48x48 Monet Pro Super Frame Kit 1.5" Deep #MSK-4848

Finger Jointed Wood is not meant for Stretcher Bars

Solid wood makes the most dependable Stretcher Bar, because one homogeneous wood member is going to behave similarly across the entire length of the Bar. Whereas, with finger-jointed wood is made-up of multiple pieces of wood, sometimes on the actual joint itself, presenting multiple points of failure which no one can control.

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 add or reduce value to your final painting. The fact is, you don't want problems, and finger joints only increase that risk of the wood falling apart in the future.

The glue used to bind finger joints is a water based adhesive and when that wood is exposed to high humidity environments, particularly with exterior walls, the glue joints can give-up. As a manufacturer, Masterpiece® does its part to conserve as much wood as possible, and still provide a quality product that will out-perform any other in the marketplace.

Monet™ Pro Super Frame Kit Super Frame Kit Components

• Drawing demonstrates how the frame looks unassembled and assembled
• Monet™ Pro Super Frame Kit Super Frame Kits are sold as square frame sizes only
• To assemble a rectangular size, just buy the two Stretcher Bar sizes you want, mix-and-match the components, and you'll have two frames in the size you want, or mix-and-match the components to make other frame sizes you may want
• Four 48" Precision machined medium duty keyable tongue-and-groove Stretcher Bars
• Two Super Cross Braces included: 3-1/4" wide by 3/4" thick
• Cross braces may be removed and reinserted at any time, before and after stretching
• An exclusive slot is milled on the inside perimeter of all of the Stretcher Bars to which the Braces and the expansion wedges attach
• Patented keyable cross braces allow the frame to be tensioned in the middle of the canvas, where the tension needed the most
• Cross Braces firmly attached with a steel tee-nut and screw at the intersection point for maximum support and rigidity
• Included are 8 Corner Keys and 8 Cross Brace Keys to be able to increase the tension in the middle of the canvas, where the tension is needed the most.

Mix and Match components to make any size frame

This Super Frame Kit is sold only in square sizes, as it ships more safely. To make any size rectangle frame, just buy two kits that have the Stretcher Bar sizes you want, mix-and-match the components, and you'll end-up with two frames in the ultimate size you want.

For example, this 48x48 frame kit that you've chosen includes all the Bars, Braces, Keys, and hardware necessary to build one full square frame. Let's assume that you really want to build a 48x108 size, which happens to be a Ã5:1 Dynamic Root-5 Rectangle aspect ratio size.

Simply buy a 108x108 and a 48x48 Frame Kit, and you'll have enough Bars and Braces to make two 48x108 frames. Or mix-and-match the components to make other frame sizes you may want in the future. The size you choose is in your control to build the finest museum class Stretcher Frame on the market.

Canvas Tension is in Your Control

In dry climates or air conditioned environments, the lack of moisture in the air causes wood frames to shrink and the canvas fibers to narrow and elongate making the canvas more slack and resulting in a loss of canvas tension. In some instances, the canvas could have waves on the surface resulting in an unsightly viewing experience.

Our Monet™ Pro professional frames provide the functionality for you to slightly expand the size of the frame in the corners and the middle of the canvas, thereby increasing canvas tension all across the surface. The difference between a loose canvas and a tight canvas is just 1/8" of an inch, so a small adjustment using our corner and brace keys makes an important difference in canvas tension.

• Helps to prevent waves that occur in a loose canvas
• Increase canvas tension by tapping-in the corner and brace keys
• True professional class canvases make it possible for you to adjust the canvas tension

Cross Braces Make it Tighter

A tightly stretched canvas on an un-braced frame overpowers the Stretcher Bars causing them to bow inward and thereby lose tension. Sometimes that bow can expose a space in picture frames.

When a canvas is stretched on a properly supported frame, the cross-braces prevent the Bars from bowing thereby achieving maximum canvas tension. To increase the canvas tension even more, simply tap the corner and brace keys further in their slots. Properly supported frames provide you with the control over the canvas tension of your canvas and painting.

Sustainable Forests Ensure More Wood for Communities

Using lumber from sustainably managed forests is not only the responsible thing to do, it's also a way to ensure that the wood products we rely on continue to be available in the future. By supporting sustainable forestry practices, we can help to ensure a steady supply of wood products while also protecting the environment and supporting local communities.

Canvas Size Needed for this Stretcher Bar

Most artists prefer to stretch and staple the canvas on the back side of the frame. Doing so allows you to paint on the edge and hang your art without needed a picture frame. Generally speaking, you should allow 6 Inches of canvas beyond the size of your frame.

For example, if you were to stretch this frame as a square 48x48 size, your canvas should be about 54 x 54. This allows you ample room to stretch and attach the canvas on the back. Should you want to attach the canvas from the edge of the stretcher frame, then you can reduce the size of your canvas about 3/4" all the way around the frame.

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.

Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly. ♦ Plutarch

The wisdom embedded in Plutarch's writings often transcends the confines of time and culture, providing insights that resonate deeply with various facets of human existence. This particular sentiment captures the essence of a powerful life skill: the art of attentive listening.

In the realm of art, we are continuously presented with diverse opinions, critiques, and interpretations. Not all feedback will be constructive, and not every critic will articulate their thoughts with grace or clarity. Yet, within even the harshest or seemingly misguided critiques, there may be kernels of truth or new perspectives that can inform and enrich our work. Just as a sculptor finds beauty in a rough stone, we, too, can extract value from challenging feedback.

Embracing Plutarch's guidance can serve as a beacon for artists navigating their path. It reminds us of the potential growth that comes from genuine engagement, even in the face of adversity. By fostering an openness to all voices and honing our ability to discern the valuable from the vacuous, we fortify our artistry and cultivate a richer understanding of our craft and ourselves.

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We hope you will be inspired by the wisdom, and our interpretation thereof, of Plutarch, plus we made this unique little portrait to begin the creative process. Time to start your creative process!

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.