How to Make Holes in Canvas

Hole Only

• 1

  Use a pencil to draw the area that you want to cut. This acts as a cutting guide.

• 2

  Insert just the tip of a sharp knife into the marked area, using caution not to cut past your marked area. Make an “X” with the knife.

• 3

  Use a paintbrush to apply a moderate amount of gesso to the outer perimeter of your cut area. Do this to the front and back of your canvas. Allow the gesso to dry thoroughly before trying to string something through the canvas or hang it. Once dried, the gesso will act as a reinforcing barrier so the hole in the canvas doesn’t rip.

Hole with Grommet

• 4

  Place a grommet on the canvas where you want the hole. Trace the inside of the grommet hole so you know how big to cut the hole.

• 5

  Insert just the tip of a sharp knife into the marked area, using caution not to cut past your marked area.

• 6

  Put a grommet, sometimes called an eyelet, into the hole that you made in your canvas. There will be a front piece and a back piece to the grommet.

• 7

  Open the head of your eyelet pliers all the way. Position the pliers' head over the grommet and slowly apply pressure to compress the grommet. This will make the grommet clamp down onto the canvas and keep it in place.