How to get wrinkles out of a paint by number canvas?(Safely!)
How to get wrinkles out of a paint by number canvas?(Safely!)
· paintbynumbersart · Fuse Beads Patterns

Congratulations! You’ve received your exciting new paint-by-number kit from PBNSART. You open the box, ready to unleash your inner artist, but then you see it: the canvas has stubborn creases or wrinkles.

Don't panic! This is incredibly common. Because canvases are textile products, they can get squeezed or folded during their long journey to your home. Wrinkled canvas will not ruin your masterpiece, but it is essential to smooth it out before you start applying paint. Painting on a creased surface makes it difficult to get clean lines and can affect the final look.

In this guide, we will teach you the safest and most effective methods to get wrinkles out of your paint-by-number canvas, ensuring a perfect, professional finish.

⚠️ Safety First: Read This Before You Start

Your paint-by-number canvas is not a cotton T-shirt. You must treat it gently. Most canvases come pre-printed with a special coating (called gesso) that makes the paint stick. High heat can burn this coating or even warp the pre-printed numbers and grey lines.

  • NEVER iron on the front (printed) side of the canvas.

  • ALWAYS use the lowest heat setting possible on your iron.

Method 1: The Ironing Method (Most Effective)

Ironing is the fastest and most reliable way to remove deep creases. However, it requires care.

You Will Need:

  • A standard clothing iron

  • A flat, heat-resistant surface (ironing board)

  • A clean, dry towel or cloth (barrier cloth)

  • A misting spray bottle with water (optional, but recommended)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preparation: Place your wrinkled canvas face down on the ironing board. The side with the numbers must be touching the board.

  2. Barrier: Lay your clean, dry towel completely over the back of the canvas. This acts as a crucial heat shield.

  3. Low Heat: Turn your iron to its lowest heat setting (usually the 'Silk' or 'Synthetics' setting). Ensure steam is turned OFF.

  4. Iron Gently: Start ironing over the towel barrier using light pressure and constant, circular motions. Do not hold the iron in one spot for too long, or you risk scorching the canvas material through the towel.

  5. Check Progress: Periodically lift the towel to check the creases. If they are stubborn, you can lightly mist the back of the canvas with a spray bottle before ironing again over the towel.

Visual Guide: Steam Misting

Here is what the misting setup should look like. Notice the gentle plume of steam and small mist droplets on the back surface before ironing over the protective cloth:

 

Caption: A close-up view of a mist iron hovering over the textured back of a pre-printed canvas, preparing to smoothly press out wrinkles.

Method 2: The Stretching Method (Recommended)

If you have some time and want a truly professional result, we always recommend stretching your canvas before you paint. This tightens everything up and gives you a firm, smooth surface to work on.

You Will Need:

  • A flat surface

  • A wooden stretcher bar kit (often available at craft stores) or a pre-made canvas frame (called a simple frame).

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Lay Flat: Spread your canvas face down on a clean table. Let it naturally relax for a few hours or overnight.

  2. Mounting: Assemble your stretcher bar frame, and place it inside the back of the canvas.

  3. Stretch It: Using a staple gun (or just thumb tacks if you’re using a simple frame), carefully wrap one side of the canvas around the frame and secure it.

  4. Opposite Corner: Pull the canvas truly taut with moderate pressure, and secure the opposite corner. This tension is key to removing wrinkles.

  5. Secure Remaining Sides: Fold the other two sides tightly around the frame and secure them.

Visual Guide: Tension is Key

This close-up photograph shows the exact tension you should be aiming for when stretching your canvas onto the final corner of the stretcher bars:

Method 3: Gravity and Weight (Easiest, Takes Time)

If you don’t have an iron or are worried about heat damage, gravity is your friend. This method is slow but gentle.

You Will Need:

  • A clean, flat surface

  • A light-colored or white barrier cloth

  • A heavy stack of books or large flat objects

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Preparation: Layer a clean, light-colored barrier cloth onto your flat table.

  2. Lay Canvas: Place your wrinkled canvas face down onto the cloth (numbers toward the cloth).

  3. Heavily Weight It: Carefully stack your heavy books completely covering the back of the canvas. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly.

  4. Wait: Leave the stack of books in place for a minimum of 24 hours. The weight of the books and gravity will eventually smooth out most minor creases.

How PBNSART Prevents Wrinkles

At PBNSART, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality paint-by-number kits, and that means we want your canvas to arrive in perfect condition. We take every possible measure to minimize folding wrinkles, but please understand that during international shipping, your kit may experience extreme temperatures or be slightly compressed.

To reduce wrinkles, we:

  • Roll our canvases tightly on a special core rather than folding them into squares. This ensures your canvas arrives in smooth condition.

  • Use reinforced packaging to protect your kit from being crushed or bent by other parcels.

We are committed to your artistic journey and hope these methods help you achieve a beautifully smooth starting point for your next masterpiece!

What’s your preferred method for getting wrinkles out of a canvas? Let us know in the comments below!