Stretching Canvas

1. Make sure the stretcher bar frame is perfectly square. Push corners firmly together.
2. Place the canvas face down on a flat surface. Place the stretcher bar frame on top of the canvas.
3. Center the image on the stretcher bar frame.
4. Using a staple gun, start to staple the canvas to the stretcher bar frame. Use stretcher pliers to keep the canvas tight. Use of tracks is also recommended, as they will hold the canvas better over the years.
5. As you stretch the canvas in the order shown in the figure, the canvas will have a diamond shaped wrinkle. Don't worry. As you staple from the center to the corners, the diamond shaped wrinkle will work to the corners until it disappears.
6. Continue working from the center outward using a staple at one inch intervals.
7. Periodically turn the canvas over to check and make sure that the image remains centered.
8. Keep the canvas stretched tightly. Tap the canvas with your finger and listen for a drum like sound.
9. When you reach the corners, fold the canvas over as shown.
10. Leave an inch or more of surplus canvas and fasten it down to the rear of the stretcher bar frame. This permits the canvas to be restretched if necessary.
11. Trim away any surplus canvas.
12. Don't worry about staples or nails rusting. They will hold in wood for centuries. Copper or aluminum nails don't hold in wood, so don't use them.