolutely can frame rolled canvas art yourself, and this guide will show you how! This comprehensive DIY tutorial is designed to help you transform that carefully rolled masterpiece into a beautifully framed piece of art, ready to adorn your walls. We’ll cover everything from the initial preparation to the final touches, making custom canvas framing accessible and rewarding for everyone.
Image Source: plankandpillow.com
Why Frame Rolled Canvas Art?
Rolled canvas art arrives conveniently packaged for shipping, but once unrolled, it needs protection and a polished presentation. Framing not only mounts rolled canvas for display in a visually appealing way but also safeguards it from dust, UV damage, and accidental tears. It elevates your artwork, turning a simple rolled print or painting into a statement piece that complements your home décor. For those who love the idea of gallery wrap canvas, framing can further enhance this aesthetic by providing a clean, finished edge.
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
Before you begin the canvas framing techniques, gather your canvas framing supplies. Having everything at hand ensures a smooth and efficient process.
Essential Tools and Materials
- Your Rolled Canvas Art: Unroll it carefully on a clean, flat surface.
- Stretcher Bars: These are wooden bars specifically designed for stretching canvas. Ensure they are the correct size for your artwork. They often come in sets with interlocking corners or pre-drilled holes.
- Staple Gun and Staples: A heavy-duty staple gun with 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch staples is ideal for securing the canvas.
- Canvas Stretching Tools: A canvas stretcher/pliers is crucial. This tool helps you pull the canvas taut for a professional, drum-like finish.
- Hammer: To gently tap in staples if they don’t go in fully.
- Measuring Tape: For accurate sizing of stretcher bars and canvas.
- Craft Knife or Scissors: For trimming excess canvas.
- Optional: Corner Protectors/Cardboard: To protect the canvas corners during stretching.
- Optional: Dust Sheet or Drop Cloth: To protect your work surface.
- Optional: Level: To ensure your framed art hangs straight.
- Optional: Hanging Hardware: D-rings, picture wire, or sawtooth hangers, depending on how you plan to hang your art.
Choosing the Right Stretcher Bars
The size of your stretcher bars is critical. They should match the exact dimensions of your canvas image. If your canvas has extra bleed area, the stretcher bars should be sized to accommodate this, allowing for the canvas to be wrapped around the sides.
Table 1: Stretcher Bar Sizing Guide
| Canvas Size (Width x Height) | Recommended Stretcher Bar Set Size (Width x Height) |
|---|---|
| 16″ x 20″ | 16″ x 20″ |
| 24″ x 36″ | 24″ x 36″ |
| 30″ x 40″ | 30″ x 40″ |
Note: Always measure your canvas precisely before purchasing stretcher bars. Some canvases may have a border that needs to be considered.
Step-by-Step Guide to Framing Rolled Canvas Art
This section breaks down the entire process, from preparing your canvas to hanging the finished piece.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Lay down a dust sheet or drop cloth on a large, clean, and flat surface. This protects your floor and your artwork. Make sure you have enough space to comfortably work with the canvas.
Step 2: Unroll and Inspect Your Canvas
Carefully unroll your canvas. Place it face up on your protected surface. Let it lie flat for a while to relax any creases from being rolled. Inspect the canvas for any damage or imperfections.
Step 3: Assemble the Stretcher Bars
Most stretcher bars come in pieces that interlock. Slide the notched ends together. If your bars have pre-drilled holes and screws, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly. Ensure the bars are aligned and form a sturdy rectangular frame.
Step 4: Position the Canvas on the Stretcher Bars
Place the assembled stretcher bars onto the back of the canvas, centered within the image area. The stretcher bars should sit on the backside of the canvas, with the frame’s surface flush against the wood. The canvas should be positioned so that there’s enough excess canvas on each side to wrap around the stretcher bars.
Step 5: Begin Stapling – The Corners
This is where the magic of canvas stretching tools comes into play. Start with one corner.
- Pull the canvas taut over the corner of the stretcher bar using your canvas pliers.
- Fold the excess canvas neatly over the back of the stretcher bar.
- Secure it with 2-3 staples using your staple gun. Use firm, consistent pressure.
- Move to the opposite corner. Pull the canvas across the frame diagonally, ensuring it’s taut, and staple it in place. This diagonal pulling is key to achieving a tight, wrinkle-free finish.
Step 6: Stapling the Sides
Now, work your way along the sides.
- Starting from a corner you’ve already stapled, pull the canvas taut across the edge of the stretcher bar using your pliers.
- Fold the canvas over the back and staple it.
- Work your way down the side, pulling and stapling every 2-3 inches. Maintain even tension across the entire canvas.
- Repeat this process for all four sides. Ensure the canvas is pulled evenly to avoid sagging or puckering. The goal is a drum-like tension. This is a crucial part of how to mount rolled canvas professionally.
Step 7: Finishing the Corners (The “Hospital Fold”)
The corners are the most visible part of the stretching process and require a neat finish. This technique is often called the “hospital fold” or “envelope fold.”
- On each corner, you’ll have excess canvas. Carefully fold the excess fabric to create neat pleats or folds, ensuring the canvas lies flat against the back of the stretcher bar.
- Use your fingers to smooth and shape the folds.
- Staple the folded corner securely. Make sure no raw edges of the canvas are visible from the front.
Step 8: Trim Excess Canvas
Once the canvas is securely stapled all around, use a craft knife or sharp scissors to trim away any excess canvas hanging from the back. Leave a small margin to prevent staples from coming loose.
Step 9: Mounting Canvas for Display – Adding Hanging Hardware
Your canvas is now stretched and ready for hanging. The method you choose depends on the weight of the canvas and your preference.
- Sawtooth Hangers: Ideal for lighter canvases. They attach to the center of the top stretcher bar.
- D-Rings and Picture Wire: Suitable for heavier canvases. Attach D-rings to the sides of the stretcher bars, about one-third of the way down from the top. Then, attach picture wire to the D-rings, leaving some slack.
Step 10: Framing the Stretched Canvas (Optional, but Recommended)
While a gallery wrap canvas can be displayed as is, adding an outer frame can provide a more polished and finished look. This is where canvas framing techniques get more diverse. You can opt for a simple floater frame, a traditional picture frame, or even a minimalist gallery frame.
Framing with a Floater Frame
Floater frames are popular because they create a visually appealing gap between the canvas and the frame, giving the impression that the artwork is “floating.”
- Measure: Measure the depth of your stretched canvas.
- Select Frame: Choose a floater frame that is slightly larger than your canvas dimensions, typically by about 1/2 inch to 1 inch on each side. Ensure the frame’s rabbet (the groove where the artwork sits) is deep enough to accommodate your stretched canvas.
- Attach Canvas to Frame: Most floater frames come with small brackets or wood strips. These are usually attached to the back of the stretcher bars and then into the floater frame. This method keeps the frame from touching the sides of the canvas.
- Secure: Position your stretched canvas within the floater frame. Attach the provided mounting brackets to the back of the stretcher bars, screwing them into the wood. Then, secure these brackets to the corresponding points on the floater frame. Ensure it’s centered and snug.
Framing with a Traditional Frame
A traditional frame offers a more classic look.
- Measure: Measure the outside dimensions of your stretched canvas.
- Select Frame: Choose a frame that is slightly larger than your stretched canvas. The frame’s opening should be the same size as your canvas, and the rabbet depth should be sufficient for the canvas depth.
- Fit Canvas: Carefully place the stretched canvas into the frame’s rabbet.
- Secure: Use glazier’s points or small staples to secure the canvas to the back of the frame. Work your way around, ensuring the canvas is held firmly in place and remains centered.
- Backing Board (Optional): For added stability and protection, you can add a backing board (like foam core or matboard) to the back of the frame, secured with tape or staples.
Popular Framing Options for Rolled Canvas Art
When considering custom canvas framing, think about the style of your artwork and your home décor.
- Gallery Wrap Canvas: This is where the canvas is stretched so that the image wraps around the sides of the stretcher bars, creating a clean, finished look with no staples visible from the front. This is often the preferred method for modern art and minimalist aesthetics.
- Traditional Framing: Using a classic picture frame with a mat or without can provide a more formal and elegant presentation.
- Floater Frames: As mentioned, these offer a contemporary look, highlighting the artwork without obscuring its edges.
- Canvas Mats: Some companies offer pre-cut mats specifically designed for canvas, providing a traditional framed appearance without needing to stretch the canvas first. However, for rolled canvas, stretching is usually required.
- Deep-Set Frames: These frames provide extra space between the canvas and the glass (if used), adding dimension and depth to the artwork.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful planning, you might encounter minor issues. Here’s how to deal with them:
Wrinkles or Sagging Canvas
- Cause: Insufficient tension during stretching.
- Solution: If the canvas is only slightly loose, you might be able to carefully re-stretch and add a few more staples, pulling harder with your pliers. For significant sagging, you may need to remove staples and re-stretch the entire piece. Sometimes, a little steam applied very cautiously to the back of the canvas can help relax the fibers, allowing for a tighter pull.
Loose Staples
- Cause: Staples not driven in fully or canvas too thick.
- Solution: Gently tap loose staples with a hammer. If the staple won’t go in, try a longer staple or a staple gun with more power.
Uneven Corners
- Cause: Inconsistent pulling or folding.
- Solution: Carefully un-staple the corner and re-fold it, ensuring neat pleats and tight wrapping. It might take a few tries to get it perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need to stretch the canvas before framing?
A1: Yes, for most framing methods, especially if you want a professional finish or a gallery wrap canvas look, you will need to stretch the canvas onto stretcher bars first. This provides a rigid surface for framing.
Q2: What are the best canvas stretching tools?
A2: The most important tool is a good quality canvas stretcher (also called canvas pliers). This tool grips the canvas and allows you to pull it taut. A heavy-duty staple gun is also essential.
Q3: Can I frame a canvas without stretching it?
A3: While not ideal for a professional finish, you can sometimes adhere a canvas to a backing board and then frame it, or use specialized canvas framing kits that don’t require stretching. However, stretching provides the best result for longevity and presentation. This guide focuses on the stretching and framing method.
Q4: How do I protect my canvas after framing?
A4: If your frame includes a glass or acrylic front, this offers protection. If not, avoid hanging the artwork in direct sunlight, as UV rays can fade colors. Dust it gently with a soft, dry cloth regularly.
Q5: How tight should the canvas be when stretching?
A5: The canvas should be taut like a drum. When you tap it, it should have a firm, resonant sound. Too loose, and it will sag; too tight, and you risk tearing the canvas.
Q6: What if my canvas has texture or thick paint?
A6: For canvases with heavy texture or impasto (thick paint), be extra gentle during stretching. You might need to use longer staples and be careful not to damage the paint. Some artists prefer to have these pieces professionally stretched to avoid any risk.
Q7: What is the difference between stretching and framing?
A7: Stretching is the process of mounting the canvas onto wooden stretcher bars to create a taut surface. Framing is the act of adding a decorative border around this stretched canvas for presentation and protection. Both are important steps in mounting rolled canvas for display.
Q8: Can I frame a rolled canvas print?
A8: Absolutely! This DIY guide is perfect for rolled canvas prints as well as original paintings. The principles of stretching and framing are the same.
Q9: Where can I find canvas framing supplies?
A9: Art supply stores, framing shops, and online retailers are excellent sources for stretcher bars, staple guns, canvas pliers, and various types of frames.
Q10: What is the goal of DIY canvas framing?
A10: The goal of DIY canvas framing is to save money, gain creative control over the final look, and enjoy the satisfaction of transforming your artwork from a simple roll into a beautifully presented piece.
Conclusion
How to frame rolled canvas art doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these steps, gathering the right canvas framing supplies, and utilizing canvas stretching tools, you can achieve professional-looking results right at home. Whether you’re aiming for a clean gallery wrap canvas or opting for a more traditional frame, this DIY guide empowers you to showcase your art with pride. Enjoy the process of stretching canvas and discovering the satisfaction of custom canvas framing!