How to Stretch a Canvas

	1. On a flat surface, lay stretcher on the canvas. Be sure to leave just enough canvas to stretch onto frame (around 4 inches on all sides).
	2. Start by stapling the canvas in the centre of each bar (steps 1, 2, 3, 4). Pull canvas tight using canvas pliers, or by hand and staple in place.
	3. Working again on all four sides as above (steps 1, 2, 3, 4), drive 3 more staples about 1.5 inches apart on each side of the first staple, applying tension to the canvas while stapling.
	4. Continue in this fashion, working from the centre out, driving 3 staples at a time.
	5. Leave about 4 inches from the end unstapled on one side to allow for the corner fold.
	6. Staple the other side right to the end and pull the corner of the canvas in……
	7. …and staple
	8. Pull the remaining canvas tight and staple.
	9. This is what a finished corner looks like. Repeat on the remaining corners.
	10. Insert hardwood keys in both slots and tap in firmly with a hammer to expand joint and to provide the desired tension on the canvas.

CAUTION: When gesso is applied to raw canvas, very high tension forces can develop due to the shrinkage of the wet canvas, especially in large canvases. To avoid excessively high strain and potential warping of the frame, do not stretch the raw canvas too tightly at first with the keys. Applying gesso will tighten the canvas and provide you with a firmly stretched canvas base for your painting.