How to stretch your own canvas

Step 1: Getting Started

Lay canvas on a table, primed side down (If you’re using unprimed canvas, it doesn’t matter which side faces up or down). Place the stretcher bars on top of the canvas on the table. Now draw marks on the sides of the canvas where you want to cut it.

Step 2: Cutting the canvas

Cut the canvas, using the markers you've made as a guide. You can cut the canvas with either scissors or a Stanley knife and ruler.

Step 3: Ready to fold

Once you’ve cut the size of canvas to suit the frame, put it back down on the table and lay the frame over it again. Fold one side of the canvas over the frame and staple one or two staples into the middle of the frame (around 2 or 3cm apart), securing the canvas.

Step 4: Fastening

Now with the opposite side of the canvas to the one you have just stapled, fasten the pliers over the canvas and pull it over the frame with enough pressure so that the canvas is firm. Now staple this side down to the frame. NOTE: Ensure the staples on opposing sides of the frame line up to so that there is no unwanted crinkling or unevenness in the canvas surface.

Step 5: Repeat

Using the pliers again, secure and then staple the remaining two sides of the canvas down.

Step 6: Watch your fingers

Now work around the canvas frame and continue to staple down the full square of canvas, stapling opposing sides one by one, working outwards towards the corners.

Step 7: Fiddly business

To staple the corners, fold one length of canvas down over the frame first and then fold the perpendicular length down over the top, make sure they are pulled tightly. Staple down on top of the fold to secure.

Ta Da!

Once each corner is stapled you can trim any excess canvas from the inside of the frame. Then your canvas is ready to be painted! Handy Tip: To pin the canvas onto the sides of the frame, leave at least 4cm of canvas, or to pin it to the back of the frame, allow an extra few centimetres.