How to Re-Stretch a Canvas

At SE1 Picture Frames we are experienced in re-stretching canvases. This is often required when a work on canvas needs to travel. Often, the best way to transport the canvas is to take it off the stretcher and roll the canvas in a tube for transport. Understanding the nuances of canvas re-stretching can greatly enhance the longevity and appearance of your artwork. This guide will walk you through the entire process, emphasising the importance of choosing the right stretcher bars, ensuring squareness, and handling large stretchers. For professional canvas stretching services, remember to visit SE1 Picture Frames. 

Understanding Stretcher Bars

Types of Stretcher Bars

• Standard pinned Bars: good for small basic canvases. Not so good for keeping the canvas square and tight.
• Professional, slotted Stretchers: These stretcher bars are much better and feature slots for easy insertion of cross bars. At SE1 Picture Frames, we only use slotted stretchers with cross bars when re-stretching a work on canvas. These stretchers ensure squareness and the correct tension.

Importance of Cross Bars

Cross bars provide additional support to the canvas, preventing sagging. They are essential for large canvases and can be easily added to slotted stretchers.

Different Depths of Stretchers

Stretcher bars come in various depths, affecting the canvas’s protrusion from the wall. Choose the depth based on your desired aesthetic and the size of the canvas. Also, consider whether the canvas will be mounted into a tray frame and if the canvas was previously stretched try to keep the same depth stretcher bars.

Preparing to Stretch the Canvas

Materials Needed

• Canvas
• Stretcher bars
• Staples or tacks
• Staple gun or hammer
• Canvas pliers
• Square or ruler

Assembling the Stretcher Frame

• Choosing the Right Size: At SE1 we carefully measure the canvas, taking into account where the previous stretcher bars sat and, depth of stretcher bars and whether there is any elasticity in the canvas. Ensure the stretcher bars fit the dimensions of the canvas.
• Assembly: Connect the stretcher bars by interlocking their ends. This video is a good guid to help you assemble the canvas on the stretcher.

• Ensuring Squareness: Use a square or ruler to check the angles and adjust as necessary. This video is a good guid to help you get the stretcher Square.

For a professional service, consider our canvas stretching services.

Stretching the Canvas

The Process

• Laying Out the Canvas: Place the canvas on a clean, flat surface, facing down.
• Centering the Frame: Place the stretcher frame on the canvas, ensuring it is centred and lies neatly on the creases of the canvas where the previous stretcher was.
• Stapling the Canvas: Start stapling from the centre of each side and work towards the corners. This ensure correct, even tension
• Maintaining Tension: Use canvas pliers to grip and pull the canvas taut as you staple. Wedges are then tapped into the back of the stretcher and tapped with a small toffee hammer to get the correct tension.

Tips for a Smooth Stretch

• Even Tension: Ensure the canvas is uniformly tight across the stretcher frame.
• Avoiding Overstretching: Too much tension can warp the frame.
• Securing the Corners: We always fold the corners neatly for a professional finish.

Handling Large Stretchers

Special Considerations

• Extra Support: Use cross bars for added stability.
• Teamwork: Large canvases often require more than one person for an even stretch.
• Professional Assistance: For extremely large canvases, consider enlisting professional help from SE1 Picture Frames. We have a large workshop to accommodate large canvases up to sizes of 3meters x 4meters.
  

Over the years SE1 Picture Frames have stretched and re-stretched hundreds of canvases. Most recently we helped with the stretching and framing of a Solo show of Andrew Salgado at Saatchi Gallery. Andrew’s show “Tomorrow i’ll be Perfect” runs until the 7th of January 2024.

Conclusion

Re-stretching a canvas correctly is essential for displaying and preserving your artwork. By following these steps and understanding the importance of each element, from slotted stretchers to the correct tension of the canvas, you can ensure a professional and lasting result.

For those seeking expert assistance, remember to visit SE1 Picture Frames for top-notch canvas stretching services.

How to Stretch a Canvas FAQ