Are you having trouble stretching your paper?

[Susan Harrison-Tustain]

Hi Everyone

If you are having trouble stretching your paper - check these scenarios out. They could be the problem:

There are five scenarios that would cause the tape to lift from the paper/board:
1 - The tape is  too old. (not in your case as you have just purchased the tape)
2- Poor quality tape
3- Ensure your gator board is laying flat when the paper is drying - otherwise it will cause uneven tension which will cause the tape to lift.
4- There were air bubbles under the tape itself. The huge tension that is created when the paper is drying will then become uneven because the tape has not adhered in that area.
5- We need to ensure that all the gum on the tape is activated. Dry spots on the tape will stop the tape from adhering in that area. When you submerge your tape in water prior to placing it on the paper and board - ensure the entire tape is submerged.
6- You may be using a board that does not have a suitable surface. Gator Foam Board (3/4 inch deep ) is ideal.


Hope that helps
Susan

[DogLoudge]

You are most welcome. I love your scripts. They save me hours of time

And thank you for the tutorial link

[Johnnie]

Just a tip about paper stretching.

I have used gator board before finding out about Susan's method and stretching paper.

I had tried the brown paper glued tape and had a hell of a time getting it to work but gave up.

I had found some info on another site about stapling the paper on the gator board.. Tried that and it works very well. Staples stay in the gator board.. Sure it makes little holes all over but that is but a minor thing. After time, a long time I might add like in years, you might have to get another piece of gator board but its not that expensive.

Just another angle for those having trouble with the glued tape .

Johnnie

[marylka]

Just a tip about paper stretching.

I have used gator board before finding out about Susan's method and stretching paper.

I had tried the brown paper glued tape and had a hell of a time getting it to work but gave up.

I had found some info on another site about stapling the paper on the gator board.. Tried that and it works very well. Staples stay in the gator board.. Sure it makes little holes all over but that is but a minor thing. After time, a long time I might add like in years, you might have to get another piece of gator board but its not that expensive.

Just another angle for those having trouble with the glued tape .

Johnnie

I must say I use both a staple at the corners seems to do the trick, when using just staples if they are not close enough you end up with uneveness in beteween like little pillows.
I did some stretching today it is the first time in a long time that it has worked without too many staples as well as the gum tape what was different this time I used a towel to dry the paper and I will still use at least 4 staples one each corners as I feel there is a tremendous amount of tension from the paper and it will help the gum paper a better chance.
Marylka

[Johnnie]

What I do is.

I wet the paper

I put the paper on the Gatorboard

I take a towel and wipe will pressing down the paper from the middle to the edges trying to
stretch it as I wipe the towel across the paper

Once I am happy with the wiping I then start to staple

I put a staple in the centers or all sides.

I then add staples every 3 inches or so as I wipe into the direction of the corner of what ever side I am stapling from the center.

Then let dry

I don't get a wrinkle or a bubble or a bump or anything.

Just nice flat even ready to paint paper.

Johnnie

[Renee]

I know people who do this and love it this way. The gator board will still last years when stapling is used.
My tape works well for me and I have no problems with it buckling.

[Johnnie]

I tried the brown gum tape and had nothing but trouble. Damn glue just would not hold very well. Cost me about 30 bux for the roll so I don't think it was the cheap stuf. Maybe tho.
I saw a suggestion about stapling similar to what I explained and it sure worked great, after trying the gum tape, so never went back.

Hey, I wish I could have had it to work. Stapling does take a bit more work.

I am however going to try that new tape Susan was talking about. Hope it works.

I have tried Painters tape, the stuff used when painting walls and things, but found the watercolour bled underneath.

Johnnie

[Renee]

The brown gummed tape really is not very reliable. I use Lukas tape. http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/Tapes-and-Adhesives/Tape/Lukas-Wet-Adhesive-Tape.htm
It never lets me down. It's what Susan uses and she let me try hers at our workshop. Now its all I use.

[marylka]

I tried the brown gum tape and had nothing but trouble. Damn glue just would not hold very well. Cost me about 30 bux for the roll so I don't think it was the cheap stuf. Maybe tho.
I saw a suggestion about stapling similar to what I explained and it sure worked great, after trying the gum tape, so never went back.

Hey, I wish I could have had it to work. Stapling does take a bit more work.

I am however going to try that new tape Susan was talking about. Hope it works.

I have tried Painters tape, the stuff used when painting walls and things, but found the watercolour bled underneath.

Johnnie

Johnnie

What I found that drying the paper on the towel so that it's not standing in to much water and using just a few staples did the trick for me.I feel that previously I had just put the sheet down full of water without drying it first to much water laying about after the paper has been soaked I fell there is no reason to keep the paper in a puddle of water , the paper and gum drying at different speed was my problem the paper dried faster as well when i dried it , if you want to use what you have it may be worth another go as the gum paper you bought sounds expensive .
The painters tape I feel does not work for the stretching.
Stretching paper seems to be a neverending subject there are so may variables that must happen temperature humidity I think plays a part and the fact that there is so much pull from the paper.
Marylka

[Maylon]

Still not got it right, for the love of me I do not know what I am doing wrong, but will persist as I have no option. LOL I am sure staples would help me as well, but we do not get gator boards here, and you cant staple in masonite. Next time I go overseas I am going to buy gator boards by the truckload. How many do you think you need? Obviously it depends, but a rough estimate, maybe.

[Renee]

Still not got it right, for the love of me I do not know what I am doing wrong, but will persist as I have no option. LOL I am sure staples would help me as well, but we do not get gator boards here, and you cant staple in masonite. Next time I go overseas I am going to buy gator boards by the truckload. How many do you think you need? Obviously it depends, but a rough estimate, maybe.

You might be able to order them. a few people here are trying the 3/4 inch Gatorboard (they call by a different name) at Jerry's Artarama. http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/Painting-Supplies/Watercolor-Boards/Jerrys-Lightweight-Watercolor-Boards.htm#addTheItem
Check the  thread at Re: GATOR BOARD. DIFFICULT TO FIND ?
« Reply #26 on: May 21, 2010, 01:17:38 AM » and read up on the discussion about it. Susan said she was going to call them and ask about it to find out if it is the real deal.

[marylka]

Still not got it right, for the love of me I do not know what I am doing wrong, but will persist as I have no option. LOL I am sure staples would help me as well, but we do not get gator boards here, and you cant staple in masonite. Next time I go overseas I am going to buy gator boards by the truckload. How many do you think you need? Obviously it depends, but a rough estimate, maybe.

Hi Maylon,
It is frustrating if you can get  thin MDF board that has a white  mat surface finish  and stick that to your Masonite that may work, I did this on a sheet  of material that was to smooth, that is why the gum tape won't adhere to it .Or maybe gesso the Masonite board several times this also gives a mat finish not sure how long the gesso it would last , if it works you could always apply more. Or  house paint mat finish i would sand the masonite board  and use a paint sealer.The surface of any product used for stretching needs to be mat and waterproof I say waterproof other wise it absorbs the water too much from the paper that is the key since you can't get gatorboard.Masonite comes in tempered and untempered  ,tempered one has an oily finish.  Some also use marine ply wood board, if one can get a thikness that doesn't warp. Or if you have some small claps the ones you can screw to tighten place them on the corners and along the side  or large bull dog clips.I'm just giving some suggestions as you may have these thing at home you could use Let me know how you go.
Marylka