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I buy pre-made canvases, and they always come with a little packet of wooden things:

Canvas wooden things

What are they for? How should I use them?

Tom Medley
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1 Answers1

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These are called "canvas keys".

The are shimmed into the corners of the canvas to maintain the tautness of the canvas. This generally happens only on machine-assembled frames, or on mass-produced frames that have low-quality inspection standards (for cost).

inkista
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New Alexandria
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    How exactly do you do that? Which way round do they go into the slots? How hard should you push them in? – Tom Medley Apr 27 '16 at 07:22
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    @TomMedley if you follow the link, you will find how to use them. You push them as hard as it is suitable for you. – niutech May 08 '16 at 17:46
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    @TomMedley I'd actually recommend making that a new question. "How to use canvas keys." It'd get my upvote, and generate some specific answers. –  May 19 '16 at 04:01
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    They are also used on good quality canvas as even the best canvas can stretch over time. – Artemesia Jul 24 '16 at 07:53