Fabric or PVC backdrop
If the backdrop will be filmed, photographed or lit, choose fabric. If it is going outdoors or being wiped down, or the budget is tight, choose PVC.
Fabric on camera, PVC in the rain.
Lights are what separate these two. A woven fabric scatters light, so a stage lamp or camera flash spreads softly across its surface. PVC has more of a sheen, and with lights pointing at it you can get hot spots on the image. Those show up behind speakers' heads, in every picture, which is the last place you want them.
Take away the cameras and PVC becomes much more competitive. It is tough, it wipes clean, and it does not mind weather.
Which event are you running?
| Event | Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Conference stage | Fabric | Stage lighting and video |
| Awards night or gala | Fabric | Soft finish and no glare in photographs |
| Photo booth | Fabric | Flash at close range |
| Outdoor stage or festival | PVC | Rain, wind and dirt |
| Sports presentation at the pitch side | PVC | Outdoors, and likely to get knocked |
| School hall production | Either | Depends on budget and on the lighting |
Handling and transport
Fabric is pleasant to carry and folds into a small bag, but folds can leave creases, so allow time on site for them to drop out. Some fabrics can be steamed: ask us about the one you choose before trying. It should be hung under gentle tension, or it will show ripples.
PVC should be rolled, not folded, or its creases can become permanent. A large backdrop rolled onto a tube gets long and heavy, and that matters if you are taking it up stairs or in a car. Eyelets along the edges make PVC simple to tension to a frame.
The two on price
PVC is the lower figure at each listed size. Larger backdrops are made to order, so use these to compare and not as a final price.
| Material | A1 | A0 | 40in x 30in | 60in x 40in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC banner | £20 | £30 | £25 | £45 |
| Eco-textile | £35 | £55 | £45 | £75 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Questions to take to the venue
- Fire safety. Many venues ask for evidence that drapes and backdrops meet their fire requirements. Find out what they need early, and tell us, as it can affect the choice of material.
- Rigging. What can it hang from, and who hangs it? Their rules may decide how it needs to be finished.
- Size of the opening. Measure the stage, then measure the route to it. A roll that cannot get round a corner is no use.
- Lighting plan. If you can, speak to the lighting team. Dark colours soak up light, and pale backdrops can flare on camera.
Reuse
If you hold events each year, leave the date off the artwork. Fabric that gets washed may change, so ask before cleaning it. PVC is simple to wipe, and should be left to dry before rolling. See backdrop printing for wider advice, or portable backdrops for events if you need something that goes up in one go.
Backdrops and large event graphics.
Your questions.
Will a fabric backdrop be see-through?
Some light can pass through thin fabrics, particularly with lights behind them. Mention anything bright behind the backdrop, so the material can be chosen with that in mind.
Can PVC be made less shiny?
Finishes vary between materials. If glare is a concern, tell us about the lighting, as fabric is often a better answer than trying to dull a PVC surface.
Which is better for a large logo wall?
Both work. Logo walls for press pictures are usually better in a low-glare material, so see our press wall printing page for specifics.