Build Canvas Frame

Learn how with our simple instructions.

Build canvas frame.

Now you need to get the stretcher bars at your hand. Once you have collected all the elements you need to make the canvas frame. Make cuts add 2 1 2 inches to the dimensions of your canvas art then cut the plywood sheet to this measurement using a table saw. Attach the stretcher bars.

Now that you have the canvas s measurements and know what style of frame you want you can shop for a frame. Next cut the 1 x 3 inch boards to form four sides. If not painters tape sticky putty or a few drops of hot glue on the back can hold the canvas where you want it. I m sharing a super easy and cheap way to frame a canvas.

Flip the frame over and attach the canvas from the back by driving longer nails through the canvas stretchers and into the frame. Float frames are different from regular frames meant for canvas because they are made to be just a little bit bigger than the canvas itself. These bars come along with a notched side to attach them together. Float mount frame i personally think float mount frames look the most professional but maybe that s because it was the most finicky of my frames to make so i was the most proud of this one.

Building the frame just an 1 8 or 3 16 larger than the canvas should give you a tight enough fit to hold the canvas in without extra help. This instructable is my effort to explain how to build your own custom size canvas for painting. While a regular canvas frame would hug tight against the canvas a float frame has an intentional gap all the way around to make the canvas look like it s floating inside the frame. If you haven t already caught on i like to do things as inexpensively as possible.

16x20 and 18x24 common size are very affordable at most art supply stores but if you want large or custom sizes the price goes way up very quickly. With these simple things you can easily make your canvas frame just the right dimension you want. This easy diy tutorial will teach you how to frame a canvas for cheap making a huge piece of 22 art look like it s worth much more. Find one that is the same length width and depth of your canvas.

Miter cut each edge.