Framing your painting

1. Unroll it gently

1. Let the tube sit indoors for a few hours so the paint reaches room temperature. Cold paint can crack.
2. Open the tube on a clean table and slide the roll out. Don't pull on the canvas itself.
3. Unroll it with the paint facing up. Never fold it or press on the painted surface.
4. Lay it flat, face up, and weigh the edges lightly with books on clean paper. Most canvases relax flat within a day or two.

2. Have it stretched

“Stretching” means fixing the canvas over a wooden frame (stretcher bars) so it sits taut. Any picture framing shop can do this; ask for the canvas to be “re-stretched on stretcher bars”. Bring the painting flat or loosely rolled, paint side out.

A framer needs a margin of bare canvas around the edges to wrap over the bars, usually about 2 inches (5 cm). If the margin is narrower, a good framer can add a strip of canvas to extend it. Ask us before you buy if you want to know the margin on a particular painting.

3. Choose a frame — or don't

Many contemporary paintings look beautiful without a frame once stretched, especially with painted edges. For a finished look, a simple floater frame leaves a small gap around the canvas and suits most works. Detailed Mongol zurag paintings on cloth are often framed behind glass with a mat.

4. Hang it well

• Hang the centre of the painting about 57–60 inches (145–152 cm) from the floor.
• Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, fireplaces and bathrooms.
• Dust lightly with a soft dry brush. Never use water or cleaning products on the paint.

Need help?

If the canvas doesn't relax flat, or you're unsure about anything, write to us from your order page with a photo. We're glad to help.