Finishing your paint by number canvas: framing, hanging, and protecting
The best way to finish a paint-by-number canvas is to first carefully color in the last sections, then protect the canvas from direct sunlight, and finally stretch or frame it before hanging. These last steps make the difference between "nice try" and a painting you'll be proud of for years. In this guide, we'll walk you through it step by step – including hanging a Paint by Number set as a diptych. Calm, clean, and without fuss, just like the coloring itself.
In short
- Finishing: color in the last sections evenly, erase light pencil lines, and let the ink dry briefly.
- Protection: hang your canvas out of direct sunlight; for extra certainty, use a matte fixative or UV protective spray.
- Stretching or framing: stretching on a stretcher frame gives a sleek, modern look; a float frame gives a luxurious, finished appearance.
- Hanging: hang at eye level, centered at about 145–150 cm; slightly lower above a couch.
- Diptych: hang the two canvases of a set with an equal spacing of 5–8 cm and the top edges exactly aligned.
How do you neatly finish the last sections?
The canvas is almost full, and it's precisely these last small sections that determine how well-finished the whole thing looks. Take your time. Work from top to bottom and from the side where your pen-hand is NOT, so you never smudge fresh ink.
- Check for white spots. Hold the canvas at an angle under a lamp; you'll immediately see small uncolored edges between the sections.
- Color evenly in one direction. Fill in open spots with the same numbered marker and always move in the same direction — this gives a smoother, even color without streaks.
- Touch up the edges. Color neatly up to the black outline; let the numbers disappear under your color.
- Erase light lines. Still see a thin pencil outline? Wait until the ink is dry and erase very carefully.
- Let dry briefly. Marker ink dries quickly, but give fuller sections a few minutes before moving the canvas.
Are you new and want to calmly go through the entire process from beginning to end? Our beginner's guide walks you through all the steps.
Do you need to fix or protect a paint-by-number canvas?
Fixing is not necessary, but it doesn't hurt. Because you're working with markers — cleanly and without paint or water — your canvas doesn't need drying time and won't warp. However, the same applies to almost any colored print: bright, direct sunlight can fade colors in the long term. With a few simple choices, you can keep your work beautiful for years.
- Choose your spot wisely. The simplest protection is free: don't hang your canvas directly opposite a south-facing window.
- Use fixative spray. A thin layer of matte fixative or UV protective spray from a hobby store creates a protective layer over the ink. Always spray from a distance, in thin layers, in a well-ventilated area, and test on a corner first.
- Hang behind glass. If you frame the canvas with (UV-blocking) glass, it's extra protected from dust, fingerprints, and light.
Want to know why markers are so pleasant to work with and where paint has its advantages? You can read about it in paint by number with markers: why not paint.
Stretching or framing: what do you choose?
For hanging, you generally have two routes. Both look beautiful — it depends on your interior and how much effort you want to put in.
| Method | Appearance | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stretching on a stretcher frame | Sleek, modern, frameless — the canvas itself is the artwork. | If your canvas is not yet on a frame, buy a custom-sized stretcher frame, stretch the canvas taut around the bars, and staple the back. Choose a frame that exactly matches your canvas size (e.g., 40×50 or 50×70 cm). |
| Framing in a float frame | Luxurious and finished; the narrow border around the canvas gives a gallery look. | A float frame (in which the canvas is slightly recessed) looks best with canvas. If you want glass in front, choose anti-reflective or UV-blocking glass. |
| Hanging without a frame | Casual and informal; ideal for quick changes. | A thin, flexible canvas can be hung with a poster clamp or two wooden clamp strips at the top and bottom. Quick, light, and without drilling. |
Always measure your canvas first (standard sizes range from 30×40 to 60×80 cm) and buy your frame or stretcher bars to that size. This prevents crooked edges.
How to hang your canvas straight
Hanging itself is done quickly. This order prevents crooked drill holes and holes in the wrong place:
- Determine the height: the center of your work at approximately 145–150 cm, or slightly lower if it's above a couch or dresser.
- Mark the spot for the hook or screw with a pencil and check with a spirit level (or the spirit level app on your phone).
- Choose a hook that matches the weight: a canvas on a stretcher frame is light, a framed work with glass is heavier.
- Hang it up, step back, and adjust until it's truly straight.
Hanging two canvases as a diptych
The best thing about a Paint by Number set of two canvases is that the two designs share the same color palette. Together they form one calm whole — a diptych — that looks beautiful above the couch, bed, or in the hallway. Think of the two skies of Mediterranean Summer or the mountain peaks of Mountain Landscapes side by side.
Here's how to hang a diptych straight and balanced:
- Choose a fixed spacing. Maintain an equal distance of 5 to 8 cm between the two canvases. Smaller looks like one image, larger provides air.
- Align the tops. For canvases of the same size, align the top edges exactly on one horizontal line — that's the most important rule for a calm result.
- Measure the whole as one block. First calculate the total width (canvas + spacing + canvas) and center that block above your furniture.
- Work with an auxiliary line. Stick a strip of painter's tape on the wall at the desired top line; mark the hooks and then remove the tape.
- Consider the reading direction. Does the set share a continuous landscape or horizon? Lay the canvases on the floor in the correct order before drilling.
Still unsure which theme suits your interior? In our complete collection, you'll find 44 themes, from Japanese Serenity to Wildflower Garden. And if you want something completely personal on your wall? With Your Own Photo – Paint by Number, you can create a canvas from your own photo. Shipping is always free, worldwide, and without a minimum amount.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fix my paint-by-number canvas with a spray?
It is not mandatory. Marker ink dries on its own, and your canvas won't warp. However, a thin layer of matte fixative or UV protective spray from a hobby store does provide an extra protective layer against light and fingerprints. Always spray in thin layers, from a distance, in a ventilated area, and test on a corner first.
How do I prevent the colors on my canvas from fading?
The most important step is free: don't hang your work in direct, bright sunlight, for example, not directly opposite a south-facing window. You get extra protection with a UV protective spray or by framing the canvas behind UV-blocking glass.
Can I hang a paint-by-number canvas without a frame?
Yes. A thin, flexible canvas can be hung with a poster clamp or two wooden clamp strips at the top and bottom. That's quick, light, and you don't need to drill. If you want a sleeker or more luxurious look, choose stretching on a stretcher frame or framing in a float frame.
How do I hang two canvases straight next to each other as a diptych?
Maintain an equal spacing of 5 to 8 cm and ensure that the top edges are precisely on one horizontal line. Measure the total width (canvas + space + canvas) and center that block above your furniture. A strip of painter's tape on the desired top line helps you mark both hooks straight.
Which canvas size fits best above the couch?
Above a couch, larger sizes like 50×70 or 60×80 cm look good, or a set of two smaller canvases together. A handy rule of thumb: let your artwork cover about two-thirds of the width of the couch. If you choose a set, add both canvases plus the spacing together.