After painting: finishing and displaying

Varnish is not essential, but we recommend it for protecting a finished paint by numbers picture. A clear acrylic varnish shields the pigments from dust, moisture and UV light, which helps prevent fading over time. It also evens out reflections and restores the richness of the colours, giving a more even, professional finish. You can choose gloss, satin or matt depending on your preference.

Wait until the paint is completely dry before varnishing — at least 24 hours, and longer if any areas were painted thickly. Then follow these steps:

1. Wipe the canvas gently with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dust.
2. Choose a clear acrylic varnish, either spray or brush-on, and work in a well-ventilated space.
3. Apply a thin, even coat, following the product instructions. Avoid over-brushing, which can disturb the paint.
4. Leave it to dry fully before adding a second coat if needed.

Our kits use acrylic paint on pre-printed numbered linen canvas, so an acrylic varnish is the right match. If you chose the option with a wooden stretcher frame, varnish once the canvas is mounted and the paint is dry. If you have the rolled canvas option, you may prefer to varnish before framing. Either way, varnishing is a simple step that helps keep your finished picture looking its best for years.

Choose an acrylic varnish made specifically for acrylic paintings, either water-based in a jar or in a spray can. Avoid varnishes intended for wood or furniture, as these can yellow over time and may not be compatible with acrylic paint.

Varnish is worth applying to a finished paint by numbers piece. It seals the acrylic paint, protects the surface from damp and dust, and brings out the coloured pigments. A matt or gloss finish is a matter of personal preference; both do the same protective job.

1. Make sure the canvas is completely dry before you begin.
2. Apply the varnish in thin coats rather than one thick layer.
3. Brush or spray in one direction only, and let each coat dry before adding the next.

If you are framing your painting, varnish it first and allow it to dry fully. Take your time with it, work in a dust-free space, and the finish will protect your work for years.

Choose satin if you want a middle ground between the liveliness of gloss and the calm of matt. Gloss varnish brings the colours back to life but creates reflections, which can be distracting on a canvas hung where light falls across it. Matt removes reflections and gives a softer, more even look, though it can slightly mute the depth of the colours. Satin sits between the two and is often chosen for a paint by numbers hung in a bright room, where you want some richness without a hard shine.

Think about where the finished piece will go. In a bright room with windows opposite the canvas, matt or satin will be easier on the eye. In a dimmer hallway or a room where the painting is lit from the side, gloss can lift the colours nicely. If you are unsure, satin is the safest all-round choice.

Whichever you pick, apply thin coats with a soft brush, working in one direction and letting each coat dry fully before the next.

Frame a canvas after checking if it is stretched on a wooden frame or still rolled. A stretched canvas can hang as it is, or you can place it in a frame suited to the stretcher frame’s depth. A floating frame leaves the painted edges visible.

1. Stretch a rolled canvas on a wooden frame, or mount it on rigid card before framing.
2. Measure the outside edges of the wooden frame, rather than the painted area.
3. Choose a frame that matches the canvas depth.
4. Fit the canvas according to the frame instructions, keeping it square and secure.
5. Use a suitable wall fixing for the finished weight.

Our framed option includes a wooden frame that you can assemble before hanging or framing.

Choose a frame based on the exact size of the canvas (40x50 cm, 30x40 cm and so on) and on whether it is stretched or not. For a canvas on a wooden frame, pick a frame that is deep enough. A simple frame in light wood or black keeps the colours of the painting in the foreground.

To stretch a canvas onto a wooden frame, lay the canvas painted side down on a clean table, place the frame on the back, fold the edges over and fix them starting from the middle of each side, alternating opposite sides, then finish with the corners. Our canvases keep 3 to 4 cm of white margin for this.

1. Place the canvas face down on a clean, flat surface.
2. Centre the wooden frame on the back of the canvas.
3. Fold one edge over the frame and fix it at the middle of that side.
4. Repeat on the opposite side, pulling gently to keep the tension even.
5. Work through the remaining two sides in the same alternating way.
6. Finish by folding and fixing the corners neatly.

You do not strictly need a wooden frame to mount a canvas, but it does make stretching easier and keeps the canvas taut while you paint. It also lets you show the finished picture like a real decorative piece at home. Suitable frame kits are also available among our paint by numbers accessories.