Precision Tension: Hand-stretching ensures a drum-tight finish that machines cannot replicate.
In This Technical Guide
- The "Drum Test": Why your canvas should sound like a drum when tapped.
- Keyable Bars vs. Fixed Strainers: The importance of future tensioning.
- The Corner Fold: How we achieve the perfect "hospital corner" fold.
- Gallery Wrap Math: Calculating the correct bleed for your depth.
The Mechanics of Tension
A loose canvas is a ruined canvas. Over time, humidity and temperature changes cause canvas fibers to relax. If a canvas is not stretched with the correct initial tension—and the correct mechanical support—it will ripple, sag, and eventually crack the ink.
At Abbot Art, canvas stretching is a discipline of physics. We use finger-jointed, kiln-dried pine stretcher bars to prevent warping, and we employ a specific "cross-tension" pulling technique that ensures even distribution of stress across the weave.
The Hidden Tech: Keyable Bars
Most budget framers use "strainers"—fixed wood frames that cannot be adjusted. If the canvas loosens (which it naturally will), you are stuck with a saggy print.
We use Keyable Stretcher Bars. These bars feature slots in the corners for small wooden wedges ("keys"). If your canvas ever slackens due to a humid summer, a gentle tap on these keys expands the frame slightly, returning the canvas to a drum-tight state instantly. This is the museum standard for longevity.
Gallery Wrap Styles
| Style | Depth | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Stretch | 0.75 inch | To be framed in a traditional moulding. |
| Gallery Wrap (1.5") | 1.5 inch | Modern frameless display. Image wraps around sides. |
| Museum Wrap (2.0") | 2.0 inch | Large format statements or Oversized Art. |
What is a Gallery Wrap?
Does canvas stretching crack the ink?
Get the Perfect Stretch
From 8 inches to 8 feet, our master stretchers handle it all.
View Pricing & Options