A Guide To Stretching Canvas | Jackson's Art, by Jackson's Art on YouTube. 12 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Lay out your tools: stretcher bars, canvas, staple gun, canvas pliers, scissors, measuring tape, a T-square and a hammer. Check the bars for damage before you start.
Slot the stretcher bars together at the corners. Place a T-square in each corner to check it is square, then tap the joints gently with a hammer or mallet until they sit flush.
Lay the canvas face down and centre the frame on it. Measure and cut the canvas so you have about 3 inches (7 cm) of overlap on every side.
Fold the overlap over one edge and staple once in the middle. Do the same on the opposite edge, then the two remaining edges, pulling by hand to remove slack.
Grip the canvas with canvas pliers and pull it firmly over the bar. Staple outward from the centre, placing staples about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) apart, and alternate sides to keep tension even.
At each corner, fold the fabric into a neat mitre: tuck the loose edge under, pull the point tight and staple it down. Keep the fold flat and trim excess canvas if it bulges.
Press the canvas with your knuckles. If it feels slack, tap the wooden wedges into the corner slots with a hammer, a little at a time, until the surface is drum-tight.
If you are using raw canvas, apply a primer such as gesso before painting. Let it dry fully, then check the tension again.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the weave straight and parallel to the bars, or the finished painting will look slightly skewed.
Do not overstretch the canvas; a little give is normal and too much tension can crack the primer.
Leave the corner folds until the edges are finished so you have room to pull the fabric tight.
Work in a clean, dust-free area and keep the canvas face down so the painting surface stays clean.
Questions
How much extra canvas should I leave around the stretcher?
About 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) on each side is enough to grip and fold. Leave more for very large frames.
Can I stretch canvas that is already primed?
Yes. Pre-primed canvas is easier for beginners, but handle it gently so the primer does not crack at the folds.
How tight should the canvas be?
It should feel firm like a drum, with only a slight give when you press it. If it sags, add or tighten the wedges.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
