?Ironing? a Vinyl cloth background

I recently purchased these two backgrounds.

https://www.ebay.com …ksid=p2057872.m​2749.l2649

https://www.ebay.com …ksid=p2057872.m​2749.l2649

And my friend is saying I can iron the wrinkles out, but I never have done this before. I've got a photo session this Saturday with some family, and I really need to get this done asap. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

If the material can not be ironed,. you might be able to steam it. We use them when ironing is not an option do to other practicalities, not sure about use on vinyl though.

https://www.amazon.com …fRID=Y5DFD0GAAQ​1JWAE8T4X0

How to steam vinyl;
https://taeliac.devian​tart.com …l-Steaming-vinyl-59736470

I would be very careful putting an iron to vinyl.

EDIT: Don't steam!

I found this
"DONT use a steam iron if its printed or hand painted. You could ruin it if moisture gets into the print. Best option is to hang it (as if in use) pulling it taut by clamping/fixing to the stands. If you still have creases then a light iron may work but place something between the backcloth and the iron. You can then apply some pressure on the stubborn creases."

You may also want to try stretching it out and using a hair dryer (gently) on the back to relieve the creases.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18475320
If the material can not be ironed,. you can steam it.

https://www.amazon.com …fRID=Y5DFD0GAAQ​1JWAE8T4X0

I would be very careful putting an iron to vinyl.

That's what I was thinking, my friend said it wouldn't be touching but near it. I see videos on youtube about using a hair dryer? The room I use for my studio is large but I don't have the space to myself, how these large backdrops usually stored when not being used?

Upon reading your edit: Thanks!!
This is honestly why I prefer outdoor shoots, so much work when it comes to indoor shoots...

Ironing vinyl can be tricky. Some vinyl gets incredibly sticky when heated or if the iron gets too hot. Steam would be better for sure but unlike cloth, steam needs to heat up the plastic pretty hot before fold lines and creases will come out. Try ironing first but don't put the iron directly on the vinyl, use a press cloth.

See my edit,. I think hair dryer is likely best. I wasn't considering the print on your backdrop when i posted steamer,. was only thinking of the fabric itself.

What I see after a search on the web is someone using a dry iron set on low heat. In addition, someone else suggested laying the vinyl background out on flat surface in warm sunlight. I also saw a suggestion to use a portable hair dryer to warm the vinyl fabric.

I think the hair dryer concept would be the easiest method to manage properly.

After smoothing the fabric, store it on an appropriately sized roll form (tube). I'd suggest going to a carpet store to find a cardboard tube for the purpose.

SkipD wrote in post #18475328
What I see after a search on the web is someone using a dry iron set on low heat. In addition, someone else suggested laying the vinyl background out on flat surface in warm sunlight. I also saw a suggestion to use a portable hair dryer to warm the vinyl fabric.

I think the hair dryer concept would be the easiest method to manage properly.

After smoothing the fabric, store it on an appropriately sized roll form (tube). I'd suggest going to a carpet store to find a cardboard tube for the purpose.

Yeah, these two backdrops are 10x10 and that's pretty damn big to lay out anywhere. Even the floor in my studio, I went up and looked at the backdrop with the Christmas Tree after it's been hanging up since early last week, already the wrinkles are disappearing.

Pull taut or hang vertically, and gently use a heat gun (maybe a hot hair dryer) to work out the worst creases.

Test on an inconspicuous corner first, just to make sure.

I've used this method before to get wrinkles out of vinyl clothing.

I would be in the camp suggesting a warm hairdryer while it is hanging. As said a roll tube from a carpet will be perfect for rolling and storing it. They come in different sizes, so you should hopefully be able to find one that is around 4" in diameter to roll it on, and then a larger one to slide it all into for protection while storing it. Find a small shop, that sells cut lengths direct to the customer. They will probably be more than happy for to take what you need. After all they are probably paying through the nose for disposal of them. I know here in the UK the manufacturers will sometimes pick the old tubes up when they do a delivery, it's part of our laws on recycling, so you may need to go just before a delivery is due. Just storing the things can be a problem for a lot of places. A friend of mine has a carpet shop.

Alan