This How-To is inspired primarily by a Good Question, so here the request from AT reader Sara: I ordered & received this "Subway Sign" from Pottery Barn, not realizing that it was an unstretched canvas. It came with some tacks for hanging, but I'd like to do something a little more 'classy'. How do you stretch a canvas? Is there another, better way to display this? Thanks!!
[ Photos from Pottery Barn and BarronArts ]
The first time we stretched a canvas was in 9th grade art class, and let's just say that it turned out not-so-taut. In fact, over a few months, it got really saggy. This is probably due to the fact that there was a staple gun involved and everyone wanted to keep their thumbs intact.
Stretching canvases isn't very difficult at all, and there are two tutorials online that are particularly useful: this old school one (complete with black and white photos!) from Rex Art, and a more updated version at wikiHow. A tip: having a very strong friend helps, especially when it comes to pulling the canvas as tight as possible over the stretcher frames. If you're in a predicament like Sara and are stretching thinner fabric, be careful not to stretch too tight to avoid doing any damage to the fabric.
Good luck!
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Rather than stretch this, I think you'd be happier having it mounted onto some board (masonite, luan ply, gatorboard, etc) which itself could have some framework on the back of it to keep it flat, rigid, and sit off the wall slightly.
Having stretched countless canvases, you lose a significant amount of fabric around the sides and back of the frame. You want to keep all of this image, I'm sure, so a traditional stretching of it probably isn't ideal. Consult someone who frames posters and prints. It should be a really simple procedure.
view kvh's profile
You basically start at the middles and work to the corners.
view Curtis's profile
Yes, and work N, S, E, W as you go. Don't do one side all at once.
The other trick: once the fabric is stretched and stapled: mist it LIGHTLY with water. When it dries, it will shrink and become very taut. Not sure this would work with this specific pre-printed piece, though. But it's brilliant on canvas.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile