Jackson’s Museum Alu-Pro 45mm Aluminum Stretcher Bars are a premium alternative to traditional solid wood frames, offering maximum stability and superior resistance to warping. Ideal for large or custom canvases.
Lightweight and easy to transport, they are well-suited to damp studio environments where wood may warp. The combination of aluminum and spruce provides strength and durability, while the wooden components are sustainably sourced from 100% PEFC-certified forestry.
These Jackson’s Museum Alu-Pro Aluminum Stretcher Bars are 45mm deep and 65mm wide. The wooden outer frame presents a smooth surface to the canvas and can accept staples, pins, and nails. The aluminum frame is used to bolt the whole apparatus together and maintain its rigidity even as the canvas tightens and relaxes in changing moisture conditions.
They are quick and easy to assemble using a 4mm allen key, with crossbars that can be added later for extra support. Please note, you will need an Alu-Pro Corner Connector for joining horizontal and vertical stretcher bars at a 90° angle, as well as a 4mm allen key, preferably an Alu-Pro Allen Key. You will need four Corner Connectors for each canvas frame.
Crossbars provide extra strength to Alu-Pro frames and can also serve as a convenient handle for carrying the canvas. Jackson’s Alu-Pro Primary Crossbars (18mm deep) are compatible with all Alu-Pro Aluminum Stretcher Bars. A Primary Crossbar is recommended for canvases over 120cm on the longest side. For canvases over 240cm, a Secondary Crossbar is also required. When using a single Primary Crossbar, it should brace between the longer sides of the frame, so be sure to select a crossbar that matches the length of the shorter sides.
Alu-Pro Extenders can be used to connect two stretcher bars. This will allow you to stretch and support very large canvases. They look like a section of a stretcher bar, but have two connecting strips – small lengths of metal which sit inside the groove on the inner side of the aluminum frame. They are available in different profiles, so please remember to select the correct depth that corresponds to the depth of your stretcher bars.
For more information about Alu-Pro products and a series of assembly tutorials, see the Alu-Pro tutorial on the Jackson's Blog.
For step-by-step guidance on how to stretch canvas, watch A Guide to Stretching Canvas on the Jackson's Blog.
