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How to Stretch Canvas

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You will need stretching pliers and a staple gun.

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step 1 Stretcher bars are made of soft wood and come in a variety of lengths to allow for different sizes of canvases.	step 2 To make a frame for stretching, fit the slot and tenon against each other and push them together to form a corner. When the corners are fitted you will find there is enough room in the slot for the insertion of the “key”.	step 3 The keys are wood triangles. Wedge two into each slot in each corner to expand and tighten the corners.	step 4 Some framers prefer to insert the keys after the canvas is stretched. You may want to use a mallet to tap the keys in.
step 5 Lay the stretcher frame on the canvas and use scissors to cut the canvas around the perimeter of the frame. The canvas should be cut large enough that it can fold over the frame along each side. Apply three staples in the middle of one of the longest sides.	step 6 Apply three staples on the side opposite the first. Again, apply them in the middle, close together.	step 7 On a third side apply only one or two staples.	step 8 Repeat for the remaining side. Initial application will find three staples in the middle of the long sides, two in the middle of the short sides.
step 9 On a long side, apply a row of staples from the middle to the corner. Half the canvas will be stapled on that side. Next, turn to the diagonally opposite side and work to the opposite corner. Repeat for the remaining two sides . Half the canvas will be stapled.	step 10 Returning to the first long side, apply the remaining staples from the middle to the corner. Repeat for the remaining sides in the same sequence. Fold the corners.	step 11 Make two folds in the canvas at each corner, pull one fold over the other, and staple the canvas to the frame.	step 12 Make the remaining fold parallel to the edge of the stretcher and staple.
step 13 The staples are placed close together. On larger frames a cross bar is placed in the middle to provide extra support.	step 14 Wet the canvas and allow it to dry. This helps to decrimp and straighten out the canvas preparatory to “sizing.”	step 15 A good taut canvas is ready for “sizing”, which is the application of glue size to protect it from the oxidizing effects of oil paint or prime.