Securing a canvas painting in a frame, particularly a back-loading frame, typically involves using specific hardware to hold the canvas stretcher against the frame's rabbet.
When framing a canvas painting in a frame designed for back-loading (where the artwork is inserted from the rear), you need a reliable method to keep the canvas snug and prevent it from shifting. The standard approach uses small metal clips and screws.
Using Offset Clips for Back-Loading Frames
To properly secure a canvas painting within a back-loading frame, you will require specific hardware components. These materials are designed to bridge the gap between the canvas stretcher bars and the frame's interior edge, holding the canvas firmly in place.
Based on common framing practices and the provided reference, the essential items needed include:
- Offset Clips: These are small, Z-shaped or offset metal clips. They are sometimes referred to as z-clips or simply offsets. One part of the clip sits on the frame's edge, and the other part sits on the canvas stretcher bar.
- Short Screws: These are used to attach the offset clips to both the frame and the canvas stretcher bar. They must be short enough not to puncture through the front of the frame or the canvas.
- D-Rings: Also known as strap rings, these are metal rings attached to a small plate, typically screwed into the back of the canvas stretcher bars (or sometimes the frame itself). They are essential for attaching picture wire or hanging hardware.
Important Consideration for Offset Clips:
Offset clips come in a variety of sizes. The specific size you need depends on the depth required to effectively secure the frame to the canvas stretcher. This ensures the clip can span the difference in height between the frame's rabbet (the recess the canvas sits in) and the back of the canvas stretcher bar.
The Process
While the exact number and placement may vary based on the frame and canvas size, the general process involves:
- Placing the canvas painting into the back of the frame.
- Positioning offset clips around the perimeter where the canvas stretcher meets the frame.
- Using short screws to fasten the clips securely to both the frame and the canvas stretcher.
- Attaching D-rings to the back of the canvas stretcher (or frame) with short screws, typically one on each side towards the top, to prepare for hanging.
Using this hardware ensures the canvas remains stable within the frame, protecting the artwork and making it ready for display.
