Where can I find backdrop fabric?

[Claudemir Bonfim]

You should try different sorts and colors, sometimes two or three types of fabric might be used in the same composition.

[Richard Budig]

I used to go to fabric stores (of all kinds) and asked for the remnants department -- the place where they have roll-ends, and random pieces of fabric.

You can find some really great stuff, usually new, for a few cents on the dollar (usually) since it may be in an irregular shape, or have a bit of off-color margin or stains showing. The slightly off color parts usually don't bother, any way, since it tends to go very soft as you look at your set up. I've bought yards and yards of new stuff for very little money this way.

[Brenda Ellis]

My local fabric store has a remnant and bargain outlet room and they have big bins of various fabrics for $1 a pound. Of course, it's best if I pick out lighter materials but I've gotten great fabrics there.
But my favorite all-time place is the local thrift store. Big indian blankets or curtains or king sized bed sheets or even props.

If you want something such as just a neutral toned background, go to Lowe's or Home Depot, buy a cheap canvas paint drop, get their $5 a bucket Oops latex paint (paint they've either mixed too much of or made a mistake on) and water it down and tone your own canvas. You can put grommets in yourself. (At a fabric store they should know how to and be able to tell you. It's simple to do.) And then get a little set of shower curtain rings at Target for a couple of bucks. You want to use thin paint so that the canvas doesn't get stiff and then you'll be fighting with fold lines and paint cracks if you ever have to fold it.

If you can find a white (or any light color) flat bed sheet at a thrift store, you can use Rit dye to get it a color that's useful to you. (As long as what you're dyeing is cotton. Some blends do not take dye well, but cotton always will.) You'll have to run your washer through a whole cycle with bleach and a few dust rags or shop towels after you've used it for dyeing.

Theoretically you could dye a canvas paint drop but my washing machine isn't that big. (If you happen to have a big witch's cauldron you could use the boil and stir method.)

If there is a local decent sized theatre near you, call the props department and ask if you can look through their soft goods and you can usually rent a few things for a nominal fee. They will even most likely have persian rugs you can rent fairly cheaply.

I don't know how much professional photography backdrops cost, but I'd bet any of the above described methods would be cheaper, although a bit more work.

Well, that's all I know.

[Mary Reilly]

This had come up a few years ago, and I beleive it was Karen Wells who had a great solution that I followed up on.

There is a product called "Photek Background-in-a-bag". It is a background and support bars all in a portable bag. The backdrop comes in different colors and also you can choose between 8x12 and 6x7. The whole system is lightweight and very easy to put together and take apart which makes it great for going on the road.

The backdrop itself is soft velour and a nice weight similar to a blanket weight. Because of the weight it hangs nicely and no light comes through. The backdrops are solid on one side and a painted effect on the other. I purchased the gray backdrop, and if I want different colors I can pin a table cloth, sheet, blanket or whatever right to the gray backdrop. That way I have the support system and nice cloth weight of the purchased set with the color changes at will.

I purchased mine from www.adorama.com. The prices are $109.95 and $159.95 depending on the size chosen. Their navigation system doesn't make their location readily apparent so I recommend putting "Photek Background-in-a-bag" in the search box.

Hope this helps.
Mary

[Sharon Knettell]

Mary,

I have that system, it works really well.

[Mary Reilly]

Sharon,
My favorite part is how easily it sets up and breaks down, and then I can put the whole setup out of sight until needed for the next photo session.
Mary