Learn How To Frame A Canvas Painting Unstretched Easy DIY At Home

Framing a canvas painting made on unstretched canvas can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually pretty simple with the right tools and techniques. Whether you’re an artist looking to showcase your latest canvas artwork or a DIY enthusiast looking for a fun project to complete at home, framing an unstretched canvas is a great way to add a professional touch to your artwork. In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of learning how to frame a canvas painting unstretched step-by-step, so you can hang that beautiful finished piece on your wall.

First, let’s talk about what an unstretched canvas is. An unstretched canvas is simply a piece of canvas material that has not been stretched over a wooden frame, also known as a stretcher bar.

While stretched canvases are more commonly used in traditional painting, unstretched canvases offer more flexibility in terms of framing options.

With an unstretched canvas, you can choose the frame that best suits your artwork and customize the size and depth of the frame to your liking.

TLDR: Framing an unstretched canvas painting at home involves choosing the right frame, preparing the canvas, building the frame, stretching the canvas, and adding finishing touches like a gallery wrap or a floater frame.

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to frame an unstretched canvas painting, helping you achieve a professional and polished look for your artwork. Factors to consider include personal preference, canvas size, and frame style.

Remember to work on a clean surface and consider the thickness of the stretcher bar to ensure a durable and lasting display.

Choosing the Right Frame

When it comes to framing an unstretched canvas painting, choosing the right frame is crucial. A frame not only enhances the overall appearance of your artwork, but it also protects it from damage. In this section, we’ll discuss how to choose the right frame for your canvas painting.

Determining Your Personal Preference

The first step in choosing the right frame is to determine your personal preference. Do you prefer a traditional wooden frame or a modern metal frame? Do you want a decorative frame or a simple one that doesn’t distract from the artwork?

These are all important factors to consider.

If you’re unsure of what type of frame you want, consider consulting with a professional framer. They can provide you with expert advice on what frame will best suit your artwork and personal style.

Considering the Size of Your Canvas

Another important factor to consider when choosing a frame is the size of your canvas. A frame that is too small or too large can detract from the overall appearance of your artwork. It’s important to choose a frame that is proportional to the size of your canvas.

In addition to size, you should also consider the thickness of the canvas.

If your canvas is thick, you may need a deeper frame to accommodate it.

On the other hand, if your canvas is thin, a shallower frame may be more appropriate.

Other Factors to Consider

When choosing a frame, there are a few other factors to consider. These include the color of the frame, the material it’s made from, and the style of the frame.

A frame that complements the colors in your artwork can enhance its overall appearance.

The material of the frame can also affect its durability and longevity.

By considering your personal preference, the size of your canvas, and other factors, you can find the perfect frame to enhance and protect your artwork for years to come.

Preparing Your Unstretched Canvas Painting for Framing

Before you start framing your unstretched canvas painting, you need to prepare it properly. This will ensure that your artwork looks its best when it is displayed. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Measuring Your Canvas Painting

The first step is to measure your canvas painting. You will need a tape measure for this. Measure the length and width of your painting, and write down the measurements. Make sure you add an extra inch to each side to account for the frame.

Trimming the Excess Canvas

Next, you need to trim the excess canvas. Use canvas pliers to grip the canvas and pull it taut. Then, use a pair of scissors to trim the excess canvas. Make sure you leave an inch of canvas around the edges to fold over the frame.

Once you have trimmed the canvas, you can start framing your painting. These steps are crucial to ensure that your painting looks its best when it is displayed. Remember to take your time and be careful when handling the canvas.

That’s it for preparing your canvas painting. Now, you are ready to move on to the next step: stretching the canvas.

Building the Frame

When it comes to framing an unstretched canvas painting, building the frame is an important step. You have two options: you can either make your own stretcher bar or use wooden stretcher bars. I have always just used wooden frames for my paintings but the process is almost the same for other materials just that you will need to use more specialized tools to make it happen.

Making Your Own Stretcher Bar

Making your own stretcher bar can be a great option if you want to save some money or if you have a specific size in mind that you can’t find in stores. Here are the steps to make your own stretcher bar:

Cut your wood: You’ll need four pieces of wood to make your stretcher bar. Cut two pieces to the length of your painting and two pieces to the width, minus the width of the two longer pieces.

Create a groove: Use a saw to create a groove along the length of each of the four pieces of wood. The groove should be about halfway through the wood and should be wide enough to fit your canvas.

Join the pieces: Join the four pieces of wood together to create a frame. Use wood glue to hold the joints together and clamps to keep the frame in place while the glue dries.

Stretch your canvas: Once the glue is dry, stretch your canvas over the frame and staple it to the back.

Using Wooden Stretcher Bars

If you don’t want to make your own stretcher bar, you can also use wooden stretcher bars that are available in most art supply stores. Here are the steps to use wooden stretcher bars:

Choose your bars: Choose wooden stretcher bars that are the same size as your painting or slightly larger. Make sure the bars are straight and free of knots.

Join the bars: Join the bars together to create a frame. Most wooden stretcher bars have a groove on one side that fits into a corresponding groove on the other side. Use wood glue to hold the joints together and clamps to keep the frame in place while the glue dries.

Stretch your canvas: Once the glue is dry, stretch your canvas over the frame and staple it to the back.

No matter which option you choose, building the frame is an important step in framing your unstretched canvas painting.

Stretching the Canvas

To frame an unstretched canvas painting is a little different to framing a stretched canvas. First you must stretch it. This process involves attaching the canvas to a stretcher bar and pulling it tight. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Attaching the Canvas to the Stretcher Bar

• First, you need to attach the canvas to the stretcher bar. To do this, lay the canvas face down on a clean, flat surface. Then, place the stretcher bar on top of the canvas, making sure that the edges of the bar are aligned with the edges of the canvas.
• Next, use a staple gun to attach the canvas to the stretcher bar. Start at the center of one side and work your way outwards, pulling the canvas tight as you staple. Repeat this process on the opposite side, making sure to pull the canvas tight before stapling.
• After you have stapled both sides, move to the other two sides and repeat the process. Make sure to pull the canvas tight and staple it securely to the stretcher bar.

Stretching the Canvas

• Once the canvas is attached to the stretcher bar, you can begin to stretch it. To do this, start at the center of one side and use your hands to pull the canvas tight. Then, use a staple gun or tacks to attach the canvas to the stretcher bar.
• Move to the opposite side and repeat the process, pulling the canvas tight and stapling it to the stretcher bar. Continue this process on the remaining two sides until the canvas is stretched tight and securely attached to the stretcher bar.
• It is important to note that when stretching the canvas, you should leave a little extra space along the edges of your painting. This extra space, known as a white border, will allow for framing and help protect the edges of your canvas.
• To ensure that the sides of your canvas are neat and tidy, you can fold them over and glue them to the back of the stretcher bar using white glue. This will create a clean finish and prevent the canvas from fraying.

Using the Tac Method with No Stretcher Bars

The tack method is a technique used for framing unstretched canvas paintings by temporarily attaching the canvas to a rigid support, such as foam board or wooden panel, using tacks or small nails.

This method allows for easy adjustments and repositioning of the canvas during the framing process, ensuring a proper fit and tightness. Here’s a brief overview of the tack method for framing unstretched canvas:

• Cut the canvas to the desired size, leaving some extra margin around the edges for folding and securing.
• Choose a rigid support that is the same size as your canvas, such as a foam board or wooden panel.
• Lay the canvas face down on a clean, flat surface and place the rigid support on top of it.
• Start at the center of one side, gently pulling the canvas taut and using tacks or small nails to secure it to the support. Make sure the tacks do not penetrate all the way through the support.
• Move to the opposite side and repeat the process, pulling the canvas tight before securing it with tacks.
• Continue with the remaining two sides, ensuring that the canvas remains taut and aligned with the support.
• Once the canvas is tacked to the support, it can be framed as desired. Keep in mind that the tack method is a temporary solution and not as durable as other methods like gluing or stapling the canvas to the support.

It’s best suited for situations where adjustments may be necessary or when a non-permanent solution is desired.

By following the steps above, you can ensure that your canvas is stretched tight and securely attached to the stretcher bar, ready for framing.

Adding the Finishing Touches

Once you have stretched your canvas painting, it’s time to add the finishing touches to make it look even more professional. Here are two options for adding the final touches to your canvas painting:

Adding a Gallery Wrap

A gallery wrap is a method of stretching the canvas so that the image wraps around the sides of the frame. This gives the painting a clean, modern look and eliminates the need for a frame. To add a gallery wrap to your canvas painting, follow these steps:

1. Choose a support frame that is deep enough to accommodate the thickness of your canvas.
2. Fold the edges of the canvas over the back of the support frame and staple them in place.
3. Add a hanger wire to the back of the frame so that it can be hung on a wall.

Adding a Floater Frame

A floater frame is a type of frame that is designed to make the canvas painting appear to be floating within the frame. This is a great option if you want to add a frame to your canvas painting but still want to show off the edges of the canvas. To add a floater frame to your canvas painting, follow these steps:

1. Choose a frame that is slightly larger than your canvas painting.
2. Attach the canvas painting to a mat board that is the same size as the frame.
3. Place the mat board and canvas painting into the frame so that the edges of the canvas are visible.
4. Add a hanger to the back of the frame so that it can be hung on a wall.

By adding a gallery wrap or a floater frame, you can give your canvas painting the finishing touch it needs to look professional and polished. If you’re not sure which option is right for your painting, consider consulting with a picture framer who specializes in custom framing.

Make a Wooden Ornamental Frame

Once you have stretched your unstretched canvas over wooden stretcher bars, you can proceed with creating a custom ornamental wooden frame for your artwork.

Here’s a list of tools and materials needed, followed by a step-by-step guide:

Tools and materials needed:

• Stretched canvas on wooden stretcher bars
• Wood for the frame (e.g., molding or flat boards)
• Miter saw or hand saw with a miter box (see image below)
• Measuring tape
• Sandpaper
• Wood glue
• Corner clamps or strap clamp
• Finishing nails or a nail gun
• Wood filler
• Paint or stain (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)
• D-rings and screws
• Hanging wire
• Screwdriver

Steps to make a wooden frame for a stretched canvas:

1. Measure your canvas – Measure the dimensions of your stretched canvas (length and width). Take note of the measurements to determine the size of the frame.
2. Cut the wood – Choose the desired wood for your frame (e.g., molding or flat boards). Using a miter saw or hand saw with a miter box, cut four pieces of wood at a 45-degree angle to create the frame, making sure the lengths match your canvas dimensions. Be sure to account for any overlap or rabbet (a groove on the inner edge) when measuring the frame pieces.
3. Sand the edges – Smooth the cut edges of the frame pieces using sandpaper to ensure a clean and even finish.
4. Glue the frame pieces – Apply wood glue to the mitered edges of the frame pieces, and join them together to create a rectangular frame. Make sure the corners are perfectly aligned.
5. Clamp the frame – Use corner clamps or a strap clamp to hold the frame in place while the glue dries. This will ensure that the corners are square and the frame is secure.
6. Reinforce the corners (optional) – For additional stability, you can reinforce the corners of the frame using finishing nails or a nail gun. Drive the nails through the corners at an angle.
7. Fill gaps and sand the frame – Apply wood filler to any gaps or nail holes in the frame. Once the filler is dry, sand the frame to create a smooth surface.
8. Finish the frame (optional) – If desired, paint or stain the frame to match your preferred color or finish. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely.
9. Attach the stretched canvas to the frame – Position the stretched canvas into the frame. If the frame has a rabbet, ensure the canvas sits securely within it. If there’s no rabbet, you may need to use brackets, clips, or other hardware to attach the canvas to the frame.
10. Install hanging hardware – Attach D-rings to the sides of the frame, approximately one-third of the way down from the top, using screws and a screwdriver. Thread hanging wire through the D-rings and secure it by twisting the ends. Make sure the wire is taut but not overly tight.
11. Hang your framed canvas – Hang your framed canvas on the wall and enjoy your artwork with its custom-made wooden frame.

Remember to handle the canvas and frame with care during the process to avoid damage to your artwork.

I have found a pretty cool video on how to make the above using some inexpensive timber and this guy makes it easy to follow. You can easily do this at home.

How to frame a canvas painting unstretched – Wrap up!

So hopefully now have a better idea of how to frame a canvas painting unstretched at home using DIY methods. With all the different ways and great solutions provided in this article, you can now hand your own unstretched art like a pro. Whether you are framing a large piece or smaller pieces, or even a series of paintings, you can use the techniques outlined here to create a beautiful display.

If it’s your first time working with acrylic paintings or your own canvas, remember to leave a margin and choose a lightweight panel or foam board for a durable surface. Consider the thickness of the stretcher bar and ensure that you work on a clean surface to avoid any unwanted marks or smudges.

If you need extra support for your canvas, adding crossbars or diagonal braces can provide better control and prevent the canvas from warping. Be mindful of too much moisture, which can cause the canvas to shrink or expand.

When ordering your stretcher bars, be sure to check the size and consider free shipping options to save on costs. With these tips, you can create a stunning display of your artwork that will last for years to come.

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