Before You Frame: Finish the Canvas Properly

1. Let the paint dry fully

Acrylic dries to the touch in 30 minutes but takes 24-48 hours to fully cure. Wait at least a day before framing.

2. Apply a varnish (optional but recommended)

A thin coat of acrylic varnish (matte or gloss) protects the painting from dust, UV light, and minor scratches. It also deepens the colors. Most craft stores stock acrylic varnish for under $15.

3. Check the edges

If you painted a cotton canvas sent to you rolled (not stretched), you'll need to either stretch it onto a frame or mount it on a backing board before framing.

Three Ways to Display Your Finished Kit

Option 1: Stretcher Bars (recommended)

This is the most professional look. Stretcher bars are wooden frames sized to match standard canvas dimensions. You stretch and staple your finished canvas around them, then hang the whole thing directly on the wall, no outer frame needed.

Cost: $15-30 for a set of stretcher bars at any craft store.
Looks: contemporary, gallery-style.

Option 2: Traditional Frame with Mat

Mount the finished canvas on a foam core backing, cut a mat board to your preferred proportions, and frame the whole thing. This is a more classic presentation that works particularly well for landscapes and florals.

Cost: $25-80 depending on frame size and quality.
Looks: classic, formal.

Option 3: Float Frame

A float frame creates the illusion that your canvas is floating inside the frame, with a small gap between the canvas and the frame border. Very contemporary look, great for abstract and modern pieces.

Cost: $40-120.
Looks: modern, gallery.

Hanging Tips

• Hang the center of the artwork at eye level (approximately 57 inches from the floor for most rooms).
• If grouping multiple pieces, leave 2-3 inches between frames for a clean cluster look.
• Use a level before drilling. Nothing undoes a nice framing job faster than a crooked painting.
• Consider the light source. Avoid hanging directly opposite a bright window, which can cause glare.

Preserving Your Canvas Long-Term

• Keep out of direct sunlight (UV fades acrylic over years).
• Avoid hanging in high-humidity rooms like bathrooms.
• Dust occasionally with a soft dry cloth.

Ready for Your Next Project?

Once you've framed your first piece, you'll want to start another. Browse our best-selling paint by numbers kits or try a custom kit from your own photo.