subject: All that you need to know about artist stretcher bars [print this page] All that you need to know about artist stretcher bars
The name artist stretcher bars itself suggest that these stretcher bars are actually meant for artists and/or for art. True to its name, these bars are used by artists to hold the canvas in position as they get working on it and after they finish their work and present it before the world to delight the eyes of the art aficionados. With the growing business of art, there are more museums or galleries coming up in major cities and so, the need for the art stretcher bars have also increased. This has led to a lot of competition in the thriving business of art stretcher bars thus the customer is getting more options, more flexibility, better quality, lower prices as the service providers try to outdo each other and grab more customers.
How to fit the stretcher bars?
Fitting of stretcher bars is quite simple on paper but would require a skilled hand in basic carpentry at least. Four stretcher bars are taken and placed adjacent to each other so as to form a square or rectangle of a size corresponding to the canvas in concern. The bars aren't fixed permanently. They are fixed using intermittent or butt joints so as to leave some room for the expansion or contraction of wood (which might occur due to the moisture or dryness in the air). Next step is the placement of canvas, which needs extreme care. The canvas must be placed on the frame created and tagged or clipped in such a manner that the pressure is equal on all the sides of the canvas, thus avoiding any tear.
The stretcher frames are readily available in standard sizes and designs. However, an artist, being the creative person he/she is would want even the frame to be unique and suiting the art on canvas. Thus, the need for customized bars is quite evident. The type of wood is also a major concern along with the design as the type of wood dictates the cost of the bars and the quality too. Buying of artist stretcher bars in bulk is also a good proposition to reduce the cost.
