How to Adhere Paper to Canvas

Co-authored by Kathy Leader

Last Updated: September 2, 2024 Approved

Most people will paint pictures and illustrations on canvas, but did you know that you can adhere paper to it as well? You can't just use any ordinary type of glue, however, otherwise the paper may not adhere properly. With the right technique, however, you can turn a plain canvas into a unique collage or as a base for a picture or photo.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Prepping the Canvas and Paper

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There are two main types of canvas: the thin type and the thick type. The thin canvases are a simple, light-weight board, ideal for framing. The thicker canvases are a sheet of canvas stretched over a wooden frame. They are ideal if you want to extend your design over the edges.
If you are going to glue a picture or photo onto the canvas, choose something that is the same size as your image—or a little bit smaller. It is easier to trim an image down to fit a canvas than the other way around. If you are going to create a collage, however, you can choose any size of canvas you want.

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Paint your canvas a background color, if desired. This is only necessary if you will be creating a collage on it. If you are going to adhere an image onto a thick, wood-frame canvas, you do not need to paint the front, but you should paint the edges.^{[1]
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Research source} Acrylic paint will work the best for this, because it dries the fastest. Avoid using oil paint or watercolor paint; oil paint will take too long to cure and watercolor paint won't stick.
- Choose a color that contrasts your images for a collage.
- Choose a color that matches or complements a single image that will cover the entire canvas.
4
Allow the paint to dry, then apply a coat of sealant over it. Sealers come in many different finishes, so you should pick one that you like the best.
- If you did not paint the canvas, you can skip this step.
5
Trim the paper down, if needed. Use a paper slicer or a craft blade and a metal ruler to do this. Make sure that the edges are nice and neat. If you are going to cover the entire canvas with your image, you will need to trim the image down to fit the canvas. If you are making a collage, trim down the images to different sizes; this will make things look more interesting than if they were all one size.
- Trace the canvas onto the back of your image, then use a sharp blade and a metal ruler to cut the paper.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adhering the Paper

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Expert Source

Kathy Leader
Artist

Expert Interview. 13 February 2022.} A decoupage glue, such as Mod Podge, is the cheapest, most readily-available option. Keep in mind that most decoupage glues are not waterproof, and they may get tacky if wet. Alternatively, you can use an acrylic paint medium instead. Unlike most decoupage glues, acrylic medium is waterproof and resistant to yellowing or discoloring.^{[3]
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Apply a thin coat of your chosen medium to the front of the canvas. You can use a wide, flat paintbrush or a foam brush to do this. Avoid putting on too much medium, however, or the paper will soak it up and wrinkle.^{[4]
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- If you are building a collage, consider applying the glue to the back of your image instead; work one image at a time.
If you are covering the entire canvas, match up the bottom edge of the paper with the bottom edge of the canvas, then carefully lay it down. Carefully adjust the paper until you are happy with the placement.
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Expert Source

Kathy Leader
Artist

Expert Interview. 13 February 2022.} You can do this with your hands or with a special roller, which you can find alongside the other decoupaging supplies in an arts and crafts store. Smooth the paper out starting from the middle of the canvas, and work your way towards the outside edges.
All that smoothing out likely resulted in some of your medium leaking out from under the paper. You can wipe it away with your paintbrush. This will have the added benefit of sealing the edge of the paper against the canvas.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finishing the Piece

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1
Apply a thin, even coat of your medium over the image. Brush the medium onto the image, starting from the center and working your way outwards. Be sure to extend the medium past the edges of the image to seal it in. If you are using a thick, wood-frame canvas, be sure to coat the sides as well.
- Use long, even strokes to give your image a nice, canvas-y texture.^{[6]
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Depending on the type of medium you are using, you will need to wait 15 to 20 minutes. This is very important; if you apply the next layer too soon, you may get wrinkles or air bubbles. The layers also may not cure properly.^{[7]
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You can make photos and collages look more interesting by layering smaller images and cutouts on top. Apply your medium to the back of the image, then press it against the canvas. Brush more medium over the image, and let it dry fully before moving on.
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Apply a final top coat. Most decoupage glues and acrylic mediums can double-up as a sealer. They typically come in glossy, satin, and matte finishes. You can use the one you used earlier to adhere the paper, or you can pick a different one if you want a different finish. If you used a thick, wood-frame canvas, you will need to seal the side edges as well.
- You can apply more than one layer of top coat, but you will need to let the previous layer dry first.
5
Allow the medium to dry and cure before displaying the piece. Just because something feels dry does not necessarily mean that it is fully dry and ready to use. Check the label on your bottle of medium, and look to see if there is a curing time; most mediums require at least a day or two to cure. Once the medium has cured, you can frame or hang the canvas as desired.
- If the medium feels tacky or sticky, it has not cured; you should wait a few more days.

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How do you stick paper to stretched canvas?

Kathy Leader
Artist
Kathy Leader is an Artist based in Santa Barbara, California. She is the Owner of The Art Process, an innovative in-person and virtual art studio. With more than 36 years of art education experience, she specializes in providing mixed media art workshops for individuals and groups. In addition, she works with businesses and organizations to build morale, encourage creative problem-solving, and find de-stressing tools. Her sessions stress mental wellness through art making. Kathy holds a BFA in Art Education from The University of Cape Town.

Kathy Leader

Artist

Expert Answer

If the canvas is stretched, put a hard item such as a book underneath to stop the flex of the canvas.

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What is the best acrylic medium to lay paper on canvas?

Jeanie Cameron Vargo

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I've used ModPodge, but nearly any wet medium will have a few wrinkles in it unless you're extremely meticulous in laying the paper down. You could prepare the canvas first with gesso, and that might make it more smooth.

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I have an article with black (jet ink) letters. How do I protect the printed words from smearing?

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Leave it alone to dry for 1 - 2 days. After that time, don't touch the canvas right away; use another object to lightly touch it to see whether it's dry.

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Tips

Rinse the brush out while you are waiting for the medium to dry, otherwise you will ruin the brush.

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Stir a few drops of paint into the medium to give your image a tinted look.

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Apply two layers of top coat with the brush strokes going in opposite directions. This will give you a grid-like texture, similar to that of canvas.

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