Question stretching a synthetic canvas

[kuluchicken]

I've never stretched a synthetic canvas before. I've been told by another framer it isn't worth stretching because the continue to sag and they have to be restretched all the time.

The painting is a cheap knock off bought from a door to door sales person. Would you suggest cold gluing it in the vacuum press perhaps?

Your opinions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Glue it down using a fabric adhesive or mounting film such as Fusion. Pressure sensitive adhesives require a huge amount of pressure with a cold roller press or they let loose over time. If you stretch it the thing will become your worst recurring nightmare.

 

[Lance E]

We would normally suggest a cold roller mount, if not a starch mount in a vacuum press would be the next option.

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Cheap canvas sold door to door by a guy who used to sell vacuum cleaners just needs dry mounting. No worries of any value here.

 

[Lance E]

I tend to steer away from applying heat to such items in case they melt or it burnishes them - also the mounting film is expensive compared to starch mounting.

 

[kuluchicken]

Thanks so much Jeff and Lance for your replies. Most appreciated.

Am I right in assuming that one would never stretch a synthetic canvas, that it is always a nightmare to work with?

Cheers

Michele

 

[Lance E]

I would offer all options and combinations of them, they can select whatever they like so long as they are fully aware of the benefits & drawbacks of the options.

 

[FrameMakers]

I have never had much of a problem with stretching them. The only canvas I have ever had loosen up on me were some unknown giclee prints.

 

[kuluchicken]

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Could I please have some more input from others at to whether they have had problems with sagging synthetic stretched canvasses in general or whether they stretch just as well as a normal canvas.

Thanks

Michele

 

[Jeff Rodier]

Synthetic canvas that has a good coating of paint on it won't pose much of a problem since the paint will bind the fibers. It is the printed canvas or those that have very thin coatings of paint on them that loosen. I get a ton of the vacation paintings that are painted with latex house paint and they need to be mounted because the paint is already cracking and will flake off in large chunks when stretched.