Canvas Stretching

Whether you have a canvas to stretch or need to purchase raw canvas, here at blackShed we offer a full canvas and stretching service.

If you are an artist, have bought a painting back from a holiday that requires stretching over bars, or simply looking to purchase your canvas from us or already have a roll of canvas that you would like converted into canvas panels, we can help.

A stretcher bar is used to construct a wooden stretcher frame, over which the raw or painted canvas is tensioned. We can custom make your stretchers or offer a standard off the shelf pre-sized stretcher. All our stretching projects are dry methods with no glue which enables the canvas to be removed or re-tensioned should the canvas become slack in the future. Canvases are either stapled or nailed using corrosion-resistant fixings; we generally nail into the back of the bar, but if insufficient canvas is available (we need this to pull around the bar) we would opt for a side fixing.

canvas stretcher.jpg
stretched canvas.jpg

There are a number of stretcher bar options available depending on what you are aiming to achieve, subject to budget, whether you wish to have the canvas framed or hang without a frame, if you are looking for a box effect or you simply want canvases stretched prior to painting.

We normally can stretch canvases up to a maximum of 2.4 meters square, but we are happy to consider larger projects subject to consultation.

Once your canvas has been stretched there is of course a variety of beautiful framing options, including tray frames, ornate period frames or no frame at all, the choice is yours.

Bespoke made-to-measure stretcher bars available:

 

  1. Budget

Our budget stretcher offers a good quality stretcher bar cut to length and tensioned across the corners using a fixed brace; these stretchers are ideal for budget-conscious students or anyone looking for a simple cost-effective solution.

2. Artist Quality

Our artist quality stretcher is a slightly more rigid stretcher bar than the budget bar, recommended when canvases are above a particular size or the client is looking to achieve a deeper canvas effect (as with box canvases).

3. Gallery Quality

This is our premium stretcher bar which is available in 2 weights, fully jointed and pegged. These are made to order to any size and take a little longer than the other options.

 
 

Pricing is variable depending on the finished canvas size, plus the cost of the stretcher bar. Contact us for advice and we would be happy to cost your project.