How to Assemble a Wooden Tray Frame for a Canvas

Adding a tray frame to a stretched canvas with L Style mouldings is an easy way to increase profitability. Frame a stretched canvas with a stylish L-Style moulding to create a Tray Frame.

  • Stage 1 Cutting the Frame

    1) Start by measuring the width and height of your stretched canvas.

    2) Set your Morso guillotine to the height and width of the canvas, add a few millimeters for a gap around the canvas. Be sure to set the moulding rebate too.

    3) Mitre the moulding lengths to size, taking small bites at a time for a clean cut.

  • Underpinning frame moulding

    Stage 2 Joining the Frame

    1) Use a touch up pen on the inside of the moulding cut to help the joint blend in with the moulding.

    2) Apply a very small amount of frame joining adhesive to one end of each chopped moulding lengths. Be careful not to apply too much otherwise the adhesive may be visible after the frame is joined.

    3) Using an underpinner hold a length and width of the moulding firmly together and join. Ensure the correct V Nail / Wedge is used for the height of the moulding. If the V Nail is too long it will protrude out of the top of the moulding.

    4) Continue to join all four corners of the frame moulding to make a tight, rigid frame.

  • Canvas offsets for framed canvases

    Stage 3 Attaching Canvas to the Frame

    1) Use foamboard spacers to align the canvas and make sure it is centred in the frame.

    2) Use foam board spacers between the canvas and frame to align and give an even spacing.

    3) Flip the canvas over and use canvas offsets to fix the canvas to the frame, fix all four sides with screws. The amount of canvas offsets needed will differ depending on the frame size.

  • Picture Frame Hangers for Canvas

    Stage 4 Picture Hangers & Bumpers

    1) Take two CWH Square Sawtooth Hangers and fix to the back of the frame roughly a third of the way from the top and level so the picture hangs straight.

    2) Stick two bumpers to the bottom corners of the frame. The bumpers help the canvas to hang flat and also allow a space from the wall to help prevent dust build up.

    3) Remove foam board spaces from the gap between canvas and frame. Now the framed canvas is heady to hang!