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The stretcher bar that you need for your canvas art can be homemade, or you can buy ready-made stretchers. If you aren’t into art or don’t actually paint yourself, you might not think much about the framing products that are used for canvas stretching. However, in order to produce a fine art piece the artist does require the perfect stretcher bar for every single piece of art. Without the right bars, what would have been a masterpiece might only wind up being a mediocre art piece. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to stretcher bars and buying the right ones.

Make sure that they are thick enough. Standard sizes are sold by almost any art supplier, but you still need to make sure that they are suited to your needs. Ensure that the stretcher bar products you find are thick enough (or thin enough) to get the job done. A good rule of thumb is that bigger canvases need thicker bars and smaller ones will use thinner bars. If you can’t find an acceptable item, consider custom-made bars.

Stretcher bars come in rectangular and round shapes, but either one should be smooth and aligned properly. The bars will come in contact with the canvas, and little splinters or rough spots in the wood could ruin the entire piece if you aren’t careful. Misalignments can cause tearing and wrinkles. So watch for those as well.

It helps if you have a stretcher bar with a lipped edge, because it will keep the canvas from touching the frame when it is stretched over. This will give it a longer life and let it stay beautiful for many years to come.

Reputable dealers are a must. You need to make sure that you’re working with an art supplier that not only has what you need, but has a good reputation in the art supply industry. You don’t want to get ripped off or taken advantage of, after all. If you have questions, the people that you are shopping with should be able to answer them promptly so that you can get what you need.

To some, it might seem like a stretcher bar is a stretcher bar, but there is a lot to consider when buying them. Make sure that you choose only high-quality products when you are in the market for stretcher bars and other canvas art tools.