Every student of art will have to know how to stretch a canvas across a frame. There are however a few others who may take to art at a later point in life and will need to know the basics. Here is how you can go about it. The first step is to have a frame built for your artwork. This will have to be made as per the size of your final painting. Your canvas will be stretched over this to just the right tension.
The best way to go about this is to cut out your piece of canvas at least around eight inches bigger than the dimensions of your stretcher bars. This extra canvas is necessary so that you have a good grip on the edges and are able to pull and stretch it as you need. Place your frame on top of the canvas that you have cut out. Work along the grain and make sure that the canvas is in a straight line with the stretcher bars.
Use pliers to pull the canvas tightly and begin with the longest side of the canvas. Fold it over the frame and pin it down with three staples from with a commercial grade stapler. These pins should be close to the center of the stretcher bar. Once done, turn the canvas over and do the same thing on the opposite side. Pull the canvas tightly on the frame and hold it in place with three more staples at the center of the stretcher bar.
The best way to go about this is to cut out your piece of canvas at least around eight inches bigger than the dimensions of your stretcher bars. This extra canvas is necessary so that you have a good grip on the edges and are able to pull and stretch it as you need. Place your frame on top of the canvas that you have cut out. Work along the grain and make sure that the canvas is in a straight line with the stretcher bars.
Use pliers to pull the canvas tightly and begin with the longest side of the canvas. Fold it over the frame and pin it down with three staples from with a commercial grade stapler. These pins should be close to the center of the stretcher bar. Once done, turn the canvas over and do the same thing on the opposite side. Pull the canvas tightly on the frame and hold it in place with three more staples at the center of the stretcher bar.