A Step-by-Step Guide to Flattening Paint by Number Canvas

Have you ever tried to flatten a "Paint by Number" canvas, but found it difficult? Don't worry - with this tutorial, you'll discover an easy way to quickly and safely flatten your paint by number canvas with just a few simple steps.

Cover the canvas with a damp cloth and wait 15 minutes.

Start by laying a damp towel or cloth over the canvas. Let it sit for 15 minutes, as the moisture from the cloth will help to break down any dried paint and make it much easier to flatten. Make sure that your cloth is damp, not soaking wet, for best results!

Place the canvas between two heavy and flat objects such as books or boards. 

This will help to pressure any warped areas back into their original shape, flattening out your canvas. Make sure the boards or books don't have harsh corners or edges, as they could cause damage to the painting. If you do not have heavy and flat objects available, use something else of equal weight but with a flat and smooth surface, such as a cutting board. Finally, allow the canvas to sit in this new position for a few hours before taking it out and moving onto the next step!

Let the canvas sit overnight to let it flatten out completely

After you’ve put the canvas in the correct position for a few hours, it’s best to let it sit even longer so that it can completely flatten out. The ideal approach is to leave the canvas overnight, as this will settle any remaining warped areas and help create an even surface. Be sure not to leave it in this position too long as the pressure could damage your painting if left unattended for more than a day or two.

Brush down any raised or lumpy areas with a soft paintbrush. 

Gently brush down any areas of the canvas that have raised or lumpy spots. Put your hand on the back of the canvas and use a soft paintbrush to rub it out. Do not apply too much pressure as you could damage your painting. Also, be sure that the bristles on your brush don’t snag on anything when brushing down any raised spots. With a softer brush, it is less likely that this will happen.

Use an iron on low heat to carefully press any stubborn spots on the canvas if needed.

You may find that some spots won’t flatten with just a paintbrush. In this case, you can use an iron on low heat to flatten the canvas. Make sure the iron is set to a low setting and doesn't come in contact with any of the painted areas! Put the canvas on an ironing board and place a piece of fabric or thick paper between the canvas and the heated side of the iron. Gently roll over any raised parts of your painting for about 15 seconds at a time, but pay attention not to let too much heat build up, as it could affect paint already applied to your canvas.

Here is a video explanation to have a better perspective on how to iron your canvas: 

And that's it! With these simple steps, you should be able to easily flatten your paint by numbers canvas and get back to creating your masterpiece. Found here our New Arrivals Collection!

Happy crafting!