What is the difference between framing and stretching?
Stretching is when you literally stretch a canvas and staple it to a wooden support. That support is hidden and can only be seen from the back side. A frame, on the other hand, is meant to be seen. Ornate or minimalist, large or small, it adds to the look of the finished painting. But you don’t have to frame it! You can wrap the painting around the sides of the support during stretching and staple it on the back. This is called a “gallery wrap” finish. It is a sleek, contemporary look, and it makes a frame unnecessary. However, you can always add a frame to your painting, too.
