To stretch drawing paper on a board cut the paper 1/2 in. less than the board all round; then turn it over and sprinkle the back with water, spreading it over the whole sheet and leaving the 1/2-in. margin dry all round for the glue. Let the free water dry off and then turn over the paper, taking care to place it in position so that it need not be moved, as, the paper being moist, it drags heavily when being shifted. Place a full length straightedge on top of the paper, keeping it 1/2in. inside the edge of the paper, put a heavy weight on each end of the straightedge to keep it from shifting, and then turn up the dry edge of the paper all along. Glue it down with thin hot glue and, after pressing the edge to the board, wipe off all superfluous glue with a clean cotton cloth wrung out in very hot water. This should be done carefully, as lumps of glue that harden on the edge will throw the tee-square out of truth. Do the same for all the other sides, stretching the paper as tightly as possible, and doing the longest sides first. The paper should be allowed to dry while the board is lying flat, as otherwise any free water underneath will drain down to the glue and prevent it setting properly. When the paper dries it will be found to be dead flat and stretched as tight as a drum.

Drawing paper that is to be pinned down should be stretched and fixed from alternate corners, drawing as tight as possible.