How To Frame A Painting On Canvas: DIY Steps Made Easy

Yes, you absolutely can frame a painting on canvas yourself! Framing your artwork not only protects it but also elevates its presentation, turning a beautiful piece into a stunning focal point in any room. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right materials to the final touches, making DIY picture frames accessible even for beginners.

Why Frame Your Canvas?

Framing a canvas painting is more than just adding a border; it’s about preserving your art, enhancing its visual appeal, and making a statement. A well-chosen frame can complement the colors and style of the painting, adding depth and context. It also provides a protective barrier against dust, UV rays (especially with UV-protective glass), and accidental damage. For artists and art enthusiasts, framing is a crucial step in presenting work professionally, whether for exhibition, sale, or simply for personal enjoyment.

Preparing Your Canvas: The Foundation of Framing

Before you can even think about a frame, your canvas needs to be ready. This often involves canvas stretching, especially if your artwork is on a loose canvas that hasn’t been stretched yet.

Canvas Stretching: Getting That Tight Surface

Canvas stretching is the process of pulling a piece of raw canvas taut over a wooden stretcher bar frame and securing it. This creates a stable surface for painting and a clean edge for framing.

Materials for Canvas Stretching:

Pre-stretched canvas: If you bought a pre-stretched canvas, you can skip this step.
Raw canvas: You’ll need to buy canvas by the yard if you’re stretching your own.
Wood stretcher bars: These are wooden strips that form the internal frame. They often have a rabbet (a groove) where the canvas will sit. You can buy them pre-cut or in longer lengths to cut yourself. Make sure they are long enough for your painting.
Staple gun: A heavy-duty staple gun is essential.
Staples: Heavy-duty staples that match your staple gun.
Canvas pliers: These are specialized pliers that grip the canvas and allow you to pull it taut.
Scissors or a utility knife: For cutting the canvas.
Measuring tape: For accurate measurements.

Steps for Canvas Stretching:

Measure and Cut: Lay your raw canvas flat, face down. Place your stretcher bars on top in a rectangle, ensuring the beveled edges are facing down. Measure your canvas, adding about 2-3 inches extra on each side for wrapping. Cut the canvas to size.
Assemble the Stretcher Bars: If you bought stretcher bars in lengths, you’ll need to join them at the corners. They usually have interlocking joints for a secure fit.
Center the Canvas: Place the stretcher frame onto the back of the canvas, ensuring it’s centered.
Begin Stapling: Start by placing a staple in the middle of one side, on the back of the stretcher bar.
Pull and Staple Opposite Side: Move to the opposite side. Using canvas pliers, grip the canvas and pull it very taut. Fold the excess canvas over the stretcher bar and secure it with a staple in the middle.
Continue Around: Move to the next side, pull the canvas taut with the pliers, fold, and staple. Then, do the same for the final side.
Work Towards Corners: Once the middles of all four sides are secured, work your way towards the corners. Pull the canvas taut and place staples every inch or so along the edge.
Fold the Corners: For a neat finish, you’ll need to fold the corners. Imagine folding a gift. Pull the canvas taut at the corner, create a neat fold, and staple securely. Trim any excess canvas if needed.

Canvas mounting techniques for existing paintings:

If your painting is already on a stretched canvas and you’re not adding a new frame around it (e.g., for a “float frame”), these canvas mounting techniques are key.

Float Framing: Creating Space for a Modern Look

Float frames are popular because they make the canvas appear to “float” within the frame, leaving a small gap around the edges. This is ideal for canvases that have painted edges or gallery-wrapped sides.

Materials for Float Framing:

Canvas: Your finished painting on a stretched frame.
Float frame: These come in various styles and wood types, often with a pre-cut rabbet to accommodate the canvas and mounting brackets.
Small wood blocks or spacers: These are crucial for creating the “float” effect. They should be the same thickness as the gap you want between the canvas and the frame.
Screws: Short screws that won’t go through your stretcher bars.
Screwdriver or drill: To drive the screws.
Measuring tape: For precise placement.

Steps for Float Framing:

Measure Your Canvas: Measure the width and height of your stretched canvas, including the stretcher bars.
Choose Your Float Frame: Select a float frame that is slightly larger than your canvas, typically by about 1-2 inches in total (so 0.5-1 inch on each side). This creates the gap.
Attach Spacers to the Frame: The float frame usually has a recessed area. You’ll attach the small wood blocks (spacers) to the back of the frame’s inner lip. These spacers should be placed strategically to support the canvas and maintain the desired gap. The number and placement of spacers will depend on the size of your canvas and frame.
Position the Canvas: Carefully place your stretched canvas onto the attached spacers inside the frame. Ensure an even gap all around.
Secure the Canvas: From the back of the frame, use short screws to go through the frame’s lip and into the stretcher bars of your canvas. Make sure the screws are not too long and won’t pierce the front of your artwork.

Choosing Your Framing Style: Beyond the Basics

There are several painting framing methods to consider, each offering a different aesthetic.

Traditional Framing: The Classic Appeal

This is what most people think of when they imagine a framed painting. It involves a frame that goes around the outer edges of the canvas or stretcher bars.

Materials for Traditional Framing:

Stretched canvas: Your painting on stretcher bars.
Frame molding: You can buy pre-cut frames or lengths of molding to cut yourself.
Glass or acrylic sheet: For protecting the painting’s surface. Choose UV-protective options for valuable or light-sensitive art.
Mat board (optional): For adding a border between the artwork and the frame, creating visual breathing room.
Backing board: A sturdy material like mat board or foam core to support the artwork.
Frame hardware: D-rings, wire, or sawtooth hangers for hanging.
Framing points or staples: To secure the artwork and backing into the frame.
Glue: For assembling corners if cutting your own molding.
Wood glue: For strengthening joints.
Miter box and saw: If you’re cutting your own molding.
Measuring tape: For accurate cuts.
Sandpaper: For smoothing edges.
Corner clamps (optional): To hold mitered corners while gluing.

DIY Picture Frames from Molding: A Step-by-Step Guide

This is where you can truly personalize your framing.

Measure Your Canvas: Measure the outside dimensions of your stretched canvas (height and width).
Select Your Molding: Choose a wood molding that complements your artwork and desired style. Consider the width and depth of the molding.
Calculate Frame Dimensions: For a traditional frame, you’ll need to cut four pieces of molding.
- For the two longer sides, the length will be the width of your canvas plus twice the width of your molding.
- For the two shorter sides, the length will be the height of your canvas plus twice the width of your molding.
- Important: This calculation assumes the back of the frame has a rabbet where the canvas sits flush. If the frame sits around the canvas, you’ll adjust.
Cut the Molding:
- Use a miter box and saw to cut each end of your molding at a 45-degree angle.
- Measure carefully to ensure your inside dimensions match your canvas. You can also measure by holding the molding against your canvas and marking the cut lines directly.
Assemble the Frame:
- Apply wood glue to the mitered edges.
- Hold the corners together and secure them. You can use framing points, staples driven from the side, or even small nails. Corner clamps can help keep everything aligned while the glue dries.
Prepare the Frame for the Canvas:
- If your molding doesn’t have a rabbet, you’ll need to create one or use small wood strips on the back of the frame to hold the canvas in place.
- Ensure the inside dimensions of the frame are slightly larger than your canvas to allow for easy insertion.
Insert the Canvas:
- Place your stretched canvas into the frame, ensuring it’s centered.
- Use framing points or small staples to secure the canvas to the back of the frame. These should be inserted into the stretcher bars, not the canvas itself.
Add Backing and Hardware:
- Cut a piece of backing board (mat board or foam core) to fit the back of the frame.
- Secure the backing board with more framing points or staples.
- Attach hanging hardware (D-rings and wire, or a sawtooth hanger) to the back of the frame, ensuring it’s centered.

Gallery wrap framing: A Seamless Look

Gallery wrap framing is when the canvas is stretched so that the image continues around the sides of the stretcher bars, creating a clean, borderless look. This style often doesn’t require a traditional frame and can be hung as is, or it can be displayed within a float frame.

Considerations for Gallery Wrap:

Painted Edges: If you intend to gallery wrap, ensure your painting extends to the edges of the canvas and that the sides are either painted or left blank as part of the design.
Stretcher Bar Depth: Deeper stretcher bars (1.5″ or 2″) give a more substantial “gallery wrap” look compared to thinner bars.

Framing Your Painting: The Final Steps

Once your canvas is stretched and you have your frame ready, it’s time to put it all together.

Framing supplies for artists checklist:

Your stretched canvas painting.
Chosen frame (pre-made or DIY).
Glass or acrylic (optional, but recommended for protection).
Mat board and backing board (if using).
Staple gun and staples (for securing canvas to frame, especially in float frames).
Screws and screwdriver/drill (for float frames).
Framing points or brads and a hammer (for traditional frames).
D-rings, wire, or sawtooth hangers.
Measuring tape and pencil.
Gloves (to avoid fingerprints on glass/acrylic).
Cleaning cloths.

Securing canvas to frame: Best practices

The method for securing canvas to frame depends on the framing style:

Float Frame: Small wood blocks are glued or screwed to the inside of the frame, and the canvas (still on its stretcher bars) is then screwed into these blocks from the back of the frame. This creates the “float” effect.
Traditional Frame: The stretched canvas is placed within the frame’s rabbet. Small metal points or staples are hammered into the edge of the stretcher bar and then bent over to hold the canvas securely within the frame.
Canvas Mounted to Backing: For certain styles, the canvas might be attached directly to a backing board, and then the entire unit is placed into the frame. This is less common for traditional paintings but can be used for mixed media or modern interpretations.

Assembling Your Framed Artwork: A Detailed Walkthrough

Let’s assume you’re doing a traditional frame and want to include glass for maximum protection.

Preparing the Frame and Glass:

Clean the Glass/Acrylic: Carefully clean the glass or acrylic sheet with a lint-free cloth and glass cleaner.
Clean the Frame: Wipe down the inside of the frame to remove any dust or debris.

Placing the Artwork and Protective Layer:

Insert Glass: Carefully place the clean glass or acrylic sheet into the frame’s rabbet.
Add Mat Board (Optional): If you’re using a mat, place it over the glass, ensuring it’s centered. The mat opening should be slightly smaller than your artwork to create overlap and prevent the painting from falling through.
Position Your Canvas: Gently place your stretched canvas onto the mat board or directly onto the glass, ensuring it’s centered and the edges align as desired.

Securing canvas to frame: The final hold:

Use Framing Points or Brads: If using a traditional frame with a rabbet, use a framing tool to insert metal points or brads along the edge of the stretcher bar, driving them into the frame itself. This secures the canvas within the frame. Work your way around all four sides.
Alternatively, Use Staples: Some artists prefer to use a heavy-duty staple gun to staple the canvas directly to the back of the frame’s stretcher bars, but this is less common for finished framing and more for temporary holding or DIY budget options. Ensure staples don’t go through to the front.
Add Backing Board: Cut a piece of backing board (like acid-free mat board or foam core) to fit the back of the frame. This adds rigidity and protects the back of your artwork.
Secure the Backing Board: Use more framing points or staples to attach the backing board to the frame, further securing the entire assembly.

Attaching Hanging Hardware:

Placement is Key: Measure and mark the center point on the top edge of the frame for your hanging hardware.
For Sawtooth Hangers: Screw the sawtooth hanger directly into the center of the top edge of the frame.
For D-Rings and Wire: Screw D-rings into the sides of the frame, about one-third of the way down from the top. Thread picture wire through the D-rings and twist to secure. Ensure the wire is taut enough to hold the painting securely but has a little give so it doesn’t pull the frame out of shape.

Custom Art Framing vs. DIY: When to Choose What

While DIY framing can save money and offer a rewarding experience, sometimes custom art framing is the best option.

Feature	DIY Framing	Custom Art Framing
Cost	Generally lower	Higher
Time Investment	Significant (cutting, assembly, finishing)	Less for you; professionals handle it
Skill Level	Requires basic tool use and patience	No skill required from you
Material Choice	Limited by what you can easily source and work with	Vast selection of moldings, mats, glass, etc.
Customization	Good, but can be limited by tools and skill	Unlimited options tailored to your art
Quality	Varies based on skill and materials	Usually high quality, professional finish
Expertise	You are the expert	Professionals offer expert advice on presentation

When to consider DIY:

You’re on a budget.
You enjoy hands-on projects.
The artwork is not extremely valuable or irreplaceable.
You’re experimenting with styles and want to learn.

When to consider Custom Art Framing:

The artwork is valuable, sentimental, or irreplaceable.
You want a highly professional and polished look.
You require special materials like archival matting or UV-protective glass.
You want unique or complex framing designs that are difficult to achieve with DIY tools.
You lack the time or inclination for DIY.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do I need glass for a canvas painting?

It’s not always necessary, especially for textured oil paintings. However, glass or acrylic provides protection against dust, moisture, and physical damage. For acrylic paintings or prints on canvas, glass is highly recommended.

Q2: What’s the difference between a frame and a stretcher bar?

A stretcher bar is the wooden cross-frame over which the canvas is stretched. A frame is an outer decorative border that goes around the stretched canvas.

Q3: Can I frame a canvas without stretching it first?

While you can technically attach a loose canvas to a backing and then into a frame, it’s not ideal. Canvas stretching provides the necessary tension and a clean edge, making it much easier and more professional to frame. Loose canvas can sag and wrinkle, compromising the final look.

Q4: How do I clean a framed canvas?

For framed canvases with glass, clean the glass as you would any window. For the canvas itself (if unframed or if you need to clean the surface), use a soft, dry brush or a specialized art cleaning brush to gently whisk away dust. Avoid using liquids or abrasive cleaners.

Q5: What are “gallery wrap” canvases?

Gallery wrap refers to canvas mounting techniques where the canvas is stretched and the artwork or color continues around the sides of the stretcher bars, giving a clean, borderless look that can be hung without a frame or with a special “float” frame.

Q6: What is a “float frame”?

A float frame makes the canvas appear to “float” within the frame, with a small gap between the edges of the canvas and the frame itself. This is a popular choice for gallery-wrapped canvases.

Q7: How do I choose the right frame for my painting?

Consider the style of the artwork, the colors used, the subject matter, and the room where it will be displayed. A minimalist painting might suit a simple, clean frame, while a traditional portrait could call for a more ornate frame. The frame should complement, not overpower, the artwork.

Q8: What are the essential framing supplies for artists?

Key supplies include stretcher bars, canvas, staple gun, canvas pliers (for stretching), frame molding, glass or acrylic, backing board, framing points or staples, hanging hardware, measuring tape, and cleaning supplies.

By following these steps, you can confidently frame your canvas paintings, enhancing their beauty and ensuring their longevity. Whether you opt for the classic look of a traditional frame or the modern appeal of a float frame, the process is achievable with a little patience and the right approach.