How to Make a Canvas Stretcher Frame, And How to Mount The Canvas

Making canvas stretcher frames for large prints or paintings is not hard, but it is important to make them strong enough (and get them square of course).

Technically this frame is not using stretcher bars but strainer bars (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strainer_bar), but I think people are more familiar with the term stretcher bars. Stretcher bars are loose, while strainer bars are fixed. In this video I am showing how I build my stretcher (strainer) frames and how I mount the canvas.

A Note on Tools:

I have some old (but soild) special framing tools which I use, but you can also use a regular hand saw with a mitre jig or an electric mitre saw. I glue and staple (with underpinners) the corners, but you can even use screws or corner brackets on the inside of the frame.

Stretching the Canvas:

I only use my hands to stretch the canvas but I highly recommend using Canvas Stretching Pliers. It is important to have good tension but not too much either.