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how to hang a canvas painting without a frame

Tips and Tricks -

How to hang a canvas painting without a frame ?

You have an unframed canvas at home, but you have no idea how to hang it? Want to find out the best ways to do it? 

The term "unframed" refers to a canvas that does not have a frame connected to it. Because they feature frameless borders, they may be used with any design style. Unframed canvas prints are popular because of their sleek, contemporary appearance. The minimalist aesthetic works nicely with modern furniture and most interior design trends. 

You can hang a canvas painting without a frame by going with nails, wire hooks, using clipboards. You can also go with Washi tapes and or Binder clips. Hammer a nail or two into the wall before placing the top stretcher bar over the nails if you're hanging a canvas stretched over stretcher bars. 

In this article various ways or procedures to hang a canvas painting without a frame will be discussed into details, which include the following:

  • How to display stretched Canvas 
  • How to hang loose Unframed Canvas 
  • How to hang extralarge painting 
  • How to implement the idea of leaning

Before we go into details on how to hang your canvas painting without frames. Let us take a moment to learn more about this decor style by discussing some of the various questions, when the concept of unframed canvas is raised.

hanging unframed canvas art

I) What is the concept of unframed canvas?

The debate over whether to purchase stretched or unrolled canvas is also common. To be displayed, the canvas is stretched across stretcher bars (wooden frames). Rolling up a canvas is merely the print without the stretcher bars, whereas unrolled canvas is the print with the stretcher bars.

An unframed canvas is a piece of art that is not framed in any way. These canvases may be customized to fit practically any style thanks to their frameless borders. When it comes to contemporary décor trends, versatility is vital! Canvas prints that are not framed are popular because they have a lively and contemporary aesthetic. This minimalist approach blends well with modern furniture and decor.

II) The advantages of an unframed canvas are numerous

Hanging the odd unframed artwork, in addition to diversifying the appearance and feel of a gallery wall or any wall art choices, is also as satisfyingly non-committal as learning your art. It's something you should attempt if you prefer to switch up your look frequently. Traditional painters may be biased when it comes to employing frames in their paintings since, as I previously stated, it is an important component of the traditional creative process.

If you're a conventional artist who prefers frames, understanding how to display an unframed canvas painting might open up new options for you. Simply said, it adds a new dimension to your artwork and allows it to interact with its environment. Many interior designers use unframed canvases to embellish barren walls. It's not only less expensive than framed canvases, but it's also easier to construct.

can you hang unframed art

Are you interested in learning more about the advantages of an unframed canvas? Use the advantages listed below to see if an unframed canvas is perfect for your artistic vision.

1) Ideal for a big, open area

Do you have a lot of floor space with a wide, vacant wall? If that's the case, an unframed canvas painting might be a quick and easy statement piece.

2) There will be no distractions from the artwork

While frames can often detract from the artwork, an unframed canvas puts the focus on the artwork.

3) It is very affordable 

When compared to framed pictures, our canvas prints are less expensive, making them a more inexpensive alternative for those on a limited decorating budget.

III) What is the best way to hang a canvas that has not been framed?

Decorating your room with art, mementos, and beloved images is an important aspect of the process. It's a terrific way to bring your individuality into the designing process and make the place truly seem like your own. However, framing the numerous panels required to cover your home's walls may be time-consuming and costly. Fortunately, there are a plethora of different cost-effective and attractive methods to display art and photographs.

hanging unframed art on wall

Mark the area where the canvas will be hung with a pencil. After you've peeled off the other side of the double-sided tape, stick it to the wall. A spirit level will assist you in ensuring that the canvas is level. By gently pushing the canvas against the adhesive, make sure it's securely affixed to the wall. Below is a simple summary on how to hang an unframed Canvas: 

  • To begin, attach two eye hooks to each side of the stretcher bars. By moving them a little, you can see if they're robust enough.
  • After that, cut a small wire and attach both ends to the eye hooks. For added strength, consider a thin wire. Strings degrade with time, and if one breaks, it might cause harm to the painting.
  • After that, decide where you want to put your canvas on your wall. If you don't have a separate gallery, the living room wall is an excellent place to hang your paintings. It should be hung at eye level so that the artwork may be properly appreciated by the audience.

You may also connect a dowel to it and hang it with rope or thread. Hot glue is used to secure the dowels and the top and bottom sides of the canvas. Each end of the top dowel should be attached with yarn, rope, or thread so that it may be hung. By hammering a nail or fastening a tack into the wall, the canvas may be evenly hung. 

Keep reading to know the detailed procedures on how to execute this. 

Let’s take a look at some of the various ways.

1) Stretched Canvas on Display

Fortunately, the majority of canvas art prints are created with the canvas stretched over a wooden frame. This means that if you don't have a frame or like the look of frameless art, all you have to do is hammer a nail in the desired location and hang the painting right on it! Let’s take a look at some of the procedures you can take to display your stretched canvas.

unframed canvas print

A) To hang larger items, install wire on the stretched canvas

This isn't necessary to hang your canvas, but it's a common choice for art larger than 1 foot squares. The wire will be placed between the left and right stretcher bars so that the nail will catch on it. Attach two eye hooks to the back of the painting, one on the inside of each canvas stretcher bar, about a third of the way down, pointing in the same direction. To hang the canvas from the wire, attach a piece of wire to the hooks.

  • The canvas is stretched over the stretcher bars to keep it tight and in place.
  • To keep the wire equal, make sure the hooks are level with one another.
  • Eye hooks and wire for hanging the canvas may be found at your local hardware or art store.
  • Pull up on the wire once it's been attached to the hooks to make sure it's not too long. It's excessively lengthy if it extends over the top of the canvas.

B) Make a mark on the wall where you wish to hang the painting

If you're not using wire to hang the canvas, make a mark just below the center of the top stretcher bar. Hold the canvas up by the wire and lay it against the wall where you'd like it to hang if you've attached one. Make a mark on the wire with your finger, so you know where to put the nail.

Consider using two nails to keep the stretched canvas in place more securely if it is heavier or larger than 1 foot wide. Use two nails if the canvas is large or heavy. Make two markings on the wall and level them to make sure they're even.

dog pop art canvas

C) Partially drive the nail(s) into the wall

Place the nail directly on top of the pencil mark on the wall. Softly drive the nail into the wall with a hammer, leaving at least 1 cm (0.39 in) exposed where the canvas will be hung. If necessary, repeat with the second nail.

If you're hanging a huge canvas with larger stretcher bars, like 1 inch (2.5 cm), expose more of the nail to ensure the canvas is secure.

Install anchor screws first if you're nailing between the studs or fixing the canvas on concrete, so it doesn't fall off the wall.

Find nails long enough to put into the wall and hold the stretched canvas at the hardware shop.

D) Use the nail to hang the canvas

Hang the wire on the nail so that the canvas is completely positioned on the wire. You may need to slide the canvas to the left or right a little until it's perfectly aligned on the wire. Place the edge of the top stretcher bar on the nail(s) so it's securely resting, centering it how you'd like it to appear on the wall if you didn't install a wire.

canvas unframed closeup

2) Hanging Extra Large Painting on the Wall without frames

For pictures weighing 5, 20, or 50 pounds, plastic drywall anchors are a suitable choice. If you wish to hang a gallery wall, metal wall anchors are a choice, but be careful to attach the canvases to a wall stud or a metal bracket. If you wish to hang heavy or more images at once, a rail cable hanging kit is the ideal option.

3) Hanging Loose Canvas Art

You may come across loose canvases that you wish to put on the wall, even though they are usually stretched over wooden frames or fastened into boards. Old paintings' stretcher frames may break, leaving you with a loose canvas.

Antique paintings are sometimes ripped or cut from their frames. Your digital images can also be printed on canvas, and some printers will mail them coiled rather than stretched. Because canvases are textiles (usually woven from cotton or linen), they may be hung in the same way that lightweight tapestries and carpets are. 

A) To hold a huge piece of canvas, use metal hinge clips

In each corner, place a metal clip on the top of the canvas. If your canvas is very huge, use three or more clips to fully support it, or seek for extra-large metal hinge clips that can handle the extra weight.

  • Hold the clips in place with nails or thumb tacks, inserted into the hole at the top of each clip.
  • To hold loose canvas up on a magnetic surface like the fridge, get clips with a magnet on the back.
  • Metal clips are available at your local large box shop or on the internet. 
  • Make sure your clips are equally spaced by using a level.

B) Using thumb tacks, affix a tiny canvas to the wall

If your canvas is light and thin, consider using thumb tacks or push pins to secure it to the wall. Mark a straight line with a pencil where you'd want to affix the canvas using a level. Place a tack in each corner of the canvas, driving the pin through the canvas to fasten it. Place the tack directly on the edge of the canvas and use the tack head to secure it in place if you don't want to push it through the canvas.

C) To keep the light canvas on the wall, use washi tape

Washi tape is a wonderful technique to hang art on the wall, but the canvas must be light and thin in order for the tape to keep it in place. Choose a color or design for the washi tape before pasting it to each edge of the canvas to secure it to the wall.

  • Use a level to create an even line on the wall where the canvas and washi tape will go.
  • Make a washi tape frame by creating a pattern around the canvas's borders, providing a distinctive border.
  • If you're worried about the canvas falling off the wall, tape the back of the canvas with painter's tape or a stronger tape that won't damage the wall before applying the washi tape.

D) Using rope or thread, attach a dowel to the canvas and hang it on the wall

Attach the top and bottom sides of the canvas to the dowels by using a hot glue gun. On either end of the top dowel, tie a length of yarn, string, or rope to hang it on the wall. To hang the canvas evenly, hammer a nail into the wall or pin a tack. It's crucial to attach a dowel to both the bottom and top ends of the canvas so that it hangs flat on the wall.

canvas print unframed

4) Hanging Unframed Canvas painting without nails

It might be tough to hammer nails or drill screws in a rental flat, especially if it is prohibited by your lease. You might be wondering if you can still hang your artwork without using nails or screws. Industrial-grade double-sided tapes may be the answer, which is simpler than you think. For individuals who don't want to hammer nails or drill screws, adhesive tapes are ideal. It's simple to do and won't damage your walls.

5) Leaning the Canvas Art 

You may, of course, avoid hanging completely. Consider resting your paintings against your walls if you want to maintain your walls free of holes. Leaning instead of hanging, especially when done by piling smaller canvas images on a shelf or fireplace mantle, gives more traditional decorating approaches a refreshing, laid-back touch.

pink pop art canvas

Now you know all the techniques to hang a picture without frame perfectly. It is up to you to choose the method that suits you best, depending on your budget or the risk you are willing to take. But no need to call a professional! 

Also, take an inventory of the tools you have at home. This will help you decide which method to use. 

If you prefer to choose a picture with a frame, then you will find what you need in our online store. From minimalist art to pop art and graffiti, you'll find many original visuals that will complement your decor! 

To thank you for having read our blog post so far, take advantage today of a 15% discount on your order with the coupon code: BLOG15.

See you soon.

Splash of Arts Team.