In my time of custom framing, I often saw people bring a canvas painting in to get framed or stretched. Many people did not realize how easy it could be to diy this project. This easy guide to frame an unstretched painting on canvas is easy to follow even if it is your first time framing. You can easily create a finished product that you love and that looks professionally done. You do not need to be a professional framer or go the traditional frame route to end up with a very nice finished product. Unstretched canvases can be displayed intentionally with the right frame and a little bit of extra time. This method is perfect for unstretched canvas prints, canvas panels, even acrylic paintings done on wood panel. You will not need wooden stretcher bars or a professional framer.With this method, you do not have to worry about the thickness of the stretcher bar, the size of the stretcher bar, or if the stretcher bars fit into the frame. Follow this easy guide to frame an unstretched painting on canvas with a method called foam mounting.
1. Measure the size of your unstretched canvas.Â
While you want the exact size of the painting, it is also good to measure how far in you can take the margins of your painting. Measure the furthest edge of the canvas that would still fit your aesthetic needs. Your canvas may be able to fit in a frame smaller than its actual size and still look nice. When looking for a fitting frame, you want to think about a variation of frame sizes that could fit your painting. For example, a 6×9 painting may fit well in a 6×8 frame if there is extra space that can be removed from the 9 inch side. This is especially something important to think about with larger pieces. Can the size be reduced? Is there some piece of canvas that can be removed if you find the perfect frame that is slightly smaller than your art? Can the sides of your canvas be covered to better fit the frame? While frame size is important, you can have a good bit of variation in size that you can work with to nicely frame your art. Having a wider variety of sizes also makes the process of finding a frame a lot easier.
2. Find a fitting frame.
This is where the work and creativity comes in. Now, you have to find a frame. You may already have one, may have gotten one from friends/family, or may have found one thrifting. I usually have dimensions with me when I’m browsing to make sure I am looking for frames in the correct size, maybe slight smaller if the painting can accommodate for that. Simple frames and ready made frames can also be used to frame an unstretched painting on canvas. When you frame your own canvas you can always alter the frame to fit your art more. You can stain, paint, gold leaf any simple frames you find to better fit your art. When I am sourcing frames I look more for sizing than aesthetics, just because I know I can alter the frame to fit the painting. The great thing about framing a canvas this way is that it can also be properly framed with a mat! While glass is not usually used with canvas paintings, if you wanted to add a mat or have a canvas print that is not actually painted, you can use this route to add a mat to your canvas. This can not be done with traditionally stretched canvas. You can also use metal frames! If a painting is stretched it can not be assembled into a metal frame simple because of the size of the bars.
Another note: canvas mounted to foam core can not be properly mounted into a floater frame, so you will want to steer clear of those. Float frames are very specific for painting with stretcher bars. Any other wooden frame should be compatible with your canvas painting.
3. Assemble the canvas to foam core.
Use a ruler or tape measure to measure the edges of the canvas and measure the inner length and width of your frame. Cut the foam core to fit in your frame. I like to leave a little extra room to account for the canvas being wrapped around the foam core. About an eighth of an inch smaller than the opening of the frame usually accounts for the extra space that may be taken up of the frame. Once the foam core is to the size you need, you need to assemble the canvas to the foam core. In frame shops, stitchery tape is used, but I have done this method using different acid free tapes and glues. You will want to apply the adhesive to the foam and slowly attach the canvas to the foam. Work carefully to align the top of the painting or print to the top of the foam core and make sure the work is straight. You will also want to attach the canvas in sections to ensure air bubbles do not form under the canvas when attaching to the foam core. I always make sure I leave enough room to wrap excess canvas around the foam core and that it is able to fit into the frame. Attach the canvas to the foam and wrap the excess canvas around the edges of the foam core.
4. Fit foam core into the frame.
Once the art is attached to the foam core, you need to put it into the frame. Most frames have their own fletcher points in the frame that hold everything in place. These are the small metal tabs that you fold over the edge of the art. If not, you can staple the piece in place. If this is work that you plan on doing more than once, I would invest in a fletcher pointer. You can also take it to a frame shop. The process is really quick and low cost. Some even nail the work in place. The fletcher points or staples are the easiest option. This step is probably the hardest to frame an unstretched painting on canvas if you don’t have the materials.
5. Secure art and install hanging hardware.
It doesn’t have fit perfectly for it to be able to be secured into the frame. If there is a little extra space around the art that is fine or you may have to cut some extra foam core down if it’s a little too large for the frame. You will see and feel when it fits. Next, hanging hardware should be installed and can be purchased in a number of places. I would suggest a sawtooth hanging system for smaller pieces and the install of D-rings and a hanger wire if the piece is larger than 16X20. Because of the method of the mounting, most of the end products are lightweight, so a sawtooth should work just fine.
I got an amazing painting from Antigua & Barbuda that I was able to foam mount and frame in a found gold frame that I just love. A custom frame job less than $30 that fits my gallery wall perfectly and looks professionally done. Again, you do not have to be a professional picture framer to make this happen! I will say you want to be careful with the type of canvas you frame because some canvas prints can scratch easily or some pre-stretched canvases can easily rip where they were framed, so just be careful during the process. A lot of artists overseas have their work stretched, but will take the work off of the wooden bars, so the artwork travels better and with less chance of damage. This is the perfect method for framing these types of works. Your canvas artwork can be framed with just a little more time and creativity. A second option for all of this is to just get your canvas piece custom framed if you get overwhelmed or lost and have the funds to get it done. I am always open to help with framing canvas and finding ways to display your art that are cost efficient and still produce a professional looking end product. Really hope this guide helps to create some amazing frame projects. Get in touch if you need any guidance or physical help on a project like this! Happy framing 🙂