The Ultimate Canadian Guide to Framing and Displaying Your Paint by Numbers Masterpiece

You did it. You spent hours patiently matching numbers to colors, carefully applying brushstrokes, and watching a beautiful image emerge from a blank canvas. You’ve placed the final dot of paint, stepped back, and admired your work.

Now comes the most common question we hear from our community: "I finished my painting... now what?"

Too often, these hard-earned masterpieces end up rolled back up in their tube or tucked away in a drawer. That is a tragedy! A finished paint by numbers project deserves to be displayed proudly on your wall. It’s not just decor; it’s a testament to your patience and creativity.

Your finished art deserves a prime spot on your wall, not a spot in the closet.

But framing a canvas isn't the same as putting a photo into a frame from the dollar store. You have a textured, flexible fabric canvas that needs specific care to look its best.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every viable option for displaying your finished art in Canada, from the most authentic, budget-friendly DIY methods to professional solutions.

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Understanding Your Canvas: The Foundation of Framing

Before you choose a framing method, it’s crucial to understand what you’re working with. High-quality paint by numbers kits, like the ones we ship from Canada, come on rolled linen or cotton canvas.

If you look at your finished piece, you will notice two distinct areas:

• The Image Area: The actual painted part of the canvas (e.g., the standard 40cm x 50cm).
• The Bleed (or White Border): The extra, unpainted white fabric surrounding the image.

Crucial Tip: Do not cut off this white border! It is essential for the best framing method, as it is designed to be wrapped around a wooden frame to create a professional, finished edge.

Option 1: The Best & Most Authentic Solution – DIY Stretcher Bars

Introducing the DIY Wooden Frame Kit

We know that building a frame from scratch using lumber from Home Depot sounds intimidating. That's why the easiest solution is a specialized DIY Wooden Frame Kit designed specifically for standard paint by numbers sizes.

These kits do not require saws, power tools, or advanced carpentry skills. They are designed to snap together easily, allowing you to stretch your own canvas at home in under 30 minutes.

DIY kits make it easy to achieve a professional gallery wrap at home without power tools.

How to Stretch Your Canvas (A Quick Overview)

While full instructions come with our kits, here is the basic process to show you how achievable it is:

1. Assemble the Frame: The pre-cut wooden bars slot together tightly to form a perfect rectangle.
2. Position the Canvas: Lay your canvas face down on a clean, flat surface. Center the assembled wooden frame face down on top of the back of the canvas.
3. Wrap and Secure: Starting in the middle of one long side, fold the white border tightly over the wood and secure it with a staple gun (recommended) or thumb tacks. Pull the canvas very tight across to the opposite side and secure it. Repeat for the shorter sides.
4. The Corners: Fold the corners neatly, similar to wrapping a present hospital-corner style—to get a crisp, professional edge.

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Option 2: Traditional Picture Frames (The "Glass Hack")

If you prefer the aesthetic of an ornate outer frame, or if your home decor demands a specific style (like sleek black metal or vintage gold), a traditional picture frame is a viable option. You can find standard-sized 16"x20" frames at many Canadian retailers like Michaels, IKEA, or Walmart.

The Problem with Glass

While glass protects art from dust, it is generally detrimental to the look of acrylic paintings. Acrylic paint has a beautiful, subtle sheen and texture. Placing glass in front of it flattens that visual texture and creates reflections that make the image hard to see from certain angles.

Notice how the glass on the left creates distracting reflections, while the glare-free version on the right lets the paint texture shine.

The Traditional Frame "Hack"

If you choose this route, we highly recommend removing the glass completely.

1. Buy a frame that fits your painted image size exactly (ignoring the white border).
2. Disassemble the frame and carefully discard or store the glass.
3. Because a canvas is flexible, you will likely need to mount it onto a stiff backing board (like foam core) using spray adhesive so it stays flat inside the frame.
4. Place the mounted canvas into the empty frame and secure it from the back.

This gives you the decorative border of a traditional frame while letting the painted texture shine through without glare.

Option 3: Magnetic Poster Hangers (The Minimalist Choice)

For a trendy, minimalist, and budget-friendly look, you can use wooden magnetic poster hangers.

These consist of four strips of wood with strong embedded magnets. You sandwich the top edge of your canvas between two strips and the bottom edge between the other two. The top strip usually has a string for hanging.

• Pros: Very inexpensive, installs in seconds, no damage to the canvas, modern Scandinavian aesthetic.
• Cons: The canvas hangs loose like a scroll, so it won't be perfectly taut or flat. It has a more casual look that may not suit formal spaces.

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Pro-Tip: Should You Varnish Your Painting?

Before you do any final framing, you should seriously consider applying a varnish.

A clear acrylic varnish acts as a protective topcoat. It seals the paint, protects it from dust, moisture, and UV fading, and enhances the vibrancy of the colors. If you plan to display your painting using Option 1 (Stretcher Bars) or Option 2 without glass, a coat of varnish is highly recommended for long-term protection.

You can choose between Gloss (for a shiny, "wet" look that makes colors pop), Matte (for a non-reflective, natural finish), or Satin (a happy medium).

Final Thoughts: Honour Your Hard Work

You’ve created something beautiful through hours of focus. By taking the final step to frame and display your paint by numbers art properly, you are elevating it from a fun project to a piece of meaningful home decor that you can be proud of for years to come.