Mounting Paintings: A Guide To Attaching Canvas To Board

Artists may choose to mount their paintings on canvas to a rigid support, such as a board, to preserve the painting's qualities while gaining the advantages of painting on a panel. This process can also prevent deterioration of the paint film over time due to changes in temperature and humidity. There are several methods to mount a canvas to a board, including using adhesive, a heat press, or a sink-mount technique. The specific steps may vary depending on the chosen method, but they generally involve preparing the canvas and board, applying adhesive or creating a sink-mount, and ensuring proper drying and adhesion.

Gluing a canvas painting to a board

Prepare the Canvas and Board

Firstly, ensure your canvas painting is completely dry before mounting. Cut your canvas to size, allowing for a 2" overlap around the board for adhesion. If you plan to wrap the canvas around the board, seal the edges and the back of the board with a sealant like GAC 100 to prevent discolouration. For unprimed wood boards, apply two coats of GAC 100 and let it dry for 1-3 days before proceeding.

Apply Adhesive

Use an adhesive suitable for mounting canvas, such as Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive, Golden Soft Gel Medium, or acrylic gel. Thin the gel medium with a little water and apply it generously over the front and sides of the board. Pay extra attention to the corners, as they are more prone to lifting.

Positioning the Canvas

Place the canvas face-up and position the board on it, ensuring it matches the outline of the canvas. Use a pushpin to make a small prick at each corner of the board, then remove the board. Flip the canvas over and connect the pinpricks with a ruler and pencil to create a rectangle. This will be your guide for adhesive application.

Mounting the Canvas

Place the board back on the canvas, aligning it with the drawn rectangle. Press down firmly and ensure good contact between the canvas and the board. If using a reversible adhesive, you may need to apply heat or water to activate it.

Final Touches

Place a heavy weight on the assembly and let it dry overnight. The following day, turn the mounted canvas face-down and carefully cut away any excess canvas using a box cutter or X-Acto knife. If there are any glue residues, wipe them away with a wet towel.

Remember, this process can be adapted based on personal preferences and the specific materials used. Always ensure your work area is well-ventilated and take the necessary precautions when working with adhesives.

Using a pushpin to secure the canvas to the board

Using push pins is a great way to temporarily secure a canvas while painting or attaching a picture. Push pins are easy to use and versatile, allowing for multiple positions on the canvas to ensure security without compromising aesthetics. They are particularly useful for those who lack experience with nails or screws.

Before starting, it is important to select the right type of push pin for your project. The size of the pin head should correspond to the size of the canvas, with small heads for small pieces of fabric and larger pins for bigger areas. It is also crucial to test out the push pins before beginning, to gauge how hard they will hit the canvas and to ensure they will hold up over time.

When attaching the canvas to the board, first lay the painting face-up. Position the board on top, matching any outlines. Then, use the pushpin to create pinpricks in each corner of the board, before removing the board and flipping the painting over, so it is face-down.

To install a push pin, grab the pin and insert it into the canvas at an angle. Press down on the head of the pin so that the point sticks out about an inch from the surface. Avoid using too much pressure to prevent damaging the canvas surface. If you are working with a pre-painted canvas, be aware that paint can accumulate on the back of the canvas, making pin removal difficult. In this case, use a cloth or paper towel to rub off any paint before attempting to remove the pins.

Cutting the canvas to size

Before you begin cutting, it is important to plan the size of your canvas relative to the size of your board. The canvas should be larger than the board to allow for a margin of error and to facilitate the mounting process. A common recommendation is to have at least a 1-inch or 2-inch overlap around the board. This means that your canvas should be at least 2 inches larger than the board in both height and width. For example, if your board is 12 inches by 16 inches, your canvas should be at least 14 inches by 18 inches.

Once you have determined the size of the canvas relative to the board, you can start the cutting process. Place your canvas on a flat, stable surface and use a ruler or straight edge to measure out the dimensions you calculated. Make sure to account for the overlap on all sides. Using a sharp blade or a box cutter, carefully cut the canvas along the measured lines. Take your time and try to cut in a straight line to ensure a clean edge.

After cutting the canvas to size, you will create a rectangle on the canvas that corresponds to the size of the board. This can be done by laying the board on the canvas and tracing its outline with a pencil. Make sure the outline is accurate and clear, as this will be your guide for the mounting process.

Now that you have the canvas cut to size and the rectangle traced, double-check that your painting, if already painted, is completely dry before proceeding. This is important to avoid any smudging or damage to your artwork. If the painting is not yet dry, allow it to air dry for a few days before continuing.

Finally, with the canvas cut and dry, you can proceed to the next steps of the mounting process, which involve adhering the canvas to the board and securing it in place. Remember to follow the specific instructions for your chosen mounting technique, such as the sink-mount method or using adhesives like glue or gel medium.

By carefully following these steps for cutting the canvas to size, you will ensure a precise and professional-looking result when mounting your painting canvas to a board.

Using a pre-primed canvas

Step 1: Prepare your materials and workspace

Before you begin, gather your tools and materials. You will need a pre-primed canvas, a board (such as an Ampersand wood panel, Hardbord, Unprimed Basswood, or Birch Wood Panel), an adhesive (such as Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive, Golden Soft Gel Medium, or acrylic gel), a pencil, a ruler, a box cutter or X-Acto knife, and weights (such as jugs of water or a box of panels).

Step 2: Trim the canvas (optional)

If needed, trim your pre-primed canvas to size, allowing for a 2" overlap around the panel. This step is necessary if you plan to wrap the canvas around the panel.

Step 3: Apply adhesive

To maximize adhesion, thin the Golden Soft Gel Medium with a small amount of water and apply it over the front and sides of the panel. Be sure to apply extra adhesive to the four corners as they are the most vulnerable to lifting.

Step 4: Position the canvas

Lay your pre-primed canvas face-up and position the board on top, matching the edges of the board to the trimmed overlap of the canvas. Use a pushpin to make a small prick in each corner of the canvas, then remove the board and set it aside.

Step 5: Connect the pricks

Turn the canvas over and identify the pinpricks. Using your ruler and pencil, connect the pinpricks to create a rectangle that will guide your adhesive application and ensure the canvas is properly aligned with the board.

Step 6: Mount the canvas

Follow the instructions on your chosen adhesive for application. Carefully place the board onto the back of the canvas, ensuring it is aligned with your rectangle. Place weights on top of the assembly and allow it to dry overnight.

Step 7: Trim excess canvas (optional)

If desired, use a box cutter or X-Acto knife to carefully trim away any excess canvas or linen. This step will give your mounted canvas a clean and professional look.

Step 8: Finish and frame

If needed, lightly sand any "burrs" or rough edges created by trimming. Your mounted canvas is now ready for framing!

Remember to always follow the specific instructions and drying times for your chosen materials and adhesives.

Pros and cons of mounting canvas to board

There are several reasons why an artist may choose to mount a canvas to a board. Firstly, it can be a cost-effective way to paint, as artists can paint on loose paper or unstretched canvas, which is relatively inexpensive, and then mount it to a board if they are happy with the result. This way, they don't have to throw away an expensive canvas if they dislike the painting. Mounting a canvas to a board can also give a painting a professional and polished look, and it can be easier to store than a stretched canvas. Additionally, mounting a canvas to a board can preserve the painting qualities of the canvas while providing the archival benefits of a panel, such as protection from changes in temperature and humidity that can cause deterioration over time. Artists may also appreciate the customizable texture of wood panels, allowing them to prime the panel to their desired texture.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. One of the main disadvantages of using a board is its weight. Wood panels can be cumbersome and unwieldy, especially when compared to canvas. Artists who prefer a textured surface may not favour boards, as they would need to prime the board themselves to add texture. Additionally, not all artists want to create their own wooden panels, as it requires buying wood and cutting it down to size. While mounting a canvas to a board can preserve a painting, it can also be difficult to unmount without damaging the artwork, especially if paper was used instead of canvas.

Frequently asked questions