How we pack, ship and protect your art — and how to stretch and mount it once it arrives.
Every painting is carefully rolled (paint side out to prevent cracking) and placed inside a sturdy 2-inch (5 cm) diameter PVC tube. PVC tubes are used because they can withstand the rigours of international shipping — they're waterproof, crush-resistant, and protect the canvas from bending or puncture damage.
Each tube is custom-cut to match the painting inside. The tube length is based on the shortest dimension of the painting plus a small margin, since the canvas is rolled along its longer side. End caps are sealed with tape for extra security, and a layer of tissue paper separates the painted surface from itself inside the roll.
Each order confirmation email includes the exact tube dimensions for your painting. Here is the full reference table:
| Painting | Canvas Size (in) | Tube Length | Tube Diameter | Est. Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigerian Artist | 8 × 6 | 8″ (20 cm) | 2″ | ~0.5 lb |
| Nigerian Artist II | 8 × 6 | 8″ (20 cm) | 2″ | ~0.5 lb |
| Hamid Kadiri II | 10.5 × 8 | 10″ (25 cm) | 2″ | ~0.6 lb |
| Hassan Wakif | 25.5 × 9.5 | 11.5″ (29 cm) | 2″ | ~0.7 lb |
| Hassan Wakif II | 25.5 × 9.5 | 11.5″ (29 cm) | 2″ | ~0.7 lb |
| Hamid Kadiri | 11.8 × 15.8 | 14″ (36 cm) | 2″ | ~0.8 lb |
| Malawi Artist | 13 × 34 | 15″ (38 cm) | 2″ | ~1.0 lb |
| Zinat | 14 × 25 | 16″ (41 cm) | 2″ | ~1.0 lb |
| Kibuuka | 15.25 × 29 | 17″ (43 cm) | 2″ | ~1.1 lb |
| Atarci | 22.5 × 16 | 18″ (46 cm) | 2″ | ~1.1 lb |
| G. Joe | 17 × 19 | 19″ (48 cm) | 2″ | ~1.2 lb |
| G. Joe II | 17 × 19 | 19″ (48 cm) | 2″ | ~1.2 lb |
| East Africa III | 27 × 17 | 19″ (48 cm) | 2″ | ~1.2 lb |
| G. Joe III | 19.5 × 17.5 | 19.5″ (50 cm) | 2″ | ~1.2 lb |
| East Africa I | 29 × 18 | 20″ (51 cm) | 2″ | ~1.3 lb |
| East Africa II | 26 × 19 | 21″ (53 cm) | 2″ | ~1.3 lb |
| C. Mutsiwa | 19.5 × 27 | 21.5″ (55 cm) | 2″ | ~1.4 lb |
| Kibuuka Steven | 21 × 47 | 23″ (58 cm) | 2″ | ~1.5 lb |
| Malawi Artist III | 32 × 22 | 24″ (61 cm) | 2″ | ~1.5 lb |
| Malawi Artist II | 23 × 31 | 25″ (64 cm) | 2″ | ~1.6 lb |
| East Africa IV | 37 × 25 | 27″ (69 cm) | 2″ | ~1.7 lb |
Carefully peel off any tape securing the end caps. Use a blunt tool or your fingers — avoid using a sharp blade near the opening as it could nick the canvas inside.
Gently slide the rolled canvas out of the tube. It may be a snug fit — tilt the tube and let gravity help rather than pulling or tugging on the canvas.
Lay the canvas on a clean, flat surface (a table or clean floor). Unroll it slowly, paint side up. Place soft weights (books, mugs) on the corners to hold it flat.
After being rolled for shipping, the canvas will have a natural curve. This is completely normal and not a defect. Leave the canvas unrolled and flat with gentle weights on the corners for 24–48 hours. The canvas will gradually relax and flatten on its own.
The easiest way to mount your canvas is to take it to a local framing shop. A framer will stretch the canvas onto wooden stretcher bars and can also add a frame if you wish. This typically costs between $20–$60 depending on the painting size and your location, and takes 2–5 days.
Tell your framer the painting dimensions (listed on the product page and in your order confirmation) so they can prepare stretcher bars in advance. This speeds up the process.
Stretching a canvas yourself is straightforward and rewarding. Here's what you'll need and how to do it:
Slot the stretcher bars together at right angles. Use a carpenter's square or measure diagonals to ensure the frame is perfectly square. Tap the corners with a rubber mallet if needed.
Lay the canvas paint-side down on a clean surface. Place the assembled frame on top, centred so there's equal excess canvas on all four sides (at least 1.5 inches per side for wrapping).
Fold the canvas over the centre of one long side and place a single staple. Pull the canvas taut (not overly tight) across to the opposite side and staple the centre there. Repeat for the two short sides. You should now have 4 staples — one centred on each side.
Continue adding staples every 2–3 inches, working from the centre of each side outward toward the corners. Alternate sides (top, bottom, left, right) to keep tension even. Use canvas pliers for a tighter stretch if desired.
At each corner, fold the canvas neatly — like wrapping a gift. Pull one flap over, then fold the other on top. Staple to secure. Trim any excess canvas if needed.
Flip the canvas over and check the surface is taut and even. If there are any loose areas, gently tap in the wooden wedges (keys) that come with most stretcher bars to tighten the stretch. Hang and enjoy!
A gallery wrap means the canvas wraps around the sides of the stretcher bars, giving a clean, modern look with no frame needed. This is the same as the DIY method above — the painted canvas simply continues over the edges of the frame. It's the most popular way to display canvas art in contemporary homes.
If you prefer not to stretch the canvas at all, you can also display it by: