Clean up the floor of the stage. Use a broom to remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated. Anything that remains on the stage is likely to transfer to the backdrop, which can ruin the scenery. Remove all objects from the stage floor as well.
Lay the backdrop at center upstage with the webbing and hanging system facing the rear of the stage. If the backdrop is folded, get another stagehand to stand at one end of the backdrop. Carefully unroll the fabric toward the front of the stage so the image is facing up. Arrange the drop so it is at the exact center of the stage.
Lower the batten or stage pipe. Tie the backdrop to the batten or pipe beginning at the center tie and moving out toward the sides. If the drop has grommets or clips, fasten them accordingly, beginning at the center.
Raise the batten, leaving 1 foot of excess fabric at the bottom to be weighed down. If your backdrop has a long sleeve similar to a curtain at the bottom, insert a metal pipe into it to weigh it down. For drops without a sleeve, fasten the bottom to the stage with staples or dark tape. Alternatively, wrap the bottom of the fabric around a thin, heavy object, such as a pipe, and secure it using dark tape. Without the weight, the backdrop can easily move when actors or stagehands move behind it.