How to Stretch and Frame a Paint by Numbers Canvas
Stretching and framing a canvas might initially seem intimidating, but it's easier than it looks! The wooden frames from Paintbynumbers.fi are specifically designed for framing canvases painted by numbers.
It is recommended to stretch the canvas onto the frame before starting to paint. This way, the painting won't suffer from stretching, and you'll have an excellent base for painting. A stretched and framed canvas stays in place better and is easy to set on, for example, an easel.
Assembling the Frame
Start framing by assembling the frame; first, connect the longer side with the shorter sides, and finally slide the last long side of the frame into place. The finished frame should be rectangular, with each corner forming a 90-degree angle.
The wooden frames have pre-cut grooves, so you don't need any tools or aids for assembling the frame.
Stretching the Canvas
Place the assembled frame on a flat surface, and set aside the other items that came in the package while stretching the canvas.
When you roll the canvas open for the first time, there may be a few wrinkles or creases. You can smooth the canvas most easily with an iron and a small amount of steam. However, remember to always iron the canvas with the image side down to avoid smudging the shapes and numbers.
When the canvas is smooth and wrinkle-free, place it on a flat surface with the image side down. Align the assembled frame as centrally as possible on the canvas so that the finished painted image will also be as centered as possible in the frame in the future.
First, stretch the first long side of the canvas onto the frame. Always try to ensure that the canvas does not move or shift while stretching the other sides. Also, make sure that the edge to be stretched is aligned with the wooden frame and that the canvas runs straight along the frame. When you think the canvas is perpendicular, attach it to the frame with the pins included in the package.
After this, move on to stretching the other long side of the canvas, ensuring that the canvas and image do not move in the frame. If you like, you can turn the canvas around after each pin and check that the image hasn't moved or become misaligned. If you haven't pushed the pins too deep the first time, they can be easily removed for minor adjustments. Once the longer sides of the canvas are stretched, it's the short sides' turn.
When the short sides are also stretched onto the frame, you can either cut the corners of the canvas or fold them onto the frame if you wish. However, we always recommend folding the corners, as cutting might severely damage the paintable part of the canvas.
Finally, turn the canvas attached to the frame around and check that it is aligned the way you want. When you are satisfied, add the remaining pins and ensure the others are secure. You can also stretch the canvas more if it doesn't feel tight enough.
