Specifications on Linen that I use - Made In The U.S.A:
Proudly Cut and hand stretched in N. Hollywood CA facility - 13 oz Triple Primed 100% Linen canvas
Linen is the finest canvas ensuring the greatest longevity. Woven from yarn of strong flax fibers, linen canvas is also the favorite of many artists because of its quality look and feel.
Triple \ Universal Primed:
All linen canvas is coated with 3 layers of acid free gesso, making it ready to paint on (with acrylics, oils, alkyds and more) and smoothing the surface for medium-smooth texture.
Gallery Stretched
Gallery stretched on kiln dried stretcher bars. All Canvas is Gallery stretched which means that the staples are only in the back and cannot be seen once canvas is on the wall.
Rust Free:
Every staple is galvanized, eliminating staple corrosion.
Perfect Angles:
Machinist accuracy in creating perfect 90 degree angles while assembling stretcher bar frames.
Kiln Dried Stretcher Bars + Braces :
Make the frame extra strong and stable- guaranteed not to warp.
Any canvas over 30" is braced to add extra strength.
Sizes 30x40 and up Also includes corner braces.
From the Windsor Newton Website
Linen
Linen is strong and durable, and remains the preferred surface for many artists but it is expensive. It is made from the fibres of the flax plant and top quality flax is harvested mainly in Western Europe. If you want your painting to last then a linen canvas is a sound investment. The threads that make up linen, known as the warp and weft threads, weigh the same, which means they are less prone to expansion or contraction due to moisture.
Linen retains its natural oils, which helps to preserve the fibre’s flexibility and stops the canvas from going brittle. It is also regarded as having a more ‘natural’ weaved finish than cotton – a variety of textures and weights are available in both rough and smooth finishes.
Because of its strength linen holds up to a heavy painting hand and does not become slack as easily as cotton canvas.