How to Tighten Stretched Canvas - more reliable method!

Saggy canvas can take away your joy of creating a painting! It also causes wrinkles on artwork, and can distract the viewer from all the beauty of the piece. Many factors can contribute to canvas losing its "stretch", but there is a way to resolve this issue. Unfortunately, highly recommended canvas tightening methods, such as spraying water on the back and using a hair dryer, or hammering in canvas keys, have not provided me with lasting results.
(and YUP - in my quick demo on canvas keys, canvas does have staples in the corners that prevent stretcher bars from coming apart - making canvas keys essentially useless in this scenario. This is how canvas came from the store, and I purposely used it AS IS - with included keys and without any canvas modifications. Obviously, canvas keys designed to work by pulling apart canvas frame corners - but they're not always the effective solution. Framed canvases, for example, can not be expanded with canvas keys. Sometimes, canvas keys do the stretching, but leave canvas lopsided).
My personal solution is a tad different, but over many years in the art business, it has served me well. I hope that it works for you too - please comment below on your results!
-Anastasia Mak
📬 Grab my free GUIDE of acrylic painting supplies + a video LESSON here: amakart.myflodesk.com/
🖥 Website: anastasiamak.com/
☆ Painting workshops: amakart.com/

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Thank you for watching! I've replied to many comments below, but please remember that if you're not sure about how this will come out, always TEST first!🖌 (also, if you are just starting out, grab my free guide of acrylic painting supplies + a video lesson here: amakart.myflodesk.com/supplies-list )

[@lonnowhooptonno8051]

This is so great! My little trick instead of using the sponge brush (which I broke after the first canvas) is just to use a palette knife and swipe the matte medium into the corners. Thanks so much for this! fantastic!

[@jdmgraphic]

This really does work! I just tried it on a very large canvas that was sagging from repainting. Thank you Anastasia 👍🏻🎨

[@rosalynkliot2496]

Thank you; I intuitively thought that sizing the back of my painting with matte gel medium should resolve a loose already painted canvas...and you confirmed it! I used the method and it worked in time for the exhibit.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Glad to hear it worked for you! 👍🏼

[@julianewart7643]

Top tip ..many thanks... fixed 3 loose canvases with Liquitex Matt medium.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

So glad it worked for you! 👍🏼

[@pegrasmusson4636]

My freshly made painting was accidentally set in a chair and leaned on during Christmas, which caused the canvas to be stretched out! My son found your post immediately and the next day I bought a bottle of mat medium by liquitex. It worked fantastically and I am so incredibly thankful to you for sharing your very knowledgeable recommendation on how to fix this problem! I've been painting acrylic for years and not only will be using the mat medium on the backs of my canvases from here forward, but also, the gloss varnish! I'm so excited to figure this out and it's kind of funny. Funny! I had zero idea about this since I paint so much! So again, thank you so much!

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

So glad it worked for you and saved your painting! Thanks for your comment!

[@pauldutra9047]

Thank you so much for the tip on Liquitex Matte Medium for tightening the canvas. It completely solved the wrinkle problem on a very large canvas. It's important to emphasize applying the medium all over and especially into the corners. Thank you again.

[@brandibosma2362]

Omg! I have this issue but I just do pour paintings. I’m not really artistic, I let the paint do that for me. But I hated the canvases being loose. Any topper especially epoxy would sag. I just tried it with floetrol and it immediately worked. Now I guess I’ll have to see if it stays that way but I hope so , especially since it’s so much cheaper than liquitex, and saves the liquitex for mixing or topcoat. Thank you so much! You just made my day!!!

[@kathibecker5351]

Did floetrol on the back of your canvas work for you?

[@paintingtracey]

This worked perfectly, thanks. And I used a palette knife on the sides and corners and that was easy.

[@malgozata1875]

Anastasia, this is exactly what I need to for my next painting project. Thank you so very much.

[@vasswts1628]

This is brilliant! Oh my gosh it worked out so well and so fast, I'm truly astonished! Thank you so much for this amazing tip! I usually use canvas keys to stretch out my canvases but I had one that really sagged after drying and had no holes on the back for keys. But honestly, your hack works so much better! I used Acrylic Matte Medium by Amsterdam and it worked just fine.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

So happy that it has worked for you!!! Thanks for reporting your results.

[@tammyparo3279]

Thank you so much! Honestly this is the best solution I’ve come across!

[@tonygatos1]

I will definitely try out this method. Thank you

[@alzenirsimonsen7796]

The paint behind you is so beautiful 👏👏

[@gravitypronepart2201]

Love this. I have a canvas that was very saggy. I shemmed it and sprayed water on the back, but now it has these dimples on each corner. And i also noticed the shems are loosey goosey. So im going to try this. Thanks

[@maryherouvis361]

What a great idea! Do you think spraying it with water first, then applying the medium for extra tightness would work, or is it best to just skip the water step all together? Also what if the canvas has gesso and is saggy; will the medium still work or does it have to be a unpainted clean canvas? Thxx again for this tip!

[@julesmadden2567]

Makes so much sense, worried about tightening with water, shipping off to buyer then canvas sagging over time :( I haven't had problem with saggy canvasses until I started painting with oils, I'm going to try this thank you

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Thanks, hopefully this method ends up working well for you!

[@robertcochran7103]

I can confirm that this method works on Belgian linen, using Golden Matte Medium Item "3530-5 / Series B". It does indeed cause the linen to stretch. In my case, I perhaps applied less medium than might be shown in the video, and the canvas does not stretch "tight as a drum", but it is much tighter than the untreated person. It works fine.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Excellent, thanks so much for your update!

[@christineannette7482]

wow what a great idea! I cringe at the idea of water to the frame and also, saw a video on stretching with keys and the canvas frame looked bowed. I really appreciate this tip of using matte medium, which I have plenty of for abstract painting. Thank You and your work is beautiful!

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Thanks for your comment!

[@yoannamareva3110]

Wow! This is amazing! My canvases used to be as drums when I was prepping them with a coat of animal bone glue back in the days. But that stuff is smelly and it is hard to prepare for use. Now I only used gesso and was disappointed to see my canvases aren’t at all as tight as once in the old years. A good thing is that I have made my wood underframe with a slight angle on the front side, so I have space to put the medium to the corners easily. Will try this today. Be happy and healthy everyone :)

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Thank you, and smart call on the wood stretcher frame!

[@scholarthefuture7284]

Ok I will try it

[@annkelly8264]

Thank you so much for this info. I am working on a 6'x4' oil painting commission and after the first coat of paint I noticed an area that developed a bump. I sprayed the back with a bit of water and within minutes it smoothed out BUT the areas around the problem developed waves much bigger than the original problem! So... I will definitely try your method, I'm just not sure whether to wait until the painting is finished or try it right now before I go any farther!

[@angeltapia7231]

How did the method work on your oil piece ? I have a an oil piece I want to do this with. 😁

[@annkelly8264]

@@angeltapia7231 It worked to a certain extent, but it was most successful when I ran a hair dryer on the corners in the back.

[@angeltapia7231]

@@annkelly8264 same here! I did it that as well and i it worked wonderfully

[@johnduffy1114]

Won’t you have problem removing the canvas if needed later? Won’t the canvas be sticking to the frame where it meets?

[@WingedWheelArt]

Makes sense 🎉 dumb question, hopefully won’t get a dumb answer: does it have to be matte medium would gloss do just as well?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Gloss medium should work the same way, i just never tried it myself because I always have matte in my studio. There’s a possibility of it being more sticky. Be mindful when applying gloss medium near stretcher bars, don’t put a thick layer in that gap to ensure that it doesn’t accidentally stick to wood.

[@FranciscoAntonio-rd1eu]

Guau!..siempre que veo éstos trabajos pensaba...por qué no sellan el lado del revés? asi obtienen un canvas con más resistencia , y tirantes , doble permeabilidad y ahorro en absorción de pintura , gracias

[@javierdiaz9497]

Awesome video, Anastasia. Can the medium be applied in this way to a finished painting?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Yes, you can apply it on the back of finished painting. Depending on how thick the painting layers are it may or may not be very effective in tightening the canvas fibers, but it won't harm the piece. Just be sure to only apply a thin layer.

[@malgozata1875]

Hello Anastasia, I am revisiting this video in preparation for doing exactly that, applying matte medium to the back of my canvas. . Questions: I see how you are able to access areas under the wooden frame, but what about the sides of the canvas, since you can't reach them? and, actually, even with the foam brush, you cannot reach the very tips of the corners. So, how do you handle these areas? And, how else do you use matte medium? Thank you.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

There's no need to cover sides of canvas - unless, they're sagging too, but in that case, the canvas should probably be removed and re-stretched altogether. Reaching tips of corners can be done by a different tool - like, a very skinny flat brush for example. But if we're talking about a tiny dime-sized area in the corner, then it's no big deal if it doesn't get covered. If the canvas tightens up after applying matte medium, but leaves wrinkles in a corner part that wasn't covered, then you'll want to get deeper in there to apply it where the wrinkle appeared. I use matte medium also with acrylic paint, to create matte texture for other paint layers, and for smooth application of paint pen. And, it works as glue for mounting canvas to flat panels, or for mounting paper collage over painting (but, canvas has to be pressed down with weight, in order to actually stick to a flat panel).

[@malgozata1875]

@@AnastasiaMakArt Hello Anastasia, thank you so very much for answering all of my questions. Very helpful. I appreciate it.

[@staneyscakes]

Can i just use watered down white glue?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

You can try it, but glue is more sticky so it may possibly stick canvas to wood, and it is also non-archival so it might yellow over time.

[@rufusslade5580]

Excellent comparison of the different methods. When you buy primed canvases, is the gesso priming only applied to the front?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

yes, the back doesn't have to be primed

[@karenfletcher3153]

Brilliant! Giving it a try now.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Great, let me know how it works out for you!

[@karenfletcher3153]

@@AnastasiaMakArt it's working great! Are you still using Liquitex matte medium? Would you suggest spending the $ on a better brand (vs say Creative Inspirations from Jerry's Artarama) to ensure archival quality? Thanks!

[@jeffreygatrall]

I will try this and let you know.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

I look forward to hearing how it works out for you!

[@annsalty5615]

A few comments. Those canvas keys will not likely work unless you remove the stables holding the stretcher bars square. You probably are gluing your canvas to the stretchers using this method which may work short term but not if your work ever needs to have the stretchers replaced. Your paintings are very nice.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Thanks for enjoying my work! If you were to try this method, you'd discover that the canvas does not adhere to stretcher bars at all (that would be bad, and not what we're going for, hehe). This thin amount of matte medium simply tightens the weave. If someone applied globs and globs of thicker medium, then it could possibly stick, so I wouldn't recommend that approach.

[@FlorianFiernow]

Problem is what you do if your work is already painted? U cant give the medium on mass on the back, because it will be come thru the front and u will see this on the front if not every single erea is fullfilled with color

[@MikeCampo]

I have a bottle of matte medium that I've been using to coat my pencil drawings on illustration board prior to oil painting, but I'll definitely be giving this a try with my canvases! Thanks

[@melissahartley1143]

Hi Anastasia, can you tell me is Golden GAC 100 ok to use as an alternative to the Liquidtex matt medium? I can see they are both acrylic polymers. I definitely want to try this, thank you for sharing!

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

I’ve never tried that one, but it will probably have the same effect, considering they are similar products. I do recommend testing it on a small piece / section of canvas before applying it to the whole area.

[@melissahartley1143]

@@AnastasiaMakArt thanks so much for your response. I have reached out to Golden customer service to see if they can tell me if it's the same. 🙂

[@PamRudd-r4x]

What is the reason I can’t paint the front of the blank canvas with matte medium to tighten ?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Because (presumably) the front of your stretched canvas is primed. So the medium would not be as effective at tightening canvas fibers, with a coat of primer being in the way.

[@patriciapaints]

Linen fabrics tend to shrink upon washing and will not regain their original form. For a water-tightening method without the risk of sagging again, consider opting for 100% pure linen canvas. ❤ edit: never do this with a canvas that has been primed with rabbit skin glue! only universal primed.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Thanks for the info! Personally, for my painting creation, I like the texture of cotton canvas over linen. I find linen to be too smooth.

[@libotomy]

hi! I just stretched my first canvas and it definitely isn't like a drum... do you have any tips to know if the canvas needs to be re-stretched as opposed to using this trick? Thanks so much for sharing the info!

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Impossible to answer without seeing your canvas.

[@libotomy]

@@AnastasiaMakArt thanks for answering- I think I'm going to try hammering in some shims and maybe gluing them in and then trying this technique to tighten further.... as it is it looks flat but it pushes in easily and doesn't make a firm sound if I tap on it

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

@@libotomy you could consider canvas keys - I suggest finding up a detailed instructional video on how to hammer in canvas keys, and what issues to watch out for. If they don't help, you can also do the matte medium method. Good luck!

[@user-nq7wv5gp4c]

What if your idea doesn't work? Can I remove the matte medium? I havent found a method yet that will stretch my painted canvas. Thanks for your time.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

No, it's not removable as it has to fully dry to be effective. But it doesn't harm the canvas, so the worst thing that can happen is canvas stays saggy on your stretcher bars. However, I always tell people to test it out on a "cheap" canvas first, (maybe even on a loose canvas sheet - not to tighten it of course, but just to see for yourself how it affects the backside).

[@jeordiekennedyart]

Can white glue not do the same

[@giodrakes]

Well, darn. The water trick works for me an I only had to spray the thing once, and there's no sun here right now so it dried indoors sitting on my cutting mat, on my table. It's tight as a drum today. I am going to see if it sags again in a few days. If that happens, I'm going to get the medium, and then spray it again, and when it's tight as a drum, I'll do the medium to help it stay in place. My other problem is that the artist didn't wrap the canvas all the way around the wood frame, to the back and now the edges are fraying. Don't want to change the frame cause it has her sticker on it. I am pondering using the medium as a 'glue' , to stick the frayed edges to the sides of the wood frame.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

It can definitely be used as glue, too!

[@gesu1742]

Wow, big brain moment : )

[@crystalpittman2173]

I have liquitex satin medium will that work? Thanks

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

It’ll likely have the same result as matte medium

[@amandahollettroberts9945]

Will liquid matte varnish work the same?

[@tracygilleland]

I purchased canvas print from ICanvas. It arrived very loose. Can I use this process on it?

[@Loonit23]

Really awesome video! Do you think it will work on canvases without the wood frames supporters in the back? I have saggy foldable canvases and I'm not sure if your Matte Medium solution will work. What do you think?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

You need the canvas to be on a stretcher in order for it to be "stretched". Otherwise, you just have a piece of loose canvas - so I'm not quite sure if I understand this question? Loose canvas can bend or sag any time in any direction, it's just a piece of fabric.

[@Loonit23]

@@AnastasiaMakArt Ok I understand. Thank you.

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you for the suggestion. I am very inexperienced and new to painting, and to using stretched canvas. I purchased an 8 inch x 8 inch stretched linen canvas. It was sagging when I took the shrink wrap off it. I did go ahead and paint it, and I applied an isolation coat to the painting as well. I have been looking for ways to tighten the canvas. I will try your suggestion of using matte finish on the back of the canvas. I think I should try to tighten the canvas before I go ahead and apply varnish to it. The canvas keys that came with that small canvas did not work, just as you show in your video. I have some questions. Do you think applying the matte finish will work on linen? This is less expensive linen I fear. Have you tried other brands of matte finish? Thank you for your video, I really appreciate it.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

I think it should work fine with linen, linen is usually thinner but tightening of the fabric is the same principle. I haven't tried other brands of matte medium - if you do, read product information to make sure it is archival and water-based (not oily) - and of course, do a test first to see how it dries.

[@robertcochran7103]

@@AnastasiaMakArt Thank you so much! I will try the Golden brand of matte medium and let you know how that works.

[@robertcochran7103]

@Anastasia Mak Art I purchased Golden Matte Medium, item "#3530-5 / Series B", and some 3" x 6" mini-canvas that have been primed. I used a foam brush to apply the matte medium to the back of both canvases, as you demonstrate in the video. However I used less matte medium material than you seem to in the video. I am inexperienced and too cautious, perhaps. I let the canvases dry overnight, and the matte medium does seem to stretch the canvas. The canvas is glued onto the stretcher bars in these small canvases. I am not sure what the canvas material is. Cotton, perhaps? The packaging doesn't say. The matte medium seems to work for this purpose. I was pleased with this, so I went ahead and coated a larger 8 X 8 test canvas, the one described above. Again I did not apply a lot of matte media. I just did apply this, I will see what the results are tomorrow morning. Your video is most helpful to me, and I very much appreciate it. Thank you!

[@lesleyyoung7050]

@@AnastasiaMakArt I

[@craigpalmer9431]

I'm going to try this on a large ungessoed 6'x6' canvas. Should I apply the medium to the back before I apply the gesso or after?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

You should apply gesso first. It may tighten up your canvas enough without the need to coat the back.

[@joannegriffiths6847]

Hi I’m doing a resin piece on canvas a couple of coats does it have to be Matt medium or can a gloss work as I have some of that ? Thank you

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Gloss will probably work, but it will be more sticky. You may wanna test it on a small canvas first.

[@lindafischer9384]

Can you use the matt medium on a fully painted canvas that rippled?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Sure!

[@danteharrison52]

Thank you, I tried this method, and to say my canvas was saggy would be an understatement, more wavy and not easy to paint on anymore. Applied generously, into all areas of the canvas, it dried overnight and the canvas is now reasonably taut again. Though am wondering if cheap pva glue could have worked as well ?

[@martinetzler7809]

Un interesting idea, I'm definitely going to try it. Unfortunately, too much talking and stretching time with unimportant fillers. I got bored and almost clicked myself out. Glad, I didn't do it.

[@ppatz8286]

I agree Martin.. Too much talking. Just get to the point. Having said this, it was extrmelyhelpfyl and informative. Just need to employ the KISS (Keep it Short and Simple) method in your presentation.

[@janetbradfield7146]

I have a framed oil?? painting that was unfortunately placed over a sack of rice when transported - 12hours. It is a bit stretched at that point. Is it likely to shrink back or can it be easily fixed?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Leaving it on a flat surface for a week or so may bring it back to its original shape, so give that a try first!

[@janetbradfield7146]

@@AnastasiaMakArt thank you. Its framed. But I'll see what can be done. 😊

[@hritikamishra3555]

What is the name of the solution you are using , please i really need to buy that one

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Liquitex Matte Medium

[@AlisaChagnon123]

Thanks for this post! should this be done before or after painting? And as a separate question, if I'm spray painting acrylic paint onto a canvas to then glue craft pieces to it, do I need to put a top coat?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

You can do it at any point when you find your canvas sagging. With a top coat, you have to research that for the specific craft media that you are using.

[@TheRobsterStudio]

Will this medium work on oil painting?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

If the back of your canvas is not oily, it should

[@EL-ng9cy]

Would “gel medium” work too?

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

I should work in a similar way, it would just be thicker when applied.

[@MarcusPocus]

❤❤❤

[@1MinutePainting]

😊☺️😍🤩👏👍👍👍

[@Strawdozz]

You are trying to put keys in a stretcher where the bars have been fastened to each other by nails. No wonder it does not work..

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

Canvases with interlocking stretcher bars don't have nails 😄

[@Strawdozz]

@@AnastasiaMakArt Indeed. But the one you tried to stretch, do have. Someone nailed them across (two per intersection), just to make sure.. :)

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

@@Strawdozz those aren't nails. They're staples. 😄 This is how canvas comes from Blick - with staples on back, and a set of canvas keys. These staples were pretty shallow, but if they do prevent stretcher bars from spreading, that makes canvas keys in this situation even more fruitless, right?

[@Strawdozz]

@@AnastasiaMakArt Staple is a type of nail. No, it rather makes Blick clueless then :) What else would prevent the bars from spreading? They clearly dont spread at all in your vid and on other vids, they do (at the end, there is a visible gap between the bars). If you removed the staples it would probably work. In any case, its good to know about other methods of 'spreading'.

[@AnastasiaMakArt]

@@Strawdozz Several things can interfere with keys getting stretcher bars to spread - sizing, for example. Way too often included keys are either too fat or too skinny, which prevents them from being hammered far enough in, or, they fall out. Also uneven or cracked wood inside the openings can create a similar issue. If the canvas is framed, the keys likely won't work. Not to mention, if keys DO work, they must be go into all 4 corners, otherwise canvas ends up lopsided. Most canvas keys demo videos show them working as designed - of course they do! - yet in reality that's not always the case. But hey, if in your art practice keys perform flawlessly, great for you, no other tightening method needed then 👍

[@user-fo5pi3mx5r]

The Medium - DOES NOT WORK!!! expensive and ineffective. iT stays tight for 2-3 days - then back to sogginess!!