Stretching Your Art Print
If you would like to make your canvas print to look like a traditional painters canvas the service you will be looking for is a stretched canvas service. This framing option allows you to wrap your print around wooden stretcher bars as the canvas is pulled taught to create the look of a traditional painters canvas.
I NOW OFFER STRETCHING SERVICES! however, there are a few things to know…
I will only stretch my own personal art prints.
This service is only available for locals who are able to pick their art up at my studio located at 1609 Osos St., San Luis Obispo, CA. I will not ship framed prints at this time unless it’s a fairly small print.
I only stretch around 1.5” depth stretcher bars. You will need to add a 3.5” mirrored border to the size print you choose. More information on mirrored borders can be found here.
I will only stretch a print if you also purchase the varnish add-on option. There is too much room for damaging the print during the stretching process without adding this to your print first. Since this will be displayed without glass the varnish will help protect against uv damage and minor scuffs and scratches. Just be aware that even with a varnish a print can still be damaged and scratched if care is not taken but the varnish adds much needed durability. Fading can also still occur over time if kept in a place with direct sunlight. More information on add a varnish can be found here.
I only have so many stretcher bar and frame sizes in stock at any given time. If I don’t have the specific size you would like I will need to place an order to my supplier or I can discuss with you what I have in stock.
Reach out to hello@jennellelynnart.com with any questions and for a quote. I can then creat a custom listing for an order if you choose to place one.
If you are not local to the San Luis Obispo area you will need to reach out to your local framer to see if they provide this service. It will be much more cost effective for you if you order the print and find a local framer than to ship a large framed print. If you plan to get your print stretched you must know a few key details BEFORE you purchase your art print. So be sure to check with the framer you will be using, as different framers may have different requirements for stretching canvas onto stretcher bars. You will want to make sure your visions align and to make sure you know what their requirements are in order to complete the job. If you do not have anyone local that provides stretching services visit my online framing resource guide for a few suggestions.
A FEW THINGS TO NOTE:
Depending on what depth stretcher bars you decide to use will equal how much extra canvas you will need to add to your print order. You will need to know this information BEFORE you place a print order to ensure you purchase enough extra canvas to stretch your canvas print around these wooden stretcher bars..
Below are general guidelines of how much extra canvas you will need to add to your print. Once again, if you are unsure of the stretcher bar depth you will be using please contact your local framer and go over those details with them before you place your print order.
For Example.:
.5” Depth Stretcher Bars
You will need an extra 0.5” for the sides and an extra 2” for the stretching process when it gets wrapped around the back.
A total of a 2.5” extra mirrored border applied to your print.
1” Depth Stretcher Bars
You will need an extra 1” for the sides and and extra 2” for the stretching process when it gets wrapped around the back.
A total of a 3” extra mirrored border applied to your print.
1.5” depth stretcher bars
you will need 1.5” for the sides and and extra 2” for the stretching process when it gets wrapped around the back.
A total of a 3.5” extra mirrored border applied to your print.
The reason for adding the extra canvas to your print seems obvious but just to clarify and explain further, you need this extra canvas added to the size print you choose otherwise you will loose quite a bit of the art to allow enough canvas to be stretched around the stretcher bars. If you don’t allow for this the overall finished product will end up being much smaller than the print size you originally purchased.
It’s my opinion that the extra canvas you add onto your print for getting it stretched always looks better when you add a mirrored order to the print opposed to just having a plain white border added onto it. When mounting the stretched print in a floater frame you rarely see the sides of the painting but I feel even a white boarder shows a little around the edges and for that reason I do not like to stretch my prints with a white border. Adding a printed mirrored/white border are the same cost. And as always if you have any questions for me on my end please don’t hesitate to reach out.
If you are wanting to hang your stretched canvas print WITHOUT putting it into a floater frame you will be wanting to go with what is called a gallery wrapped canvas which has a depth of 1.5” or larger. These can be beautifully displayed framed or unframed. Anything less that a 1.5” looks best in a frame but that is just my personal opinion. Visit the Floater Frame Guide for more information.