A stable canvas makes small numbered shapes easier to fill and helps paint dry evenly.
For a rolled canvas
Unroll it on a clean surface and allow it to relax. Place clean, flat books near the edges for a short period, or roll it gently in the opposite direction around a wide tube. Do not create a hard fold.
Secure the canvas to a smooth board with low-tack painter’s tape or clips. Keep the printed area flat and avoid placing adhesive over the artwork.
For a pre-stretched canvas
Set the canvas on an easel or a protected tabletop. Check that it sits steadily before opening the paints. The wooden stretcher bars are the support structure; an additional decorative outer frame is optional.
Before the first brushstroke
Work in bright, neutral light, compare the canvas with the reference image and make sure the smallest numbers are easy to see. Keep food, drinks and loose fibres away from the surface.