If you are serious about your painting, your canvas has to hold up. The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is built for artists who load their brush, push thick paint, and expect a surface that stays taut, session after session.

Stretched over a sustainably sourced, kiln-dried pine frame measuring 38mm deep, this canvas gives you a contemporary gallery-wrap finish straight out of the box. The 380gsm cotton duck is triple-primed with a universal primer, acid-free, and unbleached — ready to paint the moment it arrives. Double-stapled at the back with mitred corners and gallery folds, it is built to resist warping even when you are working wet-on-wet or using heavy-body acrylics with impasto mediums.

The 38mm frame depth means your artwork looks finished on a wall without a frame. That is not a minor convenience — it is a significant saving on framing costs, and it is why so many Australian artists and art teachers use this range for exhibition work, commissions, and studio practice.

Art Shed stocks the full Mont Marte Premium Double Thick range, from compact sizes ideal for studies and still-life work, through to large-format canvases up to 121.8 x 182.8cm (48" x 72") for statement pieces. See our complete Mont Marte canvas size list to find the right dimensions for your next piece. Whether you are buying one canvas for a project or stocking your studio, every size is in stock and dispatched the same day from our Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses.

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What makes this canvas professional-grade?

The word "premium" in the product name reflects a packaging update by Mont Marte - the canvas itself remains what artists and art teachers have relied on for years. Here is what separates it from budget student canvas:

  • 380gsm high-density cotton duck — heavier than standard 280–300gsm student canvas, meaning less flex under brushstroke pressure and better longevity
  • Triple-primed universal primer - three coats create a consistent, non-absorbent surface so your paint goes where you put it, not into the weave
  • 38mm kiln-dried pine frame - kiln-dried timber is less prone to moisture absorption and warping, especially important in the Australian climate
  • Double staples on the back - keeps canvas tension uniform and prevents slippage during heavy impasto or palette knife work
  • Gallery folded corners with mitred edges - a hallmark of professional-grade canvas; no visible staples from the front

Canvas Specifications

Specification Detail
Canvas Material 380gsm cotton duck - high-density, acid-free, unbleached
Priming Triple-coated universal primer - ready to paint, no additional priming needed
Frame Depth 38mm (1.5") - contemporary gallery-wrap depth, no framing required
Frame Material Kiln-dried sustainably sourced pine 
Frame Profile 38 x 38mm with bevelled edges
Stapling Double-stapled on the back for maximum canvas tension
Corners Gallery folded with mitred edges - professional finish
Suitable Media Acrylic, oil, mixed media
Available Sizes Multiple sizes — see our complete Mont Marte canvas size list
Formerly Known As Mont Marte Professional Double Thick Canvas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Mont Marte Signature and Premium double thick canvas?

The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas has a 38mm (1.5") deep frame and uses 380gsm cotton duck triple-primed with universal primer. The Signature range uses a slightly shallower 36mm (1.4") frame. Both are double-thick compared to the standard single-thick range, but the Premium is the higher-specification option, suited to artists using heavy-body acrylics, oils, or mixed media. For exhibition work or commissions, the Premium is the recommended choice. See our full Signature vs Premium guide for a detailed comparison.

Do I need to prime a Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas before painting?

No. The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas comes triple-primed with a universal primer and is ready to paint straight from the box. The three coats of primer create a consistent, non-absorbent surface suitable for acrylic and oil paint. If you prefer a particularly smooth surface for fine detail work, you can apply one additional coat of gesso and lightly sand when dry - but for most artists and most painting styles, no additional priming is required.

Can I use oil paint on Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas?

Yes. The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is suitable for oil painting. The triple-primed universal primer creates a barrier between the oil and the canvas fibres, which prevents the oil from degrading the cotton over time. Ensure the canvas is fully dry between sessions and allow adequate drying time between layers. For long-term archival oil work, an additional coat of oil-specific primer adds extra protection.

What GSM is the Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas?

The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is 380gsm (grams per square metre). This is a high-density weave, heavier than most student-grade canvases, which typically range from 240–310gsm. A higher GSM means a more substantial, stable surface that holds up well under multiple layers of paint, impasto techniques, and palette-knife work.

How deep is the frame on a double thick canvas?

The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas has a 38mm (approximately 1.5 inch) deep frame. This depth is considered gallery-wrap depth, meaning the artwork wraps around the side of the frame and looks complete without needing a separate picture frame. The 38mm depth is the "double thick" measurement - standard single-thick canvases typically have a 17–19mm frame depth.

Is Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas the same as the old Professional series?

Yes. Mont Marte updated the product name from "Professional" to "Premium" across their canvas range. The canvas specifications remain the same - 380gsm cotton duck, triple-primed, 38mm kiln-dried pine frame, double-stapled with gallery corners. If you previously purchased Mont Marte Professional Double Thick Canvas, the Premium range is the current equivalent.

Can I use impasto techniques on this canvas?

Yes. The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is well suited to impasto painting. The 380gsm high-density weave provides a stable, firm surface that does not flex excessively under heavy paint application. The 38mm kiln-dried pine frame adds structural rigidity that supports the additional weight of thick paint and heavy-body mediums. For very heavy impasto work on large canvases, it is good practice to reinforce the back of the frame with a cross-bar brace.

What sizes are available in the Mont Marte Premium Double Thick range?

Art Shed stocks the full Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas range, from small study sizes up to 121.8 x 182.8cm (48" x 72"). Popular sizes include standard portrait, landscape, and square formats, available individually and in carton quantities for artists stocking a studio or teaching an art class. See our complete Mont Marte canvas size list for every available dimension and format.

Why buy Mont Marte canvas from Art Shed instead of direct?

Art Shed Online is an Australian family-owned art supply business, voted Best Online Art Supplies Retailer - Australia 2026 by the Australian Enterprise Awards (APAC Insider), with over 15,000 five-star reviews. We stock the complete Mont Marte range and dispatch orders the same day from our Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses. Buying from Art Shed means you are supporting an independent Australian business, and you have access to our team for expert advice on canvas selection, sizing, and technique.

What is the best canvas for palette knife painting?

For palette knife painting, a heavier canvas with a rigid frame is recommended. The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is a strong choice - the 380gsm cotton duck and 38mm kiln-dried pine frame provide enough rigidity to support the lateral pressure of palette knife strokes without the canvas flexing or the frame bowing. For large-scale palette knife work, pair the canvas with a sturdy easel that minimises movement during painting.

Is this canvas suitable for beginners?

Yes, although it is designed with serious hobbyists, art students, and professional artists in mind. The triple-primed surface means beginners do not have to worry about priming and can paint immediately. The sturdy frame and heavy canvas means the surface behaves predictably — important when you are learning to control paint consistency and application. The Mont Marte Premium Double Thick Canvas is a better starting point than cheaper student canvases because the quality surface removes one variable from the learning process.