How to Hang a Canvas on a Wall — 3 Easy Methods for Hanging Canvas Art

woman hanging up pictures

laura gardiner - tribeca printworks studio manager02/01/2023
by Laura Gardiner
Studio Manager, Tribeca Printworks

Do you have a canvas print you don’t know how to hang? Whether you’re uncertain about the best hanging method for your canvas type or don’t know what kind of tools you’ll need, this post covers three easy ways to hang canvas art anywhere, regardless of your skill with a screwdriver. We provide a list of essential tools and tips for hanging canvas prints like an expert.

Essential Tools for Hanging Canvas Art on Walls

Before you begin hanging your canvas prints, you’ll need to gather a few tools and supplies. The tools you’ll need largely depend on how you choose to hang your canvas print. When hanging canvases, you might need the following:

  • A pencil.
  • Painter’s tape.
  • A screwdriver.
  • A tape measure.
  • Nails.
  • A hammer.
  • Eye hooks or D-rings.
  • Wire.
  • Rubbing alcohol.
  • Picture-hanging strips.
  • Double-sided tape.
  • A spirit level or marble.

How to Hang Canvas Prints With Nails

Nails are the most common way to hang canvas prints. To hang your canvas with nails, choose the nail size that suits your canvas. Smaller canvases require smaller nails, while bigger canvases — like 20-inch by 30-inch types — need larger ones. The bigger the canvas, the more nails you’ll need. To hang your canvas with nails, take the following steps:

  • Mark where you want to hang the canvas with a pencil or painter’s tape.
  • Hammer your nail into the wall, leaving it one-third of the way out.
  • Place the canvas’s stretcher onto the nail, adjusting it so the canvas is level.

How to Hang a Canvas With Wire

Larger canvases might require more than a few nails to keep them steady and level. In those circumstances, you could hang your bigger canvases with wire. You’ll need two eye hooks or D-rings, a wire, a hammer and some nails to do this. Once you’ve gathered your tools and supplies, complete these steps:

  • Hold your print to the wall, marking a line for the nail’s placement.
  • Mark two lines about one-third of the way down on either side of the canvas’s back.
  • Screw the D-rings or eye hooks onto the back of the canvas.
  • String the wire through the eye hooks or D-rings, leaving room for give.
  • Hammer a nail into the wall.
  • Place the wire onto the nail.

How to Hang Canvas Art Without Nails

You might prefer to avoid damaging your walls when hanging canvas prints, especially if you rent your space. Otherwise, if your walls are not made from drywall — such as concrete or brick walls — you might need to explore alternative ways of hanging your art or photography prints.

Either way, you can hang your canvas art prints using picture-hanging strips or double-sided tape. These hanging methods do not damage wall paint or plaster or leave behind residue. Large picture-hanging strips can even support prints weighing up to 16 pounds.

Hanging Canvases With Picture-Hanging Strips

To hang your canvas print using picture-hanging strips, follow these steps:

  • Hold the canvas up to the wall and mark the corners.
  • Remove the picture-hanging strip liners and place the strips onto the back corners of the canvas.
  • Remove the other side of the strip liners.
  • Press the canvas firmly onto the wall.

Hanging Canvases With Double-Sided Tape

To hang your canvas prints with double-sided tape, you’ll follow a similar process to hanging a canvas with picture-hanging strips. Take these steps:

  • Hold the canvas to the wall and mark the corners with a pencil.
  • Stick the double-sided tape onto all four corners of the back of your canvas.
  • Press the canvas firmly to the wall.

Tips for Hanging Your Canvas Prints Like a Pro

Once your canvas is on display, you’ll want to level it. Whether you hang your picture with nails, wire, picture-hanging strips or double-sided tape, you can level it by placing a marble or spirit level on top of the canvas. The spirit level’s air bubble should be centered, and the marble should not roll if your canvas print is level.

Here are some other tips for hanging your canvas prints like a pro:

  • Prep the wall with rubbing alcohol or a damp cloth before hanging your canvas.
  • Hang your prints at about eye level or approximately 56-60 inches from the floor.
  • Stick wall pads onto the back of your canvas to protect your wall from damage.

Contact Tribeca Printworks Today to Learn More

Whether you’re a professional artist, photographer or hobbyist, the quality of your prints is important. You can design one-of-a-kind, museum-quality canvas prints online with the Tribeca Printworks Online Print Studio. Upload your images to our Online Print Studio, select your canvas and choose a frame. It’s that simple! Our Master Craftsmen hand-cut all our frames in our woodshop and framing production space in SoHo.

Contact us online today to learn more about our custom canvas printing and framing solutions.