How to Hang Your New Canvas Perfectly (And Why You Should NEVER Use Wire!)
- Grahame Case
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Just picked up your framed canvas? Read this before you reach for the string!
If you have just collected a canvas from us here at Have it Framed, you might have noticed we’ve fitted special hangers on the back. These are professional Canvas Wall Hangers (CWH).
Your instinct might be to string a wire or cord between them—but please stop!
Unlike traditional frames, these hangers are specially designed to be used without wire. We know old habits die hard, but here is everything you need to know to hang your artwork safely, securely, and flush against the wall.
🛑 Why No Wire? The Science Bit
It might seem easier to hang a picture from a single point using a wire, but for canvases, this is actually dangerous for the artwork.
Structural Damage: When you pull a wire tight across the back of a canvas frame, it creates inward tension on the side bars. Over time, this constant pulling force drags the vertical stretcher bars towards each other. This can cause the wood to warp or "bow," and can cause your canvas to sag!. As professional framers, we adhere to standards that ensure canvas stretchers remain squared and strong to stand the test of time. Using wire undermines that stability.
The "Lean": Wire naturally causes the top of the picture to lean away from the wall. We want your art to look its best, not like it is falling forward!
The Solution: The CWH hangers we have fitted are designed to hook directly onto the wall fixtures. This distributes the weight evenly and pulls the canvas tight against the wall for that professional, flush "gallery look."
🛠️ How to Hang Your Canvas: A Step-by-Step Guide
We use two types of CWH hangers depending on the size of your canvas. Identify yours below and follow the simple steps.
Option A: The Angled Hangers (Two Hangers)
Usually found on our medium to large canvases. Hanging with two points of contact ensures your picture never hangs crooked—no more nudging it straight every time you walk past!
What you need: Tape measure, Pencil, Spirit level, 2x Wall Hooks or Screws.
Find your spot: Hold the canvas where you want it on the wall and lightly mark the top centre point with your pencil.
Measure the "Drop": On the back of the frame, measure the distance from the very top edge down to the "hooking point" of the metal hanger. Measure this same distance down from your pencil mark on the wall. This is your level line.
Draw the line: Using your spirit level, draw a light horizontal line across the wall at this height.
Measure the Gap: Measure the distance between the centres of the two hangers on the back of the frame. Divide this number by 2.
Mark the Hooks: From your centre point on the wall line, measure that "half-distance" to the left and make a mark. Do the same to the right.
Fix and Hang: Install your wall hooks exactly on these two marks. Your canvas will now slot directly onto them!
Option B: The Top Rail Hanger (Single Hanger)
Usually found on smaller canvases. This hanger is attached to the top horizontal bar. This is even simpler!
Find your spot: Hold the canvas where you want it and mark the top centre point on the wall.
Measure the "Drop": Measure the distance from the top edge of the canvas down to the "teeth" or hooking point of the hanger.
Mark the Hook: Measure that distance down from your wall mark. This is where your hook goes.
Fix and Hang: Install a single sturdy picture hook or screw at this mark. The hanger slots right over it. The jagged "teeth" allow you to slide the canvas slightly left or right to get it perfectly centred.
✨ The "Have it Framed" Difference
You might find that other places use cheap screw-eyes and string for everything.
At Have it Framed, we believe in using the correct hardware for the specific type of art.
We use CWH hangers because they are the industry standard for stability and protection against that distortion. It’s this attention to detail—from the hidden internal structures to the final hanging hardware—that sets custom framing apart.
Need help?
If you are unsure about your wall type or need professional picture hooks, you don't need an appointment! Pop into our Edinburgh workshop, and we can supply you with the professional hardware you need to get the job done right. We have a full range of hooks, pins, and wall plugs available to purchase in-store.
Looking for your next framing project? For full custom framing consultations, please book an appointment online so we can give you our undivided attention.
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