<p>These are called "<a href="http://painting.about.com/od/paintingforbeginners/a/canvaskeys.htm" rel="nofollow">canvas keys</a>".</p>

<p>The are shimmed into the corners of the canvas to maintain the tautness of the canvas.  This generally happens only on machine-assembled frames, or on mass-produced frames that have low-quality inspection standards (for cost).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-24T07:53:52.097Z
They are also used on good quality canvas as even the best canvas can stretch over time.
Artemesia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T07:22:33.510Z
How exactly do you do that? Which way round do they go into the slots? How hard should you push them in?
Tom Medley
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-08T17:46:53.833Z
@TomMedley if you follow the link, you will find how to use them. You push them as hard as it is suitable for you.
niutech
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-26T23:13:34.223Z
2016-05-19T22:45:32.793Z
2016-05-19T22:45:32.793Z
New Alexandria
<p>I buy pre-made canvases, and they always come with a little packet of wooden things:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ZgJ3J.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZgJ3J.jpg" alt="Canvas wooden things"></a></p>

<p>What are they for? How should I use them?</p>

<painting><canvas>
What are the little pieces of wood that come with pre-made canvas for?
Tom Medley
# What are the little pieces of wood that come with pre-made canvas for?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-26)

I buy pre-made canvases, and they always come with a little packet of wooden things:

[![Canvas wooden things](https://i.sstatic.net/ZgJ3J.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ZgJ3J.jpg)

What are they for? How should I use them?

**Tags:** painting, canvas


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-04-26. Score: 12 | Accepted answer

These are called "[canvas keys](http://painting.about.com/od/paintingforbeginners/a/canvaskeys.htm)".

The are shimmed into the corners of the canvas to maintain the tautness of the canvas. This generally happens only on machine-assembled frames, or on mass-produced frames that have low-quality inspection standards (for cost).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: How exactly do you do that? Which way round do they go into the slots? How hard should you push them in?  
> **username_3**: @username_0 if you follow the link, you will find how to use them. You push them as hard as it is suitable for you.  
> **username_2**: They are also used on good quality canvas as even the best canvas can stretch over time.  

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