Blank canvas with a frame: What to look for before buying

Looking for a blank canvas with a frame? There are a few things worth considering before you buy, especially if you want to create artwork that looks just as good in your home as it does while you're making it.

Not all framed blank canvases are the same. Some arrive already stretched and ready to paint, some come without an outer frame and others let you build and stretch the canvas yourself. Then there's the canvas material, the frame finish, the size and whether you want to paint it at all.

Here's what to look for when choosing a framed blank canvas, so you end up with something that works for your art, your home and the way you want to create.

 

1. Understand what you're actually buying

When shopping for a blank canvas with a frame, the first thing to check is what the product includes.

A canvas can have an inner wooden frame, an outer decorative frame, or both. They serve different purposes and understanding the difference makes choosing much easier.

The inner frame

The inner frame, also known as a stretcher frame, is the structure that holds the canvas fabric taut. It's what gives the canvas its shape and creates the surface you'll paint on.

The outer frame

An outer frame is the visible finishing frame around the artwork. It adds definition, brings another material into the piece and helps connect the finished canvas to the rest of your interior.

A canvas can be stretched over an inner frame without having an outer frame at all. If you're looking for a blank canvas with a wooden frame because you want a more considered, finished look, check whether the product includes both. At Plan, you get an inner and outer frame in every kit.

 

2. Ready-stretched canvas or a DIY canvas frame kit?

This is another important distinction when shopping for a framed blank canvas.

A ready-stretched canvas arrives with the fabric already attached to its inner frame. You can start painting straight away, although you may still need to source an outer frame separately if you want one.

A DIY canvas frame kit gives you the materials to assemble and stretch the canvas yourself.

If you simply need a painting surface as quickly as possible, a ready-stretched canvas may be what you're looking for. If you enjoy hands-on projects, want to understand how your canvas is made or like the idea of building the entire piece yourself, a DIY kit offers a different experience.

At Plan, we've made that process part of the project. Our Blank Canvas Kits include the raw canvas, handcrafted inner and outer wooden frames, and the tools you need to build and stretch your own framed canvas at home.

You build the inner frame, stretch the fabric and attach the edge frame when your artwork is ready.No need to source all the individual components or work out which materials fit together.

 

3. Choose the right canvas material: cotton or linen?

Once you've decided on the type of framed canvas you want, the next thing to consider is the fabric.

Cotton and linen are two common canvas materials, and the difference isn't only how they feel to paint on. They also create very different starting points visually.

Cotton canvas

Cotton canvas generally has a more even weave and a softer, more uniform appearance.

Our raw cotton canvas has a natural off-white tone that makes it a versatile base for different colours, painting techniques and interior styles. It's a good choice if you want a cleaner-looking surface or prefer the canvas itself to feel relatively understated.

Linen canvas

Linen has a more visibly textured weave and a naturally warmer, deeper tone.

Our raw linen canvas has character before any paint touches it. The colour and texture can become part of the artwork itself, whether you leave sections exposed, paint over the entire surface or choose to display the canvas blank.

If you're drawn to natural materials, dark oak finishes and interiors with plenty of texture, linen is worth considering.

Neither material is automatically the right choice for everyone. Think about the surface you want to work with and how you want the finished artwork to look. For a more detailed comparison, read our cotton vs linen canvas guide.

 

4. Check whether the canvas is primed or raw

One detail that's easy to overlook when buying a blank canvas for painting is whether the fabric has been primed.

• A primed canvas has been prepared with a coating, commonly gesso, which changes how paint interacts with the surface
• A raw canvas has not been primed, leaving the natural fabric visible

This affects both the look of the canvas and the way it behaves when you paint.

If you want a conventional prepared painting surface, look for a primed canvas or plan to prime it yourself. If you love the natural character of cotton or linen and want the fabric to remain part of your artwork, raw canvas offers a different starting point.

Plan's Blank Canvas Kits use raw cotton or raw linen, allowing you to decide how you want to work with the material. When you're painting directly onto the raw fabric, it's worth understanding how different paints behave on an unprimed surface. We've covered that in our guide to painting on raw canvas.

 

5. Don't overlook the wooden frame

The frame can make a surprisingly big difference to the finished artwork.

If you're buying a blank canvas with a wooden frame, think beyond whether the frame is included. Consider how its colour, finish and shape will work with the artwork and the room where you'll display it.

• A natural oak finish can bring warmth and a softer contrast to a piece
• A dark oak finish creates a more defined edge and can work particularly well with expressive or high-contrast artwork

You can also think about the frame as part of the creative process rather than something you add without much consideration at the end.

For example, we've experimented with painting our edge frames and then creating artwork that works with that colour. It's a simple way to make the entire piece feel more intentional. You can read more about it here.

Our edge frames are handcrafted locally in Edinburgh and are available in Oak and Dark Oak. You choose the finish when ordering your kit, so the frame is already part of the plan before you begin.

 

6. Choose a canvas size that works for your space

Before buying a framed blank canvas, think about where you want the finished piece to go.

It's easy to focus on the artwork itself and forget about the space around it. A smaller canvas can work beautifully on a shelf, as part of a collection or on a narrower section of wall. A larger canvas gives you more room to experiment and creates a stronger individual presence.

Plan's framed canvas kits are available in two sizes:

30 × 40 cm
A versatile size for smaller spaces, shelves, gallery arrangements and creating pairs of artworks.

50 × 70 cm
A larger surface for more expressive work or a standalone piece with greater visual presence.

Neither size needs to dictate how ambitious your artwork can be. A small piece can be bold, while a larger canvas can be incredibly minimal. The important thing is choosing a size that works with the space and the kind of artwork you want to make. If you're unsure, our wall art size guide goes into more detail.

 

7. Check what's included before you buy

A framed blank canvas might sound like a straightforward purchase, but the contents can vary considerably.

Before ordering, check whether you're getting:

• Canvas fabric or an already-stretched canvas
• An inner frame
• An outer decorative frame
• The tools needed for assembly and stretching
• Instructions or tutorials
• Painting supplies, if you need them

This is particularly important if you're buying a DIY canvas kit. You don't want to get everything out on the table only to realise you need to order several more things before you can start. At Plan, that won't be a problem.

 

So now you might be wondering,
what is included in a Plan Blank Canvas Kit?

Our kits are designed for people who already have their own paints and painting tools but want a complete setup for building and stretching a framed canvas.

Each single Blank Canvas Kit includes the inner frame, edge frame, raw cotton or linen canvas, practice pieces, staple gun and staples, a protective sheet and access to our Digital Art Guide.

The guide includes video tutorials to take you through the process, along with painting inspiration and guides for when you're ready to create.

You choose your canvas material, size and frame finish. We take care of bringing the materials together.

Painting supplies are not included in our Blank Canvas Kits, but if you want the canvas, frames, paints and painting tools together, explore our Full Art Kits instead.

 

8. Think about the finished piece, not just the blank canvas

One of the most useful things you can do before buying a canvas is picture where it will end up.

What colours are already in the room? Do you want the artwork to contrast with them or feel more connected to the space? Would a natural linen surface work better than off-white cotton? Would oak or dark oak make more sense alongside your furniture and other materials? And do you want one artwork, or two that work together?

You don't need to have the entire painting planned before you buy. But thinking about the finished piece can help you choose the right canvas, frame and size from the start.

It also means you can create something specifically for your home rather than trying to find a ready-made artwork that's almost right.

 

So, which framed blank canvas should you buy?

Start with the basics: how you want to create, what material you prefer and how you want the finished artwork to look.

If you want to build your own canvas, work with raw cotton or linen and finish the piece with a handcrafted wooden edge frame, that's exactly what we created Plan's Blank Canvas Kits for.

Everything is brought together in one box, so you can focus on making something that's yours from the very beginning.

Explore our Blank Canvas Kits, choose your canvas, size and frame finish, and let the magic begin.

 

Emmi
Co-founder of Plan