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canvas tray mouldings
Once stretched, a canvas may be hung as it is, or can be framed either with a conventional moulding or a canvas tray moulding (without glass).  If framed in a tray, it must be remembered that some poorly made strainers may not be square, or may bow in the middle. Another factor to bear in mind is whether or not to have a gulley(or gap) between the frame and the canvas.  If the sides of the canvas are quite messy then this is best avoided. Lastly, where the canvas sits in relation to the front face of the frame needs to be considered; either recessed, flush, or proud of the frame.

canvas stretching
The most basic method of stretching a canvas is to cut and join a suitable length of timber and pull the work as tight as possible using stretcher pliers. This is referred to as a strainer.  The only drawback is that if the work sags over time, there is no way of retightening it except taking it off and starting again.
A better solution is to use ready made stretcher bars which have an interlocking mortice and tenon joint at the corners, with a slot on the inside edge enabling a wedge to be inserted to facilitate a keener stretch than pliers alone can manage. These can also be tapped gently  to retighten the canvas over time.
The canvas on the left has been stretched using top of the range Bird and Davies stretcher bars.  If you rollover the image you will see the back, which has cross members to stop the bars from bending in the middle under the strain from the canvas.
It should be remembered that at least 50mm of the canvas on all sides will wrap around the frame and will be lost from the front face.