Once your words are written, the next question is where they sit. In step two of the Canvas Builder, you choose a position (top, middle or bottom) and an alignment (left, centre or right). Together they decide the mood of the piece.
Position: where the block of words sits
Middle is the traditional choice. It feels balanced and symmetrical, and it works for nearly every wall. It is the safest option, and often the best.
Top keeps the words at eye level and leaves open space below. It suits a canvas hung low, such as above a sideboard, because the words stay near eye height.
Bottom places the words low and leaves open space above. It feels modern and slightly editorial, and it works well when you want the canvas to feel airy, or when it hangs high on a tall wall.
Alignment: how the lines sit within the block
Centre is formal and calm. It suits names, dates and short phrases, and it is how most traditional quotes are set.
Left is relaxed and modern. The even edge on the left and ragged edge on the right reads like the page of a book, which makes it comfortable for longer text.
Right is the unusual choice, and it feels quietly deliberate. It can be striking on a landscape canvas where the words sit in the lower right, but it takes a confident room to carry it off.
Combine them with intent
Some pairings work reliably:
- Middle and centre: classic and balanced.
- Bottom and left: modern, with open space above.
- Top and centre: gentle, good for a low-hung canvas.
If two decisions pull in different directions, keep one of them traditional. Middle with left alignment, for example, gives a modern look that still feels settled.
Think about the wall around it
Look at what hangs next to the canvas. If a neighbouring picture is centred, centre yours too. If your wall has a strong left edge, such as a door frame, left alignment gives it something to follow.
See it in the preview
Words look different when they move. Try each combination in the Builder, with your real text. It takes seconds, and it is the quickest way to see which one feels right.
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