In art terms, this is the action of tightening canvas or linen over pieces of wood known as stretcher bars. This is a technique preferable to just buying pre-fabbed canvasses, which in the long run do not hold up as well anyway. It is more aesthetically pleasing to stretch your own canvas, as well as you have more control over how tight the surface is, as well as the size of the piece you hope to complete. Clamps are used to pull the canvas tighter as brads, nails or staples are used to hold the edges tightly in place.