How to Mount Canvas or Linen to Wood Panels (and Why It Matters)

Mounting canvas or linen to wood panels is one of the best ways to create a stable, archival surface for your artwork. I use this method regularly on panels we produce, and I recommend it to artists who want long-term protection, precision, and the peace of mind that their paintings will last for generations.

Unlike stretched canvas, which can sag or bounce under the brush, a mounted surface gives you control and consistency. And unlike painting directly on wood, a mounted canvas can be removed and re-mounted if something ever goes wrong with the panel itself.

Why Mount Canvas or Linen Instead of Painting on Stretched Canvas or Wood?

1. Better Brush Control

Wood panels provide a solid surface with no bounce, sagging, or shifting like with stretched canvas, so your brushstrokes stay crisp and precise.

2. Archival Protection

Mounted canvas doesn’t flex with humidity or vibrations, and it’s protected from environmental changes. That means fewer risks of weakened canvas due to humidity, heat and other factors that can compromise the back of the canvas.

3. Long-Term Flexibility

Here’s the biggest advantage: if the panel ever fails (warps, delaminates, or cracks), a mounted canvas or linen can be safely removed and re-mounted onto a new panel. Paint directly on wood, and that option is gone—if the wood fails, the artwork is usually lost.

Avoid Wet Glues

Traditional wet adhesives (like PVA or white glue) are a common choice, but they come with some serious downsides:

• They introduce moisture into the canvas and panel,

• This causes warping of both the canvas and the panel, and shrinking of the fabric.

• Drying time is long, and there’s risk of bubbles or tension problems and wrinkling of the fabric on the edges.

  
  

What I Recommend Instead

To eliminate moisture problems and make mounting more predictable and reliable, I recommend:

1. Spray Adhesives

• Choose a high-quality spray glue. There are archival options and others more readily available like Gorilla Glue spray adhesive that isn't labeled archival but is permanent, non-yellowing and photo safe.

• Apply evenly across the panel surface and fabric.

• For a flat panel where the edges are not going to be wrapped. Carefully lay down your canvas or linen onto the panel and flatten it with your hands then a rubber roller. Make sure you cut the fabric a little big to ensure the whole panel is covered. A tip is to lay the panel on the canvas and draw a pencil line where the panel is going to sit before applying the glue. This way, after the glue is applied you can get the panel into the right place the first time.

• If you are going to wrap the edges, what I do is again draw a pencil outline of where the panel goes on the fabric first so I know where to position the panel after the glue is applied. Lay the fabric on the table to position the panel on it, then flip it. Use your hands then a roller to methodically flatten and bond the painting surface. I usually let this dry for a while then do 45 degree cuts into the corners. I use an iron and parchment paper to run over the edges for a sharp clean edges. Then glue and later trim.

• Another tip is using a clothes iron to flatten the canvas or linen, or reactivate the glue if it is not bonded well in one or more locations.

  
  

2. Heat-Activated Adhesive Films

• These can be ironed on with a heated press or a dry iron.

• No moisture = no warping.

• Archival and consistent.

  
  

Both options allow for clean, even adhesion with minimal mess—and most importantly, without warping your panel or canvas.

Tips for Best Results

• Make sure your panel is completely sealed before mounting to avoid moisture absorption.

• Trim canvas edges after mounting with a razor blade, once it’s fully adhered.

• Use a rubber roller to press the fabric down evenly.

  
  
  
  
  
  

Mounting canvas or linen to a panel isn’t just about how it feels to paint on—it’s about ensuring your art has a strong, flexible future. If anything ever happens to the panel, your work can live on.

Looking for panels made specifically for canvas or linen mounting?Explore Sierra Art Panels here »