Name: How to Make a Reverse Canvas: Easy & Inexpensive Framed Art!
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How to Make a Reverse Canvas: Easy & Inexpensive Framed Art!

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Skip to ContentThis post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Please review my Privacy Policy &amp; Terms for more information.Learn how to make a reverse canvas sign with this simple tutorial! This fun method is a great way to easily create inexpensive framed art in no time.Just deconstruct a basic wrapped canvas and reuse its own frame. So easy!&nbsp;I first saw this method for making signs a few months ago via tutorials from Weekend Craft and A Girl and A Glue Gun. After seeing them, I definitely had a “Now why didn’t I think of that before??” moment.Seriously. This method is SO straight-forward, painfully, obviously GENIUS that I can’t believe it’s just now a thing.This is a game changer for all of us who love making our own DIY signs.&nbsp;&nbsp;When making a reverse canvas, you’re turning a basic wrapped canvas that you can find on the cheap at any craft store into a framed canvas sign or art piece.Instead of having the canvas wrap around the front of the frame, you’re moving it to the back and showcasing the frame too rather than having it hidden behind the canvas.You’re reversing the placement of the canvas. Get it??All you have to do is:Remove the canvas from the framePaint/stain the frameAdd design element(s) to the canvasReattach the canvas to the back of the frameSO SIMPLE!&nbsp;Here are the supplies used to make a reverse canvas:&nbsp;The first step in this process is removing the wrapped canvas from its frame.Just place the wrapped canvas on a table facedown, then grab a utility knife or X-Acto knife and start slicing through the canvas along the OUTSIDE of the staples.&nbsp;Here’s what you’ll end up with: the canvas sheet and the bare frame.The remaining strips of canvas that are still stapled to the back of the frame can easily be pulled out and discarded, but don’t worry about removing the staples.Since you’ll be reattaching the canvas in a bit, they’ll end up being covered.Also, at this point, you can trim the canvas to size if you’d like, or do it later once you’re ready to reattach it.I did this part later after applying my design so I was certain my design would be centered.&nbsp;Now you can move on to the frame. I had NO idea such a cute little thing was hiding in plain sight all this time!The wood is bare, so you can stain it or paint it any color under the sun.FYI: Since these canvases are inexpensive and their frames are hidden, the wood is not exactly…shall we say…top quality.However, it’s still good enough to make a fun little project. Don’t worry if you need to do a little sanding first to smooth everything out.&nbsp;While the canvas is off of the frame, you can go ahead and apply your design element(s). Or this step can also be done AFTER your canvas has been reattached…whatever you prefer.For this particular project, I applied a heat transfer vinyl (HTV) decal, so I wanted to add it to the canvas before reattaching it to the frame.That way I had free range of movement for my iron without the frame getting in the way. (If you’d like to see how to use HTV, check out one of these tutorials!)***NOTE: Make sure you size your design so it fits INSIDE the frame. My wrapped canvas started as a 9×12, but the dimensions for inside the frame are 7×10.&nbsp;Here’s how my components looked at this point:&nbsp;Once the frame is dry, you can reattach the canvas to the back.I first centered my design in the middle, then used some thumb tacks to temporarily hold it in place.I also trimmed off the edges of the canvas so nothing would be visible outside of the frame (and as you can see, I struggle with cutting a straight line).&nbsp;As soon as my hot glue gun was warmed up, I permanently attached the canvas along all four edges and removed the thumb tacks. A staple gun would work fine too.Depending on your project, you might be finished now! Hooray!I, however, had one more step to do.&nbsp;Here’s how it looks: not too pretty, but hey, that’s why it’s the back!If you’re feeling extra frisky or giving your creation away as a gift (or selling it), you could always cover the entire backside with a piece of felt or fabric. That way, both sides of the sign are equally presentable.Since this sign is going to have a home on a shelf in my craft room, I left this as is. No shame in my game!&nbsp;With this particular flower truck sign, I had some 3D paper flowers to apply.Therefore, this step needed to be done AFTER the canvas was reattached to the frame so the flowers wouldn’t get crushed. I also added a small pink vinyl decal too.Depending on your project, you may or may not need to add any additional elements here (or maybe even your only design component) and can of course skip this part if needed.And with this step now completed…we’re finished! Woot Woot!&nbsp;Here’s how my first reverse canvas sign turned out! Super cute, no??This flower truck beauty is just the brightest, most cheerful sign and it looks absolutely adorable in my craft room.If you’d like to see the full tutorial with all the juicy details on this Spring flower truck sign, check this out!I had SO much fun with this project and I can’t believe how easy this whole reverse canvas method is. Much easier than any wood sign I’ve made.I’ll definitely be making a bunch more of these in the future!&nbsp;Quite the transformation, huh?&nbsp;Don’t miss these other reverse canvas sign ideas!&nbsp;Using a utility or X-Acto knife, remove the wrapped canvas from the back of the frame.Prep the frame with sandpaper (if necessary) and paint or stain. Let dry.Apply the design elements to the canvas sheet.Trim the canvas sheet and reattach it to the back of the frame using either a hot glue gun or staple gun.Optional step: Attach any additional design elements.As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.Please leave a comment below or share on Pinterest!&nbsp;Make sure you check out my Project Gallery for lots of other fun crafty creations, tips, and freebies!&nbsp;Thanks so much for stopping by!Click here to cancel reply.I love this idea &amp; thanks so much for sharing… I cannot wait to try this. Who would if thought to reverse the canvasYay, Debbie! I'm so happy you've found this helpful! Happy crafting!! :)I LOVE this idea! I bought some canvases from the Dollar Tree and have had a blank with what to do with them. Thanks to you, now I know. I am not sure if it will have the same beautiful design as the back part of your canvas but I shall soon find out. Thank you and keep up the beautiful work.Awww, Susan, thank you so much for such a sweet comment! I'm so happy to hear you found all of this info helpful! Have fun creating! :)This is great! I was looking for an inexpensive way to frame some artwork and I found your blog! Awesome, I’m super excited to try it out! I’ll be sure to share with others! Thanks!Great tutorial! What do you suggest using for hanging one of these on the wall?Thanks, Nicole! These are so lightweight, I think using some Command Strips would work great!Hello,Thank you very much for this clear and concise tutorial.I’d read the term “reverse canvas art” mentioned in a few reviews on Amazon, where I have been buying canvases for acrylic painting and I was unfamiliar with it. After Googling the definition, I came across your bright and colorful website.This tutorial is particularly timely in its helpfulness to me because I’m about to start doing some paintings to decorate my hallways and, unlike my previous works, I prefer these to have a framed look. So, I was kicking the dust in annoyance at having to go through the trouble of having a bunch of pictures framed. But, now, I can just flip the canvas and do it myself! I, and my apartment hallways, thank you deeply.Oh Kimberly, your comment gave me the biggest smile! That is so great to hear! :) Have fun decorating your hallways!!Skip to Instructions

Skip to ContentThis post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Please review my Privacy Policy &amp; Terms for more information.Learn how to make a reverse canvas sign with this simple tutorial! This fun method is a great way to easily create inexpensive framed art in no time.Just deconstruct a basic wrapped canvas and reuse its own frame. So easy!&nbsp;I first saw this method for making signs a few months ago via tutorials from Weekend Craft and A Girl and A Glue Gun. After seeing them, I definitely had a “Now why didn’t I think of that before??” moment.Seriously. This method...

How to Make a Reverse Canvas: Easy & Inexpensive Framed Art!

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