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How to Stretch a Picture Over a Canvas

Make one-of-a-kind art work for your home using your own photos. First, decide on the easiest and most cost-effective method of having your photo printed on a canvas. If you desire a small picture, print your photo on transfer paper, and iron it on canvas cloth. If you want a larger, poster-sized piece, choose an online printing company or a local office supply or printing store to transfer the image to canvas. Once the photo is on the canvas, you're ready to stretch it onto a wooden frame.

Things You'll Need

High-quality photo
Canvas, 1 foot wider and higher than frame
Stretcher bars or a prebuilt frame
Measuring tape
Stapler gun
Cutting instrument, such as a utility knife, razor or scissors
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase canvas stretcher bars or a pre-cut frame. Assemble following manufacturer's directions.
- 2
  Lay the canvas face down on a clean surface. Using a sheet or cloth will help protect the picture. Center the frame over the photo. Cut the canvas so there is an excess of 5 inches around each frame edge.
- 3
  Find the center of the longest side of the frame. Fold the canvas over to the back of the frame at this spot and staple the canvas to the back of the frame. On the opposite side, pull the canvas taught and staple it like you did the first side. Turn it over to make sure the photo is still centered.
- 4
  Turn the frame back over and staple the center top and then the center bottom as you did the two sides. You will see a diamond-shaped crease in the canvas, but it will disappear as you proceed.
- 5
  Work upward toward one corner at a time, placing staples about 2 to 3 inches apart. Move from side to side, keeping the canvas held tightly. Keep checking that the photo is staying centered. Stop staples 4 inches from where the corners meet. Continue around the frame until each side is firmly stapled in place.
- 6
  Pull canvas taught around the first corner carefully to avoid ripping it. From the back of the frame, fold the cloth neatly together. Pull it down over the frame and staple. Once you are sure the canvas is smooth, add a couple more staples, if needed.
- 7
  Continue the process on the next three corners. Check the picture again to make sure it is centered and smooth. Add staples to the back as needed.
- 8
  Cut away the excess canvas using a utility knife or scissors. Use a hammer to pound down the staples so they are flush with wood.

Photography