Q&A for How to Frame a Canvas

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What is the best way to store canvases?

Antoine de Villiers
Artist
Antoine de Villiers is an Artist and the Founder of Antoine Art Studio LLC based in Savannah, GA. Antoine has over 25 years of experience, specializing in oil painting, graphite & charcoal drawing. She has had over 70 exhibitions around the globe and her work has received numerous awards including Best Figurative Artist by The Richmond Art Museum, Indiana (USA), Best Solo Artist by Eric Smith at the New York Art Expo, and first place in Figurative Painting by Pamela Jean Tinnen from Artrepreneur. She earned her Web Design Diploma from Boston Business College and studied Indian Art, Visual Art, and Modern Art at the University of Oxford, Department of Continuing Education.

Antoine de Villiers

Artist

Expert Answer

For paintings that will be sorted for a considerable time, wrap them in acid-free, neutral PH glassine paper to protect them from dust. Make sure nothing pushes against the painting, especially if it is on a stretched canvas. Shelves with vertical dividers are ideal, but if you have limited space, canvasses of the same size can safely rest on each other vertically, as long as the stretchers are aligned.

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Question

What is the correct way to tie a picture cord on the back of a frame?

Community Answer

See Step 5 of Part 3 in the article. Screw-in eye hooks or screws one-third of the way down from the top and cut off a length of hanging wire that's 6" longer than the frame's width. Twist a small loop (1/2-inch) in the center of the hanging wire and wrap the end through/around your eyehooks/screws and tightly to your eyehooks/screws. Then twist the hanging wire tails around the spanning wire to secure them. Untwist your center loop and hang the picture.

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Question

I have canvas that is stretched over a two inch edge, meaning the picture stands two inches high off the table when laying flat. How do I frame that?

Demari Harris

Community Answer

Micheal's offers great deals on custom framing all the time. Sometimes up to 60% off! Try going to one near you, as they can give you an estimate on how much framing will cost. They also offer a wide variety of frames, ranging from fancy to casual.

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Question

Can I put the canvas print on top of the frame instead of inside?

Community Answer

Sure, you can try that, but you better be sure that the front of your frame is totally flat and smooth.

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Question

Could I use a normal photo frame for canvas as well or does a canvas need its own special frame?

Rosie V.

Community Answer

A canvas would typically be too thick for a regular photo frame, so it most likely wouldn't fit. That's why they make frames especially for canvases.

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Question

I have a 5 piece Harley Davidson canvas kit that isn't framed. Two pieces are 1'x2', and two are 1'x3' and the center piece is 2'x4', so I just wanted something like 1/2' thick. Any ideas?

Tina Aquilino Klein

Community Answer

If you mean they are unstretched canvases, you could stretch them over heavy duty stretcher bars, which I know Michael's offers through custom framing. They are about 1/2” thick and about 4” wide.

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Question

Even though it says framing a canvas does not require glass, is it possible to still keep the glass in the frame and then follow all the steps as above but with the glass in the frame too?

Community Answer

Canvas allows two types of paints, oil or acrylic; both need surface air to breath. Putting the canvas behind glass could result in the paint building up moisture and then sticking to the glass, which can cause mold issues. Best to use a shadow box style if you want protection.

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Question

Generally speaking, with a store bought frame, how much of the picture should one expect to lose around the edges due to the lip on the front of the frame?

Rodd Cohen

Community Answer

The rabbet is usually 1/4” deep. The rabbet is the “lip” as you call it. So if you are buying an 8” x 10” frame, it will accommodate your 8” x 10” image with ease but on the sight size, will actually be a 7.5” x 9.5” opening.

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Question

I have a large (rolled up) piece in which the paint is thickly troweled on. Should I protect the canvas with glass when I stretch and frame it?

Rodd Cohen

Community Answer

Paintings on canvas generally do not need glass protection. Simply stretch them over a wooden frame and staple to the rear.

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