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Z-clips hold a stretched canvas in a picture frame when the canvas is deeper than the frame's rebate. This guide and video show how to fit them safely.
Key point: It is normal for the stretcher bars to be deeper than the frame's rebate. Z-clips are made to bridge that gap and hold the canvas in place.
Preparation
Check the fit
The canvas should drop into the back of the frame with a little movement. If the fit is too tight, the canvas can go baggy over time as the wood expands and contracts.
Tools needed
- Small hammer
- Flat-head screwdriver (the same width as a Z-clip)
- Pliers
Tip: Work on a blanket or soft cloth to protect the edges of the frame.
Step-by-step fitting guide
- Position the Z-clips. Use roughly one Z-clip every 30cm (12 inches) around the frame. Make a small starter hole with the screwdriver at each position, taking care not to damage the inner lip of the frame.
- Insert the Z-clips. Tap each Z-clip into the frame with the hammer until it is fully seated. Ask someone to hold the frame steady while you hammer.
- Fit the canvas. Bend all the Z-clips outwards, lower the canvas gently into the frame, then bend the clips over the stretcher bars. Tap them gently into the wood to hold the canvas.
Important: When you tap the clips, support the lip of the frame (just below the stretcher bar) with your hand, a cushion or a block of wood. This stops the frame cracking under the impact.
Final checks and tips
- Check that every Z-clip is properly seated
- Leave a little movement so the wood can expand and contract
- For very large canvases, use extra Z-clips