Saber Coating: The Ancestral Secret of Exceptional Linen Canvases

At Master Toiles, we believe that the quality of a painting starts long before the first brushstroke. The secret lies in the preparation of the support, and more specifically in a rare artisanal technique: Saber Coating.

What is Saber Coating? Unlike industrial "roller" or "spray" coating, saber coating is a manual process. The artisan uses a long, flexible metal blade (the saber) to spread the primer (the coating) across the linen. This technique requires great dexterity and several successive layers, with natural drying time between each coat.

Why does it make a difference for artists?

1. Respect for the Fiber: The saber pushes the coating deep into the heart of the linen fiber without crushing it. The canvas retains all its natural flexibility and "nerve."


2. Incomparable Texture: This method creates a unique surface that is both smooth and slightly irregular, offering a "grip" that industrial canvases can never replicate.


3. Longevity: A saber-coated canvas is much less likely to crack over time. The bond between the linen and the primer is structural, ensuring your artwork lasts for centuries.

A Tradition for Modern Masters By choosing a saber-coated linen canvas from Master Toiles, you are choosing a support crafted with the same methods used by the Great Masters of history. It is the perfect alliance between high-quality natural linen and a French artisanal savoir-faire that we are proud to preserve in our workshop.