In This Article
Get familiar with the Opus Finest Stretched Canvas Kit
Learn how to assemble the stretcher bars.
Learn how to stretch the canvas over the stretcher bars.
Table of contents
Stretching Your Canvas
1. Canvas Setup
Lay the canvas “good-side” down on a clean surface and place the stretcher frame “bevel-side” down, centering it on the canvas.
There should be at least 2” of excess canvas all the way around the stretcher. Place the stretcher frame parallel to the canvas weave.
2. Initial Setup Staples
Wrap the canvas around the side of the stretcher bar to the back, and staple into the centre of the stretcher bar, on the back surface of the bar. Angle your staples diagonally across the weave of the fabric as canvas tears easier along the weave.
Using canvas stretching pliers, pull the canvas tight around to the opposite side, and drive the next couple of staples into the back surface of the stretcher bars directly opposite the first side you stapled.
Add one staple on the remaining two sides, in the same way as the previous step. This will create a diamond shape wrinkle that is tight across the centre.
3. Continue Stapling Sides
Drive staples in at regular intervals approximately 2 inches apart, moving outward from the centre, alternately switching to opposite sides. Always work outward from the centre, alternating back and forth across the canvas, and never staple one side all at once.
Use a hammer to ensure staples are firmly in the wood. As you near each corner, leave the canvas unstapled.
4. Finish the corners.
Fold the excess canvas at each corner under in a 2-part fold to make a clean corner.
To do this, first fold the excess canvas generated by wrapping the canvas from the side of the stretcher to the back surface. You should have a 45º piece of folded canvas you’re working with - fold this flat to the back of the canvas as shown left.
Next, create a second fold with the fabric that wraps up the other side of the stretcher bar, with the fold tucked in close to the stretcher bar (hidden), and a clean line of canvas wrapped neatly to the back of the stretcher.
Secure in place with a couple of staples. Make sure the corners are folded as flatly as possible — they will fit into a frame much better when you have finished your final piece.
Once you've stapled all sides and corners, you've succeeded in stretching your canvas using your Opus Finest Stretched Canvas Kit. Congratulations!