Stretcher Bars and Braces

Stretcher Bars and Braces

Stretcher bars are long, thin pieces of wood or metal that artists use to construct a framework called a stretcher. This stretcher provides a stable and taught surface for painting. Carefully stretching and mounting your canvas over stretcher bars ultimately play a crucial role in the longevity and presentation of your artwork.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Stretcher Bars

When selecting the right stretcher bar for your needs, consider the size and weight of your canvas, the desired depth and width for stability and aesthetics, and whether you need additional features like a cross brace. Below are important factors to consider when choosing the right stretcher bars:

• Sizing: Stretcher bars are available in a range of widths and thicknesses, allowing artists to create canvases of all different dimensions.
• Material Quality: Standard stretcher bars are typically budget-friendly and while they offer adequate support for most paintings, they're generally better suited for smaller to medium-sized canvases. Heavy duty stretcher bars are constructed with thicker wood for increased strength and are designed to support larger canvases.
• Bar Depth: Consider bars that are 3/4 inch to 2 inches deep depending on your canvas size and preference. Deeper bars better support larger canvases.
• Corner Joints: Strong corner joints ensure a secure frame that maintains its integrity under tension.
• Cross-Bracing: For additional support, opt for cross-bracing. This structural technique strengthens the frame and prevents warping.

Cross Braces

Using a cross brace along with your stretcher bar is important for several reasons. Cross braces help to prevent warping, enhance stability, and preserve the artwork’s quality. The maintained tension prolongs the life of the canvas by reducing the chance of damage from slack or uneven stretching.

Traditional cross braces are typically wooden or metal pieces that have to be inserted into the stretcher bar frame. Integrated braces are cross braces that are built into the stretcher bars. Keyable cross braces feature a mechanism, usually a key or wedge, that allows the brace to be securely fastened into place. You can find more information on canvas keys in our How to Use Canvas Keys Guide.

Applying Stretcher Bars & Braces

To stretch canvas with stretcher bars, first put together the frame by fitting the bars tightly at the corners. Lay the canvas face down and center the frame over it. Pull the canvas tight over one side of the frame, using canvas pliers if needed. Staple the canvas in the center of each side, working towards the corners. Trim any extra canvas and fold the corners neatly over the frame, stapling them down. This ensures the canvas is stretched smoothly and ready for painting or display. Visit our How to Stretch Canvas Guide for step-by-step instructions or explore our selection of Canvas Stretching Tools to find the appliance you need to get started.

As for applying cross braces, find the appropriate length for your cross braces and place them within the stretcher bar frame, ensuring a snug fit. Cross braces can be arranged in a ladder-like fashion, running parallel to each other, or in an intersecting manner, where they cross over one another. Opting for intersecting braces adds an extra level of stability, but they would need to be notched to get this configuration. Once you have the placement figured out, you can secure the cross braces using screws, nails or pre-drilled holes and pins.

While this guide provides general information, it's essential to follow the specific instructions provided for your particular stretcher bar and canvas size. Lastly, remember to check that the stretcher bar is tight and secure once all the pieces are put into place.