Unframed paintings rarely
look good from the side. Anyone who paints or goes to art galleries has
probably noticed that the edges of the raw canvas look strikingly white against
the colourful, painted front. It looks worse when bits of colour are found on the
edges of the canvas during the painting process. This creates a design that is
jerking against the painted front.
The edges and edges of the
canvas have hardly mattered in the past, but framed paintings are in vogue
these days, as framing not only compliments a painting but also adds a layer
of superiority. This is where canvas stretching comes in.
A canvas stretching
significantly helps in this process. The canvas is ready for protection and
framing. Canvas stretching is the process of pulling a surface (made of cotton
or linen cloth) around a wooden frame. It is usually secured on the back,
although some prefer to secure it on the sides using staples, a metal strip, or
tack. Finally, the canvas is primed with an oil-based primer or acrylic gesso
and is ready to use.
Different Types of stretched canvas:
Traditional Wrap: The painting/image should
fit 3/4 of an inch wooden stretcher bar so that the canvas can be easily
installed into a frame. If you are using a traditional cover, it is recommended
to frame your painting/image, as the edges will show unpublished edges and
staples. Therefore it is necessary to cover them.
Gallery Wrap: This
type of stretched canvas is ready to hang. The canvas wraps around the bars, so
the staples are placed on the back and hidden. The sides are also fully
painted. It comes with a string on the back so that you are ready to hang them
as soon as you get a new painting.
Outsource:
Stretching canvas requires
proper skill so that the surface remains free of wrinkles. If you are not
familiar with the process, it is recommended to seek professional help to
stretch your canvas prints. Frame shops have trained professionals to create an
optimal visual effect. These shops provide canvas stretching services for new
and previously drawn artworks.
The biggest advantage of
outsourcing this work is that you are guaranteed a high standard, professional
stretching job. Stretching canvas involves a lot of problems and is often
challenging for an amateur. Just leave your canvas print at a frame shop and
the professionals there will take care of everything else. The next time you
see the artifacts of your canvas, it will be ready to hang.
With a professional offer
canvas stretching service, you don't have to bother about the size because
these framers have the tools and equipment necessary to stretch any roll you
bring. Time delays are often a problem with many frame shops. It is therefore recommended
to ensure that your framer has the reputation of finishing the stretching job
on time.
Also, opt for an experienced
framer who can create the look you want later. A major challenge of outsourcing
canvas stretching is that it is expensive. The cost depends on the thickness of
the stretcher bar and the size of your image. However, outsourcing is still a
cost-effective approach given the high-level stretching jobs.
2. Stretcher Bar Stick
Do not consider this option
unless you own a full-fledged production studio where you need a stacked canvas
daily. This process requires a 10-12 ′ stretcher bar stick, a saw and an underpinned
or joining machine. First cut the sticks to the required size and then join the
bars using an underpinned to create a stretcher frame.
This process can
significantly reduce your cost, which depends on the quality of the wood you
use. There will be no delay as the entire manufacturing process is in your
hands. This gives you ultimate flexibility with the canvas stretching process.
You can also create custom-tailored and unique stretcher bars by providing a
design profile to the wood supplier.
On the downside, using
stretcher bar rods requires skilled labor. You need to appoint trained and
experienced staff and proper management is required. Also, you need to make a
good investment in equipment. Stretcher bar sticks are only recommended for
those who have a large proportion of the amount required for stretcher canvas
prints.
3. Pre-Notched Stretcher Bars
If you are familiar with the
process of canvas stretching, you can do it on your own. However, you will need
some equipment for this, such as staple guns and stretching pliers. Also, you
need to be patient enough to stretch the canvas by hand. You can also use a
pre-knotted stretcher bar to further reduce your costs, provided you know the
traditional technique of drawing a canvas print.
Many wooden options are
available with pre-knotted stretcher bars. While cedar wood straps are the
least expensive option, items made of pine wood are more expensive. The
advantage of using a pre-notched stretcher bar is that you can have complete
control over the stretching process. Since cedarwood bars are inexpensive, you
can reduce your cost considerably by using them. Better, you do not need an underpinned,
saw, or any other professional equipment to work with them.
However, the biggest catch of
using a pre-knotted stretcher bar is that you must have the technical skills to
pull the canvas. Next you will need some professional equipment, for example, a
canvas stretching machine otherwise it would take a lot of time and effort to
stretch a print. And buying professional stretching equipment will increase
costs, making outsourcing a cheaper and cost-effective solution.
Finally, pre-knotted
stretcher bars come in fixed sizes. Therefore you will need to specifically
size the bars and adjust your print accordingly. For more information visit now:
https://masterframing.com.au/services/canvas-stretching/
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