Quick answer: Artistry Rack canvases are printed with an extra 4cm border precisely so they can be framed. Let the paint dry fully, decide between flat-mounting in a standard frame (easiest — our solid wooden frame fits the standard canvas in 16x20) or stretcher bars for a gallery look, then hang it out of direct sunlight.
"How do I frame this?" is the question every finished canvas asks. Here's the complete answer — from drying to hanging — using what actually comes in the box and what the canvas itself is designed for.
Step 0 — Let it dry properly
Acrylics feel dry to the touch within minutes, but give a finished canvas a few days — up to a week — before pressing it under glass or a mat. Paint that hasn't fully cured can stick to whatever touches it. Store it flat, out of the sun, while it waits.
Know your canvas: the 4cm border is your friend
Standard Artistry Rack kits paint up at 40cm x 50cm — roughly 16x20 inches — and the design is printed with an extra 4cm of blank canvas on every side. That border exists for exactly one reason: framing. It gives you material to grip, wrap or trim without touching the artwork itself. (Kits with size options, like Blossoming Hues in 12x16 or 16x20, list their sizes on the product page — check yours before buying a frame.)
Option 1 — Flat-mount in a standard frame (easiest, most popular)
- Get a frame matching your canvas size. Our solid wooden picture frame comes in 16x20 for the standard canvas — plus 8x10, 8.5x11, 11x14, 12x16 and 12x18 — in black, brown, beige or white, from $9.99.
- Keep the mat between paint and glass. The frame's white mat isn't just for looks: paint should never sit pressed directly against glass. The mat creates that small air gap while giving the piece a clean gallery border.
- Center, secure the border behind the backing, close it up. The 4cm margin tucks neatly behind the mat — no cutting required unless you want to trim excess.
Option 2 — Stretcher bars (the "real canvas" look)
Craft stores sell wooden stretcher bar sets: you wrap the canvas around the frame and staple the 4cm border to the back, giving you a frameless, gallery-wrapped painting. It looks fantastic, but it needs a staple gun, even tension and a bit of patience — save it for your second or third canvas, or for a piece you're especially proud of. Wrinkles from shipping usually pull flat during stretching.
Option 3 — No frame at all
Washi tape, canvas clips or a simple clipboard hanger all work for a casual craft-room look — and nothing stops you re-framing later. If the canvas has soft creases from storage, lay it under a stack of heavy books for a day or two before hanging.
Where (and where not) to hang it
- Avoid direct sunlight. Acrylics hold color well, but constant direct sun fades any artwork over time.
- Avoid steamy rooms. Bathrooms and stove-adjacent walls are hard on unprotected canvas.
- Match the design to the room. Golden pieces like the Klimt-inspired Ethereal Woodland glow beautifully in lamplit living rooms and bedrooms; bright florals suit hallways and kitchens.
Optional: sealing before framing
If you want extra protection — especially for an unframed or high-traffic display — a light coat of clear acrylic sealer from any craft store (matte, satin or gloss) protects against dust and moisture. It's optional, and only after the paint has fully cured. Test your finish preference on a corner of the border first; our pro-finish guide covers sealing in more detail.
FAQ
What size frame do I need for a standard canvas?
Standard Artistry Rack canvases are 40cm x 50cm — roughly 16x20 inches — with an extra 4cm border for framing. A 16x20 frame is the match; always check your specific kit's product page if it offers multiple sizes.
Can the painting touch the glass in a frame?
Best not to. Use a frame with a mat so the paint surface isn't pressed against the glass — the mat creates a protective gap and looks better too.
Do kits come with a frame or stand?
Standard kits include the canvas, paints, three brushes and instructions — no stand or frame. Some kits, like Blossoming Hues, note frame options on their product page, and our solid wooden frame is sold separately in six sizes and four finishes.
Finished piece still on the easel? Browse the wooden frame, and if you're between projects, see what everyone's painting right now.