The right way to store artworks on canvas

Paintings on canvas are long-lasting artefacts that can last for centuries, provided they are well crafted, protected from water and fire and handled and stored properly over time.

We will show you tips and tricks on varnishing, stretching canvas, aligning canvas, invoicing, pricing your works, and building your own shadow gap frames at low cost.

Next date: Thursday,

November 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: 250 € (including VAT)
Where?
Little Van Gogh,
Berck-sur-Mer-Str. 20,
53604 Bad Honnef,
Germany

If you have any questions, please send an email to info@littlevangogh.de.

1. always place pictures upright

Always stand the pictures upright and do not lay them flat on the floor.

2. fingers away from the painting surface

A canvas should always be handled at the side edges with at least 2 hands, depending on the size and weight, more hands may be necessary. The painting surfaces themselves should not be touched, not even with gloves. You should also not reach between the wooden slats of the stretcher frame and the canvas from behind. This can easily cause pressure marks, dents and even tears in the canvas.

3. always apply both corners

When leaning against a screen, it should be positioned as vertically as possible, with the centre of gravity slightly to the safe side. Both corners should always be parallel. This avoids one-sided loads that can distort the painting.

4. always pay particular attention to the corners during transport and storage

The four corners of the canvas are neuralgic points that are particularly exposed to wear and tear and can be both a cause and a point of attack for damage if handled incorrectly. When leaning/stacking canvases, the respective corners should never rest inside another canvas surface, but should always protrude beyond its edges so that stretcher frame rests against stretcher frame.

5. painting surface against painting surface, reverse side against reverse side

To be on the safe side during transport and storage, a large-format cardboard should be inserted between the painting surface as protection.

6. always arrange the format offset

If possible, always transport or store them up...across...up etc. in a staggered manner. This also protects the corners of the canvas.