How to Hang Large Backdrops

One of the mainstays of any photography studio is a variety of backdrops. These usually consist of large rolls of paper, each a different color or tone, that can be unfurled and hung up. On average a roll of backdrop paper is 53 to 107 inches wide and 36 feet long. These backdrops can easily tear or get soiled so they are usually stored rolled up until the day of the photo shoot when they are hung up.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of 1-by-3 10-foot pine
• 2 pieces of 2-by-2 10-foot pine
• Hand saw
• Tape measure
• T-brackets and screws
• Screwdriver
• Carpenter's square
• Large binder clips
• Sandbags (optional)

Instructions

1. Build a wood frame out of 1-by-3 inch and 2-by-2 inch lengths of wood. Set the 2-by-2 inch, 10-foot long strips of wood on the ground or floor. These are the uprights for the frame.

2. Cut the 1-by 3 inch wood to the width of the roll of backdrop paper less the width of each 2-by-2. This ensures the finished width of the frame will be the exact width of the backdrop paper.

3. Measure 4 inches in from each end of the two 2-by-2 strips of wood. Lay the 1-by-3s perpendicular to the 2-by-2 strips. Screw in a stainless steel, flat T-bracket at each of the four corners where the wood strips meet. Use a carpenter's square to ensure the corners are square.

4. Lean the wood frame against the wall. Position the roll of backdrop paper at the bottom of the frame. With the help of another person, start unrolling the paper, pulling the top edge upwards.

5. Clamp the top edge of the backdrop paper to the 1-by-3 cross-piece using large binder clips. Continue clamping the sides of the paper to the vertical 2-by-2s, pulling the paper taut against the wood frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Place sandbags at the base of the wood frame to hold the backdrop paper taut.

• Be careful how you light the backdrop paper so the frame doesn't show through the paper when taking the photographs.

References

• Backdrop Factory: Storing and Transporting Backdrops