Canvass / Oil / Acrylic Stretching

We’ve all seen cheap canvasses sold at some large furniture stores or gift shops and these are fantastic value in their place but if you have an oil which an Artist has done or you’ve brought back rolled up from Abroad, then you would usually need to get this stretched properly.

Similarly, some photos are now printed onto canvass and these can also look stunning. The problem with canvass being so accessible (from a Framer’s point of view anyway) is that they can be of differing qualities. This can result in some pictures being hard to stretch, for example, they may start to “crack” the picture whilst stretching (this can also apply to oils or acrylics if the materials used are not of great quality).

The process usually involves stretching the canvass over a wooden frame known as stretcher bars. You need the proper tools to be able to do this and it needs to be pulled as tight as a drum for it to last and not sag. Although, in theory anyone can stretch something over a frame, the skill is in the quality of the finishing.

In some of the big stores, you will notice that most cheaper canvasses are “stapled” at the side in some form and the picture itself is so loose it will flap in the wind. If you are looking to keep something for a number of years, we would recommend that you get the stretching done properly. This stretching process happens before you even start to put a frame around the canvass (i.e. the framing cost is on top of the stretching cost).

To get a canvass stretched correctly is a framing job in it’s own right which is why you have to pay a Framer for his time and skills to do it.

Images that “wrap” around the stretcher bars have been fashionable in recent years and this is something we can do but there will need to be sufficient canvass material and image matter in order to do this. Ask the Framer for his advice.

Canvass images tend not to have glass put on them. It is said that this is because it can spoil the effect of the image and it’s textures. However, there is no rule that says that you can’t have glass if you wish to. If you are particularly worried about getting the picture dirty for example, you may opt for glass, this is not something we would recommend as standard.

Costs for these will depend on the size and type of frame required plus any other services required as part of the job. We can give rough estimates via e-mailor phone and an exact price if you bring the piece into the shop.

Please make sure you check our opening times before you visit to avoid disappointment.