18x81 3D Professional 2.5" Deep K2 Stretcher Frame Kit

True Palindromic Proportion - 18x81 Size

This interesting palindromic 18x81 size is not based on any specific proportion, but this one is based on the 81:18 ratio.

The Palindromic Series of canvas sizes challenges artists to explore the potential of symmetrical shapes in their work. This series is characterized by sizes that read the same forwards and backwards, such as 12x21 and 34x43. Unlike other canvas sizes, there is no actual proportion that defines these shapes, thereby creating a sense of wonder and a challenge for artists to push the boundaries of their compositions. In fact, the very symmetry of the palindromic shape can add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to the composition, prompting viewers to question the artist's intentions and the underlying meaning of the piece.

While the use of palindromic shapes in art is not new, it continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration for many contemporary artists. These shapes can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the artist's style and vision. Some artists use palindromic shapes as a focal point, while others incorporate them into the background or use them as a pattern on the canvas. The use of palindromes can also serve as a nod to linguistic and literary elements, as they are often used in wordplay and puzzles. This reference can add a layer of meaning to the artwork, making it more engaging for viewers who appreciate the subtleties of language and symbolism.

Explore other sizes in this same 9:2 aspect ratio:

13x31 • 14x41 • 15x51 • 16x61 • 17x71 • 19x25 • 19x91 • 23x32 • 24x42 • 25x52 • 26x62 • 27x72 • 28x82 • 29x92 • 34x43 • 35x53 • 36x63 • 37x73 • 38x83 • 39x93 • 46x64 • 47x74 • 48x84 • 49x94 • 56x65 • 57x75 • 58x85 • 59x95 • 67x76 • 68x86 • 69x96 • 78x87 • 79x97 • 89x98

• Super strong 3D™ Pro K2™ Stretcher Bar is a very popular among contemporary artists whose painting will be displayed without a frame.
• For this 18x81 large size frame, the frame provides the ultimate foundation for your art with increased strength and stability
• Provides a 2.5" deep stretched canvas which makes a bold and commanding display
• 1-1/4" wide Stretcher Bars
• All Bars have an exclusive groove on the inside perimeter of the frame to which cross braces and Diamond Corner Braces attach
• Solid Ponderosa Pine or Fir from the Pacific Northwest

3D™ Pro 2.5 Stretcher Bar • 1/2" Canvas Clearance

1/2" Canvas Clearance is the space between the Bar and the canvas. Generally speaking, more clearance reduces the risk of the canvas touching the wood and creating unsightly lines during painting. Our design provides the optimal clearance so as not to impact your painting, but still leaving enough wood to the maximize strength of the Stretcher Bar.

• Produces a 2.5" deep stretched canvas (Actual depth is slightly thinner)
• 1.25" wide Stretcher Bar
• All Bars have an exclusive groove on the inside perimeter of the frame to which cross braces and Diamond Corner Braces attach
• Solid Ponderosa Pine or Fir from the Pacific Northwest

Solid Wood is Archival - Finger Jointed Wood is Not

We only use Solid Wood to build our Stretcher Bars because a solid piece of wood will last indefinitely. When we speak of archival value, it's not just the paint you use and the quality of your canvas and ground, even the wood choices manufacturers make are part of the archival process.

The principal reason manufactures use finger jointed wood is reduce cost, not increase archival value. Wood constantly grows and shrinks when the environment becomes hotter, or colder, or more humid, or more dry. Because finger jointed wood is made-up of multiple and varied pieces of wood, with varying grain patterns and densities, they each absorb and shed moisture at varying rates, which works on the glue joints that hold them together, causing the wood to bow and the joints to eventually fail, and certainly not consistent with increasing the archival value of your artwork frame support.

As a manufacturer, we do our part to conserve as much wood as possible, and still provide a quality made product that will out-perform any other in the marketplace.

Sustainably Managed Forests Inhale and Exhale

The world's forests are essential to human survival. Forests inhale carbon dioxide for the earth, and exhale oxygen essential for life. When we speak of the sustainable forest strategy of ensuring that more timber will exist in the same forest land than exists today, this is the only viable plan for the future of humanity. For this reason, we use only lumber from the sustainable forests of Oregon, Washington, and California, where thereÕs more standing timber today than last century!

Specially Dried and Heat Treated Lumber

We source our wood from a select group of top-tier environmentally conscious lumber mills in the Pacific Northwest. These mills specially dry and heat-treat the lumber to our specifications, resulting in about half the moisture content compared to wood from typical home improvement centers or lumber yards. This process makes the wood stronger, reducing the likelihood of cracking, splitting, or warping. While the wood we use comes at a higher cost, it ensures a more dimensionally stable end product. This stability is crucial for crafting fine professional canvases that support your invaluable art over time.

26x89 is the Canvas Size Needed for this 18x81 Frame

Please note that you will need a canvas that is at least 8 Inches larger than the actual frame size to ensure proper stretching. This will provide ample material to stretch the canvas and attach it to the back of the frame. If you prefer to attach the canvas from the edge of the stretcher frame, you can reduce the size of your canvas by approximately 3/4" all the way around the frame. This will allow you to paint on the edge of the canvas and hang your artwork without needing a separate picture frame. And, if you ever need to remove the canvas from the frame and re-attach it, you'll have enough material to do that too.

Tight'n'Up™ Liquid Canvas Retensioner

One of our most appreciated products helps make your canvas tighter! Stretching a canvas tightly can be a challenge. Our Frame Kits include the Corner and Brace Keys that you will need to add tension, but Tight'n'Up™ Liquid Canvas Re-Tensioner is a way that you can use to add tension to the canvas without needed to use the keys. It canvas be sprayed on the back of a canvas to repair most canvas tension issues.

With Tight'n'Up™, you can add tension to just a small area, or a large area. Simply spray it lightly on the back and brush it into the canvas, and within seconds, your canvas becomes tighter and stays tighter. The more you use, the tighter it gets. Recommended for acrylic primed cotton or linen canvas. We do not recommend it for oil primed canvas because there are simply too many different types of oil primed canvas, but used conservatively at your own risk, it will tension any canvas.

With deep family ties and a legacy spanning since 1965 in California, Masterpiece® has been the epitome of unmatched quality in Stretcher Bars across North America. Our commitment to pioneering excellence has crowned us as the forerunners in the world of professional fine-art canvases. Bolstered by our patented innovations, our products exude a caliber that's in a league of its own. One touch, and the unparalleled quality becomes palpable, leaving an indelible impression on your clients and all future admirers of your art.