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How to Build a Set Backdrop

Having a set backdrop for your presentation, production, musical performance or photo shoot provides visual art to the stage that enables the viewer to imagine and feel what you are offering them. A backdrop is a painted or solid colored piece of cloth that is hung or draped across the back of the stage area. The cloth can be plain, sewn with ruffles or other designs or painted to resemble a scene. The backdrop can be moved, replaced or lifted to change the look and feel of the set with less effort than props.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth large enough to cover the back of the stage
  • Disappearing ink fabric marker
  • Sewing machine
  • Paint
  • Grommets
  • Grommet tool
  • Hammer
  • Metal bar as long as the back of the stage
  • Black tie line, twice as long as the set
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Instructions

    • 1

      Design the backdrop needed for the production or event. Determine if you want the fabric left plain for the use of multicolored lights, gathered for a simple look or painted with a scene. For gathers, draw lines where the fabric needs to be sewn to achieve the design you desire. Gathers can produce scalloped rows or only ruffles along the edges.

    • 2

      Lay the fabric out across the floor or other large, flat surface and mark out the design with a disappearing ink fabric marker. It is not recommended to use the washable markers as you may be unable to launder the fabric after creating the design or painting the fabric.

    • 3

      Sew along the gathers and hem the edges of the fabric.

    • 4

      Paint the design or scene onto the fabric. Skip this step if you plan to use special lighting techniques, are leaving the fabric plain or if you have sewn gathers into the fabric.

    • 5

      Install grommets across the top edge of the backdrop. To install the grommets, set the two metal rings in place on opposite sides of the fabric. Use the grommet tool supplied with the grommets to hold the pieces in place. Hammer the tool until the grommets are set and secured into the fabric.

    • 6

      Insert the metal bar through the grommets one by one until it has been inserted through all of the grommets.

    • 7

      Insert a black tie line through the bar. Leave a sufficient amount protruding from each side. Using black tie line allows any parts that are showing to disappear against the background. This line will be used to hang the backdrop from the eaves above the stage or other structures available.

Stage Productions

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