If you are choosing between a rolled canvas and a pre-stretched framed canvas for paint by numbers, the short version is this: rolled is cheaper and stores flat but needs mounting when you finish, while pre-stretched is ready to paint and ready to hang but costs a little more and ships bulkier. Our kits ship rolled, so the real question is whether you add the DIY frame kit at checkout or frame the finished piece yourself later.

What each one actually is

A rolled canvas arrives, as the name says, rolled up in a tube. It is a flat sheet of printed canvas with no rigid support behind it. You paint it lying flat on a table, and when you are done you either roll it back up for storage or mount it onto a wooden frame or backing board to display it. A pre-stretched canvas comes already pulled taut over a wooden stretcher bar frame, the same way a traditional artist's canvas looks. You paint it as-is, and the moment the last region is filled it is ready to hang on the wall.

The case for pre-stretched

The big advantage is zero finishing work. There is a real letdown that hits people who finish a rolled canvas and then realize they still have to figure out mounting or framing before they can enjoy it. With pre-stretched, the painting is the finish line. The taut surface also paints beautifully, because the canvas does not shift or ripple under your brush. And the raised edge gives you something to hold. The tradeoffs are price and shipping bulk. A stretched frame costs a bit more and takes up more room in the box, which is why it can be slightly pricier to ship.

If display is your priority, add the DIY frame kit at checkout so the bars arrive cut to your canvas size. Our framed versus frameless breakdown goes deeper on how each looks on the wall.

The case for rolled

Rolled canvas is the budget-friendly, space-saving pick. It ships flat and cheap, stores in a drawer, and travels well, so it is popular with people who paint on the go or who buy several kits at once. The catch is the finishing step. A rolled canvas often arrives with slight curl from being in the tube, so you may need to flatten it under some books for a day before painting, and you will need to mount or frame it afterward. If you enjoy the DIY side, that is a feature, not a bug. We have a full tutorial on framing a finished canvas that makes the mounting straightforward.

Do not confuse the surface with the material

Rolled versus stretched is about the format, not what the canvas is made of. Both come in cotton, linen, or polyester blends, and that material affects texture and how the paint sits. A rigid board is a third option entirely, firmer than canvas and popular for kids. If you want to sort out the underlying material question, our canvas versus board comparison covers that side of the decision.

So which should you buy

Our canvases ship rolled. Add the DIY frame kit if you want the simplest path from box to wall, you are giving the kit as a gift, or you know you will not get around to framing the canvas yourself. Take the canvas alone if you want to save money, you are stocking up on several kits, you need to store or travel with them flat, or you actually like the finishing and framing part. There is no wrong answer, only the one that matches how you want to spend your time. New to all this? Start with our beginner-friendly collection, then browse the best sellers when you are ready to pick your favorite scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a canvas roll or a stretched frame better for paint by numbers?

A pre-stretched frame is easier because it is ready to paint and ready to hang with no finishing work, while a rolled canvas is cheaper and stores flat but must be mounted or framed after you finish. ArtistryByNumbers kits ship rolled, with an optional DIY frame kit of wooden bars cut to the canvas size.

What is the difference between a rolled and a pre-stretched paint by numbers canvas?

A rolled canvas is a flat printed sheet with no support, painted lying flat and mounted afterward. A pre-stretched canvas comes pulled taut over a wooden frame, so you paint it as-is and it is ready to hang the moment you finish.

Do I need to flatten a rolled paint by numbers canvas before painting?

Often yes. Rolled canvases can arrive with slight curl from the shipping tube. Laying it flat under some heavy books for a day before you start removes the curl and gives you a smooth surface to paint on.

Does the canvas surface affect the finished painting?

It affects convenience more than the paint itself. Both formats come in cotton, linen, or polyester and paint well. The main difference is that a stretched canvas is display-ready, while a rolled one needs mounting or framing before it looks finished on the wall.