Canvas Prints Stretched on to Frame

[bob]

I bought the easy wrap system from Breathing Color. Oh my gosh it looks so much easier then the stretching and stapling. Thanks Guys!.
Paula

Since you bought this perhaps you'd be in the market for a set of detailed instructions for pouring **** out of a boot.

Stretching canvas prints is one of those things you just do. There's absolutely nothing to it and it's just one of those skills you need to be in this business.

After you do it once or twice you'll have no need of anyone's handy dandy stretcher system. All of those systems might be fine for someone who wants to stretch a print maybe once in their life. If you're going to be doing this sort of thing any more than that, learn how to do it with conventional stretcher bars, a staple gun, and canvas pliers. Once you know how to do it then the Little Giant Super Stretcher System or whatever it is you bought just gets in your way. It's not rocket surgery and if a doofus down to the local frame shop can do it, anyone can do it.

For extra credit, learn how to make your own stretchers out of brick mold or whatever you have laying around. That way you're not stuck with the 2" increments in which commercial stretcher bars are available.

 

[TyrantDesigner]

For extra credit, learn how to make your own stretchers out of brick mold or whatever you have laying around. That way you're not stuck with the 2" increments in which commercial stretcher bars are available.

Pretty much everything that bob said ... but ...

This. most brick molding is laminated stock and is extremely high quality for stretchers that won't warp with time or humidity. It's pretty hefty on the wallet as most places sell by the linear foot ... but worth it. So if you are going for a perm. install ... go with brick molding.

 

[MrSalumi]

Yeah... I don't really think she said that she didn't know how. I think she said it made it easier.. I'll go back and re-read her post just to make sure.

 

[MrSalumi]

Yep! I can read.. She said it would make it easier..

 

[bob]

Yeah... I don't really think she said that she didn't know how. I think she said it made it easier.. I'll go back and re-read her post just to make sure.

Yep! I can read.. She said it would make it easier..

Well sport, she said, and I quote: "...Oh my gosh it looks so much easier then the stretching and stapling..."

If buying proprietary tools and pieces looks easier than merely doing it then it would just naturally seem that she doesn't know how to do it. If she did, she wouldn't have said that nor bought the product. She'd have just done it. In the same or less time and one whole hell of a lot cheaper than with the tackle she bought.

 

[MrSalumi]

Well sport

Thanks Pop!

 

[Big House Signs]

"There's absolutely nothing to it and it's just one of those skills you need to be in this business."

Good for you! That it is so easy for you!
I am a bit challenged and stretching canvas (I have all the tools you mentioned) is not one of the skills I am a master of. But guess what? Still in business after 17 years! And now after purchasing the handy dandy $15.95 stretcher system from breathing color, my self and my employees can wrap and stretch a perfect canvas every time.
Always thankful to signs101 for the knowledge I find here.

Paula

 

[GAC05]

"Jigs or templates have been known long before the industrial age. There are many types of jigs, and each one is custom-tailored to do a specific job. Many jigs are created because there is a necessity to do so by the tradesmen. Some are made to increase productivity through consistency, to do repetitive activities or to do a job more precisely. Jigs may be well made for frequent use or may be improvised from scrap for a single project, depending on the task.
Some types of jigs are also called templates or guides. Jigs include machining jigs, woodworking jigs (e.g. tapering jig), welders' jigs, jewelers' jigs, and many others."

*lifted from Wikipedia - the site for all info that may (or may not) be true

 

[ProColorGraphics]

IT Supplies also carries the stretcher kits at similar prices, but their shipping prices are WAY better.

http://www.itsupplies.com/StretchIT/StretchIT-Gallerie-Wrap-Pro-Bars

 

[TyrantDesigner]

"There's absolutely nothing to it and it's just one of those skills you need to be in this business."

Good for you! That it is so easy for you!
I am a bit challenged and stretching canvas (I have all the tools you mentioned) is not one of the skills I am a master of. But guess what? Still in business after 17 years! And now after purchasing the handy dandy $15.95 stretcher system from breathing color, my self and my employees can wrap and stretch a perfect canvas every time.
Always thankful to signs101 for the knowledge I find here.

Paula

I'm all for alternatives that save you time and energy. If this saves you an excess on man hours and errors ... go for it. It's a tool and tools are ment to be used for success.

I know when It hits the middle of summer, and I'm going heavy into corporate art again ... I stretch by hand since it's an easy skill (just takes practice) and when you get large pieces (3'x10' for example) that easy stretcher system isn't the best and developing a different set of skills helps. If you don't encounter such projects, awesome. Everyone has different strengths, play to yours, kudos on finding something that works.

 

[HDvinyl]

I just made this in 6 minutes, cutting down a 1x2 and making a frame, then I used vhb tape around the bottom edge of the frame and then applied the canvas that way.

Nothing special, but fast, and I think it looks good.