subject: Canvas Stretcher Frame Sizes - A Variety For Your Type Of Art [print this page] Using a wooden stretcher frame is ideal for artists who need their canvas to be tight and smooth. This is commonly used among painters since the mediums they work with tend to make canvas curl. Canvas stretcher frame sizes can come in very large, medium or quite small actually. The smallest size most companies offer is 6 inches. Some canvas stretcher frames can come in different shapes. These can be oval, rounded or even customized to a desired shape. Depending on the artwork you plan to complete, you need to know the different sizes that frames are available in.
The larger canvas stretcher frame sizes can be anywhere from 30 inches to as large as 72 inches or even more. Generally, the larger the frame becomes, the more support it will need. Stretcher frames that are larger than 40 inches tend to need a crossbar or window-like bar in the centre to keep the frame from bending. With most canvases the typical width for the wooden bars are 1.5 inches. You can have the frames cut up to 3 inches, but then these are used for 3D canvas. Although, it is fun to paint the sides if the wood cut is thicker.
Medium sized stretcher frames can vary. These canvas stretcher frame sizes generally fall into the category of 30 - 40 inches. Typically, these are used for landscapes or large portraits. They are commonly seen in hobby stores in the canvas section. The sale price for the medium sizes can vary greatly. While it's convenient to purchase canvas stretcher frames from your local hobby or framing store, you tend to save a little money by making your own stretch frames. However, if you don't know what type of wood to look for or you are unfamiliar with the cuts, it may not be a good idea.
The smallest available canvas stretcher frame sizes are between 6 - 25 inches. The rounded or oval frames which are available in six to twelve inches are often seen used with embroidery. Of course, you can use it for canvas and smaller pictures. However, smaller frames are ideal for stretching small, oval portraits that can be hung or framed later. Most of the stretcher frames will come with interlocking corners that allow the pieces to be easily glued or nailed together. This makes putting the stretcher frames together much less time consuming. Also, it's important to make sure the profiles on your stretcher frames are rounded. This way, when you pull your canvas over it, the indentions of a hard corner will not be visible in your painting.
