How to fit a canvas on

stretchers to a picture frame

Step 1 –PreparationYou will need a solid flat surface and a thick blanket or similar on which to lay the frame to avoid it being damaged whilst the canvas is being fixed.Tools required: a small hammer, flat head screwdriver of similar width to the Z clipand a pair of pliers.It can also be useful to have someone to help firmly hold down the picture frame

Step 2–

Deciding theZ clips

positioning

Lay the frame on the blanket, front side

down

If your picture frame has been previously

fittedwith small tabs fixed into the frame

that hold a backboard in place, carefully pull them out with the pliers whilst firmly

holding the frame to stop it slipping around

Now decide where the Z clips should be

fixed to the frame. Use the illustration on

the right as a guide to the quantity and positioning

Step 3–

Fixing the Z clips

If there are already convenient slots left over from any fixing tabs removed in Step

2 you can use these as

starter holes for the Z clips. Alternatively, use the flathead screwdriver to make starter slots again making sure you firmly hold the picture frame whilst applying

pressure on the screwdriver

Nowpush one end of the Z clip into the starter holes

(be careful as the ends of the Z clips can be sharp)

. Use the hammer to knock the end of the Z clip all the

way in making sure you don’t hit the picture frame and

damage it!

Step 4–

Fixing the canvas to the frame

Carefully lay the canvas into the frame

rebate taking extra care not to damage the picture with the ends of the Z clips. It can be

helpful to slightly bend the clips backwards out of the way whilst you do this

Position the canvas centrally in the frame

In turn, bend each Z clip over the canvas stretcher and apply pressure so

the end starts to penetrate the stretcher bar. Now use the hammer to carefully knock the end all the way in

Step 5–

Finishing off

Turn the frame over and inspect the painting. If the canvas is sagging slightly in any

of the corners, it suggests some of the wedges have loosened whilst fixing the canvas

Turn the frame back over and place it face

down on the blanket

Carefully tap the wedges in the relevant corner. Don’t overdo it; you just want to make

sure the canvas is taut

Repeat as required

For more information please visit: www.imageframes.co.uk

Or contact us on: 01480 472889