How to stain a backdrop from Home depo?

[OceanRider]

Quick question:

Home Depo has a nice big canvas/cotton drop cloth for painting. It would make an excellent larges sized back drop, how on earth do I effectivly paint/stain/colour it?

[Jon]

You forgot to say what effect you wanted on it . . .

[OceanRider]

sorry, lol, how stupid of me...some type of attractive blackish (light or dark) does not really matter just a dark one.

[Scottes]

I wouldn't use something from Home Depot, as it might have some "stain resistant" chemicals. I'd buy a wide piece of muslin from a fabric store, wash it, and then use some RIT fabric dye to color it. If you want to go black you might want to get a dark brown muslin, dye it purple, then dye it black.

[robertwgross]

If you really want to go solid black, then buy velveteen fabric from a fabric store. It will soak up all the light you want to throw at it.

For canvas, you want to get something that will soak into the weave and not stand on the surface (and flake off later). I would try to do something like a tie-dye. Leave a big tied knot in the center, and it will become pale. Then the rest of the outside will be darker.

---Bob Gross---

[Jon, The Elder]

I'm with SCOTTES on this one - hem the edges and install corner grommets. (Those you can buy at HD).

Muslin gives best strength to weight ratio and accepts dyes/paints very well. Not too expensive overall.

send photo when completed -

Jon F.

[OceanRider]

sounds good, the problem with the fabric is that is not big enough, hence the HDepo size. I need a big back drop for large family portraits. Wanted something as dark as possible, but not anything that would flake off....I have lots of great fabric but just not big enough.

[adauria]

Can I ask a dumb (very dumb) question: If I want to have a solid color backdrop, can't I just use a 100% cotton flat bed sheet that I already have?? (Yes, I am THAT cheap)

Thanks!!

-Andrew

[PhotosGuy]

can't I just use a 100% cotton flat bed sheet that I already have??
Got aspirin? LOTS of it? ;-)

[MTalley]

Can I ask a dumb (very dumb) question: If I want to have a solid color backdrop, can't I just use a 100% cotton flat bed sheet that I already have?? (Yes, I am THAT cheap)


Sure. Make sure it doesn't get backlit, though. Cotton sheets are relatively thin compared to muslin and canvas. Use two, instead of one, to cut down on the transmissive nature of flash through the fabric. This will also potentially cause color transfers.

I've used bed sheets in a pinch. I wouldn't call it cheap as much as "creative". :D Biggest problem I've had is finding a color I like (when not shooting white).

[adauria]

Cool, thanks! Good advice. I'm all about "creative" solutions that might be solved easier with some money.

-Andrew

[SWPhotoImaging]

I've used a bright blue bedsheet when I want to replace the background later in photoshop. It worked pretty well as long as it was front lit at an angle with wash lights behind the subject.