When you buy a painting that is shipped rolled, the final step before hanging it is to have the canvas stretched onto a wooden frame. For many buyers, this sounds technical or complicated, but in reality it is a very simple and standard process handled by any professional framer.
In this guide, we’ll explain what stretching a canvas means, how it is done, and what you need to do as a buyer.
What Does “Stretching a Canvas” Mean?
Stretching a canvas means fixing the canvas onto a wooden stretcher frame so that it becomes flat, tense and ready to hang. The canvas is attached at the back, leaving the front surface clean and untouched.
This is the standard way most paintings on canvas are prepared for display.
Who Should Do It?
While it is technically possible to stretch a canvas yourself, it is highly recommended to use a professional framer or canvas stretcher, especially for medium and large artworks.
A professional will:
- Build the correct size stretcher frame
- Ensure even and proper tension
- Align the composition correctly
- Prepare the artwork for hanging
What Happens at the Framer’s Workshop?
The process is straightforward:
- The framer carefully unrolls the canvas.
- A custom wooden stretcher frame is assembled to the exact size.
- The canvas is positioned and aligned.
- It is gradually stretched and fixed at the back.
- The final tension and alignment are checked.
The result is a perfectly flat, stable artwork ready to be displayed.
Does Stretching Affect the Artwork?
No. When done professionally, stretching does not damage or alter the painting in any way. The artwork is designed to be stretched after shipping.
High-quality canvases and paints are used precisely for this reason.
How Long Does It Take?
In most cases, stretching a canvas takes from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the size and the workload of the workshop.
It is a routine service for any framing studio.
What About Framing?
Once the canvas is stretched, you can:
- Hang it as a clean, frameless canvas
- Add a floating frame or external frame if you prefer
Both options work well and depend purely on your taste and interior style.
Is It Expensive?
The cost of stretching depends on the size of the artwork and the local market, but it is usually very reasonable compared to the value of the painting and the shipping savings of sending it rolled.
Why This Method Is Standard for Large Art
Shipping canvases rolled and stretching them locally:
- Reduces shipping costs
- Reduces transport risks
- Makes very large formats possible
You can learn more about this here: Why Large Paintings Are Shipped Rolled (and Why It’s Better).
Where Can You Find a Framer?
Almost every city has professional framing studios. You can search for:
- “Canvas stretching service near me”
- “Art framing workshop”
- “Picture framer”
In the next guide, we explain this in more detail: Where to Frame or Stretch a Large Canvas in Your Country.
Conclusion
Stretching a canvas after buying a rolled painting is a simple, safe and standard procedure. Any professional framer can handle it, and the result will be exactly as the artwork was intended to be displayed.
If you are considering a large or custom artwork, you can explore how shipping and logistics are handled in our Projects section.