Cost Comparison

You may be familiar with commercial stretchers.  The often look like this:

stretchers

stretchers individually

Here we have done a cost comparison for you.

All prices are based on a 24″x36″ stretcher.
Remember, unless you buy the stretcher in a store, you’ll probably have to pay shipping

Utrecht.com

Utrecht Master’s 100% Pure Belgian Stretched Linen Canvas, Triple Primed, 24×36, 1-3/8 in Profile
This pure 100% Belgian Linen is triple acrylic-primed providing museum, archival quality for both the oil and acrylic painter. The superior craftsmanship of its heavy-duty frame and versatile medium-texture surface makes it well suited for fine or broad brushwork.
Built to last for generations; Master’s Linen is an excellent choice for gallery level work.

Surface: Medium Texture
Stretcher Profile: 1-3/8″
Finished Canvas Weight: 12oz.

$63.99 for ONE

$191.97 for CARTON OF THREE

DickBlick.com

Blick Premier Stretched Canvas is a heavyweight, high quality canvas for the discerning professional. Its kiln dried, solid pine frame provides the perfect setting for the heavy-duty 10 oz 100% cotton canvas that is double coated with acid-free titanium gesso to reach a finished weight of approximately 15 oz. This canvas is ideal for heavier paint applications. Premier canvas is hand-splined with tailored corners for a tight even stretch. Premier Museum Profile canvases are designed for maximum archival stability and durability:

  • Weight: 10 oz pre-primed, approximately 15 oz post-primed
  • 2-3/8″ solid pine stretcher bars
  • 100% cotton canvas
  • Primed with acid-free titanium gesso
  • Medium texture
  • Gallery stretched and hand splined
  • Larger sizes are braced for superior support

Oversize canvas larger than 30″ × 40″ does not qualify for our free shipping offer. For actual shipping charges call 800-447-8192.

$61.29 for ONE

$188.76 for CARTON OF SIX

1x10x8′ Clear Pine Board from Lowes

$9.68 for ONE BOARD
You can get four 2″ strips of wood from this board.  That’s enough to make one 24″x36″ stretcher and one smaller stretcher (including bracing).  Your only addition cost would be canvas or linen (or plywood if you’re working on panel).  The savings is HUGE!

IMPORTANT NOTE: When you buy/find a piece of wood, look for a piece that is NOT warped – it lies flat without any curves, avoid wood that is clearly from the center of a tree, and look for wood that has as few knots as possible.
Center of tree knotty pine warping
The above image shows various ways wood can warp.  The next image shows a board with knots. The third image shows wood from the center of a tree (you can tell by looking at the end of the board – if the rings are near the center of the tree, avoid the board).
It is worth an extra couple bucks to get a really nice piece of clear pine or poplar to make your stretcher.
If you build a stretcher out of cheap warped wood, your canvas will warp.
Also, if you have knots in the wood, your stretcher can break wherever there is a knot.
Also, if you have bad wood, the monitor can refuse to cut it because it can be dangerous.