Stretcher Bar Width - 7/8" or 1.5"?

[Light Seeker]

I have been planning on using 1.5" stretcher bars for all my canvas prints. However, would that be considered too wide for a print on the smaller end, say a 14 x 20?

What stretcher bar widths are you using, for big or small prints?

Thanks.

Terry.

[dgberg]

Terry,
We stopped offering 7/8" deep stretchers as the look of the deeper bars were preferred by our customers. The 1 1/2" and 2" are perfect for just about any size wrap.
We use both sizes regardless of the gallery wrap size.  If I were to pick a size where we start using more of the 2" bars it would be at around 20 x 30".  
I would skip 7/8" entirely.

[Wayne Fox]

Terry,
We stopped offering 7/8" deep stretchers as the look of the deeper bars were preferred by our customers. The 1 1/2" and 2" are perfect for just about any size wrap.
We use both sizes regardless of the gallery wrap size.  If I were to pick a size where we start using more of the 2" bars it would be at around 20 x 30".  
I would skip 7/8" entirely.

I was about to concur, until I read the OP again and realized he doesn't mentioned "wraps", only stretches.  If a piece is to be framed after stretching, then 1.5 to 2" bars may indeed be too deep and cause the frame to float out from the wall in a manner that isn't appealing.  In this case we normally recommend 3/4 inch bars, and on small prints such as 8x10 I think we even use 1/2" bars.  And we don't bother "wrapping" them, just conventional stretch with edge stapling.

If indeed the OP is only considering gallery wraps then I concur Dan ... don't bother with the 7/8.  You may want to go to 1.25 for small prints such as 8x10/11x14. (in fact on these small wraps we have decided just to use the system made by IGWrap, and sold through Breathing Color, Liberty Photo, and Hahnemühle ... it's a little more but it's so fast and easy for the little stuff.)

[davidh202]

I heartily concur with Waynes concurrance 

[Light Seeker]

I was about to concur, until I read the OP again and realized he doesn't mentioned "wraps", only stretches.

Sorry. I'm planning to do gallery wraps.

You may want to go to 1.25 for small prints such as 8x10/11x14. (in fact on these small wraps we have decided just to use the system made by IGWrap, and sold through Breathing Color, Liberty Photo, and Hahnemühle ... it's a little more but it's so fast and easy for the little stuff.)

I'm in Saskatchewan, Canada. So far I've only found 7/8" and 1.5" stretcher bars that are reasonably priced. 7/8" locally at Gales and 1.5" from Curry's. I may have to look around for some 1.25" bars to try if I decide to do smaller sizes.

Thanks all.

Terry.

[dgberg]

As Wayne suggests you may want to try the Hahnemuhle or Breathing Color system. Give Breathing Color a call, they will ship direct to Canada. I do not sell the new stretchers they offer but do demonstrate the product in our workshops. (BC is one of our workshop sponsors.)
An excellent product ,simple to assemble and no need for the tooling that is required to assemble standard stretcher bars.

[Light Seeker]

Thanks Dan. I can get a similar product in Canada, and I've thought about picking a set up to try.

Terry.

[Light Seeker]

I'm curious. With 1.5" stretcher bars, at what size should I add braces?

Terry.

[dgberg]

24" X 36" is the smallest size I use cross braces on.  You may get a half dozen different answers on that one.

[Light Seeker]

Curry's had suggested 20 x 30 as the first size to start thinking about adding braces. I took this mean it's a "nice to have" at this size, which aligns with what you've suggested.

Terry.