Question Too much canvas wrap?

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PicturedFramer

PicturedFramer

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 23, 2008
Posts
762
Loc
Seattle
Hi
I just got this email from a lady and, well here is question..

"I recently ordered a canvas framed print from a different place. It is a 16 by 12 and when it arrived I noticed that the edges where the canvas folds over is very pronounced - too much so. I was wondering if that is something that could possibly be fixed and if it is - how much would that cost? "

I haven't called her back yet till I can figure out what she is really asking me. Do you think this is a gallery wrap? Or just too much canvas? The strainer is too large maybe?

Kick it around and I'll let you know later.
PF
 
My first thought is that it's not a gallery wrap, but a regular stretching job. Whoever folded the corners, the folds are too thick to suit the lady.

If that's the case...
Not sure if there's anything that can be done. Would have to look at it to see if the corners could be folded differently to lessen their thickness. Failing that, part of the corner canvas could be cut away so that there isn't as much canvas to fold, but I don't like that option personally.

However, if it is FRAMED, as you stated, I'm not sure how she's seeing the corner folds in the first place. Normally they are hidden by the rabbet.

Maybe she means that the ink in the print has separated in the corner area when the canvas was stretched, leaving white "cracks" in the face of the print near the corners or edges?
 
My guess since she said it is framed is that the stretcher protrudes out the back of the frame. Sell her a deeper frame or if this is a decorator print it can be cut off the stretcher and mounted to Gator or masonite. Send an e-mail back asking her to clarify the question.
 
What Jeff said. Asking a question is a good way
to go. It sounds to me like it's been gallery wrapped,
but with lumpy corner folds. The lady I work for sometimes
cuts a 'V' out of the corner canvas so that the folds
take up less room. Does anyone else here do that, or
is it anathema?
 
I try not to cut the corners, but I have to admit, my corners do come out a bit lumpy. That's why you put a frame on these things!
 
I am a little confused by her wording of it being "canvas framed" rather than a "framed canvas." It does sound to me like either the corners are poorly folded or the stretcher bars are too deep. We have no issue with undoing a few staples and refolding corners, but another trick is to simply hammer down the fabric, sometimes that is enough to get them to flatten a bit. Other times we will chisel out corners of the frame. We never cut the corners off the canvas though (not saying its not an option, although its probably not ideal, we simply don't ever suggest it). When the stretcher bars are too deep we will sometimes take the canvas off the old stretcher bars and restretch it on new ones that aren't as deep (that is if the work isn't valuable or fragile and the customer insists on using a shallow frame).
 
Best thing to do is just ask the lady to bring the work in. I find that the terminology that customers use is often used incorrectly which then leads to lots of confusion. So before you end up throwing prices at her and scaring her away, invite her in so that you can see for yourself what the problem is. This way you will sound more knowledgeable and confidant rather than unsure and inexperienced.
 
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