Complete kitNo tools neededHeight 110 to 200 cm / 43 to 79 inCrossbar and corner braces
The essentials: a wooden stretcher frame for large formats: height 110 to 200 cm / 43 to 79 in, width 30 to 100 cm / 12 to 39 in, with cross reinforcement that stops the frame twisting. 2.5 cm / 1 in thick, instructions included. From €30 to €99 depending on size, free standard shipping.
Why a big stretcher has a bar across the middle
A frame over a metre a side cannot get by on four bars. The tension of the canvas pulls on all four sides constantly, and a frame that is too long begins to twist: the rails bow inwards, the canvas slackens in the middle and shows waves in raking light.
The answer is the one studio stretchers have always used: a central crossbar and corner braces that take the load and hold the frame square. That is what the kit image shows — the structure is denser than on a small format. Without that reinforcement a 100 × 200 cm / 39 × 79 in frame deforms within months, whatever the quality of the wood.
What the kit contains
Four grooved wooden bars cut to the size ordered, plus the crossbar and the corner braces needed for the chosen format. The pieces slot together with no screws and no glue.
Add the wall fixings, two screw hooks and an illustrated instruction sheet. The wood comes from sustainably managed forests, and the assembled frame is 2.5 cm / 1 in thick.
Technical specifications
Worth knowing: beyond 150 cm / 59 in in height, build the frame with two people: the canvas has to be tensioned on two opposite sides at the same time to stay square. Lay the whole thing flat on the floor, never upright against a wall.
Choosing the right size
The frame is ordered at the exact size of the canvas, height and width separately, with no margin added. The range covers heights of 110 to 200 cm / 43 to 79 in against widths of 30 to 100 cm / 12 to 39 in — in other words the tall formats of the collection. The size chart by wall type helps you choose the canvas size in the first place.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does a big stretcher need reinforcement?
Because canvas tension pulls constantly on all four sides and a long frame twists: the rails bow in, the canvas slackens and shows waves in raking light. A crossbar and corner braces take the load and hold it square.
What frame size should I order?
The exact height and width of the canvas, with no margin. A 100 × 150 cm / 39 × 59 in canvas takes a 150 cm / 59 in height and a 100 cm / 39 in width.
Can one person assemble it?
Up to 150 cm / 59 in in height, yes. Beyond that, work with two people: the canvas must be tensioned on two opposite sides at once to stay square. Always lay it flat on the floor.
Does this frame fit the panoramic canvases?
Not the largest ones. The range stops at 200 cm / 79 in in height and 100 cm / 39 in in width, so a 110 × 220 cm / 43 × 87 in panoramic exceeds it on the width whichever way round you turn it, and needs a made-to-measure stretcher. Up to 100 × 200 cm / 39 × 79 in the kit works.
Is the wood treated?
The bars come from sustainably managed forests, planed and grooved, with no varnish or stain: the frame sits behind the canvas and is not meant to be seen. Wipe dry only.
How do I clean the frame?
A dry microfibre cloth handles almost everything. On the aluminium, a barely damp cloth with no detergent; on the wood, dry only. No abrasive sponge, no glass cleaner.
