After working hard on a painting, be sure to store properly.
Properly store your stretched canvases to avoid damage. There are many ways paintings can be ruined by improper storage. Paintings can stick together, canvas can warp and even rip if a sharp edge is pressed up against the cloth. Keep the canvas away from direct sunlight and extreme hot or cold temperatures.
Prepare Canvas for Storage
There are a couple of precautions that can be taken to protect your stretched canvases before storage. Build a protective frame with strips of 1/4-inch lattice. Cut to fit the canvas adding enough extra for the joints. Sand and seal the wood strips to further protect your artwork or blank canvas. Place along the top, bottom and sides of the canvas. Use a simple butt joint with small nails to secure the pieces. This temporary frame will add an extra buffer when storing.
Another way to protect your stretched canvas is to place the hanging apparatus on the inside of the frame, rather than allowing it to stick out. If you typically use a wire hanger, be sure the eye screws are placed on the inside of the wooden stretcher bars.
Storage Racks
Buy a storage rack from an art supply company. They come in many different sizes and styles. Modular systems can be expanded to include additional shelves, drawers and levels as needed. Look for secure shelves when buying storage racks.
Building your own racks is another possibility. Create a wooden frame a little larger than your biggest canvas. Add a diagonal support across the back to keep the corners secure. Use wood blocks nailed on the interior of the bottom and top to create sections for the art to slide into. If you must put multiple canvases in one space, place them back to back.
Lean Against a Wall
Stacking canvases against a wall is another possible way of storing canvases. Double check for any screws or exposed hanging wire, tuck in or remove before stacking. Use a 2 by 2 lengths of wood to create a raised area to place the canvas. This allows air to circulate under the art work. Place the largest canvas against the wall and then carefully place the canvases facing in the same direction. Alternate between vertical and horizontal placement of the canvas especially if they are all relatively the same size. This prevents stretcher bars from warping.
