When it comes to the art of framing, stretching a canvas involves pulling the art canvas across a wooden frame. It’s a vital part of the framing process, as a well-stretched canvas displays art at its finest.

Let’s get into looking at the various methods used for stretching a canvas and how it plays a critical role in both showcasing and safeguarding canvas art.

What is Canvas Stretching?

Stretching a canvas means that a canvas is pulled taut over wooden stretcher bars, ensuring that the canvas remains firm and smooth when displayed. It’s a method which protects art from creasing, sagging, or even warping with the passage of time. A properly stretched canvas can last for decades, which makes it a valuable investment – for both artists and collectors.

What’s Used in Canvas Stretching?

It’s vital to have the right tools when it comes for canvas stretching, particularly those tools which are designed specifically for handling a canvas without causing damage.

• Canvas: We meticulously inspect the canvas for any potential issues.
• Stretcher Bars: Custom-sized wooden bars form the frame, which is tailored specifically to match the size of your particular canvas.
• Staple Gun: Heavy duty staples are what secure the canvas to the stretcher bars.
• Canvas Pliers: These pliers are specially designed to both grip and stretch the canvas without causing any damage.
• Staples: We utilize high-quality, corrosion-resistant staples, to ensure that the canvas remains in place for a long-lasting stretch.
• Measuring Tape: Measuring tape is key, as it ensures that we adhere to precise, square measurements for the completed stretcher bars – from one corner to the other.

Workspace

Here at OAI Art Services, we prioritize a clean, well-lit work area with ample space to arrange both the canvas and required stretcher bars, no matter the size of your piece. All tools are easily accessible. All of this is important in the process of canvas stretching, as we will share.

Custom-Cut and Assembled Stretcher Bars

To begin, we cut the stretcher bars to match the size of your artwork, ensuring that there’s perfect corner alignment. Our skilled and expert framers excel at such a task, which is critical in ensuring that the canvas remains tightly stretched.

The Stretching Process

First, the canvas is laid flat – with the workspace having been thoroughly cleaned beforehand. Correct positioning is also ensured before beginning. Next, stapling begins at the center of one side of the canvas, making certain to maintain even tension on opposite sides.

Working the Corners

At each corner, the excess canvas is folded over the bar, where it’s firmly gripped before being stapled in place – utilizing both a staple gun and canvas pliers. Ensuring that all four corners are neatly folded and stretched is essential.

Checking Tension and Making Adjustments



Once all four sides have been stapled, a quality check is conducted to ensure that there are no loose areas and, if so, to carefully readjust and staple them as needed. Then, a final inspection is performed to guarantee even tension, leaving your canvas stretched and ready to either be displayed or framed.

With canvas stretching, precision and meticulous care is a must. Both of these factors go into ensuring that canvas artworks shine, while also protecting them for the long term.

If you are in need of expert canvas stretching and guidance on preserving your artwork, reach out to OAI Art Services in Houston, Texas. We have years of experience and can give advice on the long term preservation of your art, in addition to our canvas stretching services.