Article Summary
Should you put your finished Paint by Numbers behind glass? Most professional artists say no. This article uses visual comparisons to explain why putting glass over acrylic paint causes glare, kills the texture, and ruins the viewing experience. We explore why the "Gallery Wrap" method using stretcher bars is the superior, authentic choice for displaying your masterpiece.
You’ve spent dozens of hours meticulously painting. You’ve reached that satisfying moment where the canvas is complete. Now, your instinct might be to rush out to a big-box store, buy a standard picture frame with a glass front, and pop your canvas inside to "protect" it.
We are here to tell you: Pause that thought.
While putting art behind glass is standard for photographs or prints, it is generally considered a mistake for acrylic paintings on canvas. In our recent Ultimate Canadian Guide to Framing, we touched on the different methods of display. Today, we’re diving deep into exactly why the "Gallery Wrap" (using wooden stretcher bars) vastly outperforms traditional glass frames.
A gallery-wrapped canvas allows the art to be viewed naturally, without barriers.
The Problem with Glass Frames
If you walk into a high-end contemporary art gallery, you will rarely see canvas paintings behind glass. There are very practical reasons for this that apply directly to your finished paint by numbers project.
1. The "Glare Monster"
This is the biggest offender. Standard glass is highly reflective. As soon as you place it over your dark acrylic paints, the glass turns into a mirror. Instead of seeing your beautiful brushwork, you (and your guests) will see reflections of windows, lamps, and yourselves.
You have to stand at exactly the right angle just to see the image clearly. Why hide your hard work behind a reflective barrier?
2. Killing the Texture
One of the joys of acrylic painting is the texture. The paint has body. You can see the individual brushstrokes and the slight peaks and valleys of the color. This three-dimensional quality brings the art to life.
When you press a glass sheet against the front of the canvas, you visually flatten that texture. The painting loses its depth and starts to look more like a flat printed poster than a hand-painted work of art.
The difference is clear: glass (left) creates distracting reflections, while the open canvas (right) lets the colors and texture shine.
3. The Moisture Trap (A Canadian Reality)
In Canada, we deal with humid summers and cold winters. If you frame your canvas behind glass without a proper "spacer" to keep the glass lifted off the paint surface, you risk trapping moisture. Over time, temperature changes can cause condensation inside the glass, which can stick to the acrylic paint or cause mold growth, ruining your artwork.
The Solution: The Gallery Wrap
So, if glass is out, what is the alternative? The professional standard is the Gallery Wrap.
This is where the canvas is stretched tightly around a hidden wooden frame structure, called stretcher bars, and stapled to the back. The image wraps around the sides of the bars, giving it a clean, modern, and dimensional look that pops off the wall.
We've summarized the key differences in the infographic below. Feel free to save this or share it with fellow painters!
A visual summary of why professional artists prefer the gallery wrap method over glass.
How to Achieve the Look Easily
Many people avoid stretcher bars because they think it requires power tools or complex carpentry. That used to be true, but not anymore.
At Paint on Numbers Canada, we offer specialized DIY Wooden Frame Kits (stretcher bars) that are designed specifically for our canvas sizes. They snap together in minutes without tools, allowing you to easily stretch your own canvas at home and achieve that professional gallery look.
Our DIY stretcher bars are designed to make gallery-wrapping your canvas easy at home.
If you are worried about protecting the paint without glass, the professional solution is to apply a varnish once the painting is fully cured, which seals the paint surface against dust and UV rays without adding glare. (See our guide on how to varnish here).
Stop Hiding Your Masterpiece Behind Glass
Give your artwork the professional display it deserves. Get the authentic, glare-free gallery look with our easy-to-use DIY Stretcher Bar kits.
Shop DIY Frame Kits Now