Stretch Canvas 2

When we print our images for stretching we print an outline border about 4 cm from the edge of the picture's front face. We do this so that we can see how even the print is over the frame even though it is face down under the frame as we are stapling it.

We place the picture square in the middle of the frame and start stapling it. First we pick the middle of each side, stapling it down with a mild tensionabout 1-2 cm from the edge. These staples will be covered later with backing tape. I prefer to use a slight angle for the stapler so that each staple is not grabbing the same weave in the canvas which would otherwise promote fraying.

Gradually work your way to the corners, applying only one or two staples per side. Work on opposite sides to keep an even tension throughout the work. Dont pull too tight as the stretch you get at that point will detract from other sides of the frame. This is especially important where there are straight lines in the image which would be distorted by uneven tension in the canvas.

It is a hard to describe how we do the corners. I don't like to cut the canvas so we fold the canvas over at the corners in such a way as to reduce stress on the point of the corner. Avoid the temptation to pull the canvas over the corner - it will cause cracking of the ink and will eventually fail. Not nice. Some people prefer "invisible corners" but we don't do it unless specifically requested.