Gallery Wrap, Stretchers, Strainers, AGH!

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ACFramer

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
May 2, 2007
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220
Loc
Kingston, NY
Upon investigation of the archives, I couldn't really find what I was looking for. Since I can remember, I have always used strainer bars that are v-nailed for "stretching" canvas. Due to (and only recently) an influx of customers requesting "gallery wraps," I am on the search for a distributor of deep stretcher bars. There are problems I feel that will arise in pricing, but as long as my customers are asking, I have to be able to supply. Finger-joined pine is what I feel would be the cheapest and best bet. Any of you out there have a reasonably priced supplier?

As a side note, have any of you tried flipping a standard strainer bar on its side to get that 'added depth' of a "gallery wrap?" (I love using these quotations since all of these terms are debatable). I fully realize the difference between strainers and stretchers, and also fully realize the price difference.

We are currently offering restored photographs that are given a painting effect and printed on canvas, and because of the interest in this service, a great deal of our customers KEEP ASKING about "gallery wraps." I've managed to turn a few of them onto the idea of straining and float framing them. But I have also lost some customers to other shops that offer "gallery wraps". Any suggestions, advice, or a quick slap in the face would be appreciated. :D
 
I'm on the opposite coast, and I use Foster Planing Mill, in Los Angeles. They can do conventional strainer bars, as well as true expandable stretcher bars. They also make a "cap" moulding that slides over the strainer bar, giving it the required depth for a gallery wrap.

In your neck of the woods, you might contact Vermont Hardwoods. I just started carrying their frame mouldings in February, and I'm very happy with them.
 
As stated above you buy large strecher stock from a various sources, you can also make your own using exsisting strecher stock or screen stock from local lumber yard. Add latice or whatever size screen stock to the side of the strecher and glue and nail it on. That's how we did it in art school.
 
First ya wanna do it the right way and then you wanna ..........

I have to laugh at how many framers get so picky when it comes to using something like clear silicone to mount a solid object like a collector plate or a piece of rock or artifact, but they will cut all sorts of corners when handling original works of art on canvas!!! Why not rip some pieces of shipping pallets in half and use them as strainers?? The materials are cheap and you will never see them once the canvas is wrapped around the strainer.

Decor has 2 sizes of very good quality gallery wrap strainer stock and there is a Foster Planing Mill on this coast also, in NC or SC, I am not sure as I am not at work yet this morning. Buy the proper product and use it like it is intended and you will probably save some time, money, and comebacks in the long run.

Why cut corners on a canvas just for convenience??
 
RParrish said:
That's how we did it in art school.
Click to expand...

Yes. That's how we also did it in school. We also used a straight line cutter with a rusty blade to cut mats. Oh, and masking tape for our prints.

I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get a small stock of really well-made deep stretchers, and see if I can move it.
 
google strainer bar/gallery wrap (with 'dont includes' such as dick blick-guarenteed to NOT be the lowest price)and you get BOOOCOOO hits!! PIA to wade thru but goes pretty quickly....did this couple months ago & the CHEAPEST I found was somewhere in southern cal(green woods & undocumenteds?????)--no slight intended, just questions.
 
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ACFramer said:
Yes. That's how we also did it in school. We also used a straight line cutter with a rusty blade to cut mats. Oh, and masking tape for our prints.

I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get a small stock of really well-made deep stretchers, and see if I can move it.
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with option I presented, and I wasn't suggesting to make them out of pallets either, it was offered in addition to everyone elses suggestions. If you don't like the suggestion then PLEASE add me to your ignore list or keep it to yourself.

P.S. Sounds like your art school ------, we learned a craft something most art schools ignore or forget in their studies.
 
RParrish said:
There's nothing wrong with option I presented, and I wasn't suggesting to make them out of pallets either, it was offered in addition to everyone elses suggestions. If you don't like the suggestion then PLEASE add me to your ignore list or keep it to yourself.

P.S. Sounds like your art school ------, we learned a craft something most art schools ignore or forget in their studies.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right about art schools, hence what I said. It just seems to me that adding any thin(ish) wood to the outside of a pre-existing strainer bar would not provide enough rigidity to keep the canvas taut OR it would create such a sharp edge that the canvas itself might be compromised.

I will be the first to admit that I am not in any way familiar with large varieities of ways to stretch canvas. It is not something I do too frequently. If you could possibly explain further your idea, I would certainly take it into consideration.

As for my personal educational background, you're pretty much right on the money. But then again, I was a photo major, not a painting major. And as we all know TOO well, most artists working (at least for my business) in 2D media are the absolute worst when it comes to knowledgeable mounting methods! With the onslaught of new availabilities in substrates that we can print on, I'm having to up my game. My inquiries on this forum are evidence of that. In no way was I attempting to be condescending. I'd appreciate the same respect.
 
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