Studio Backgrounds / Backdrop Supports Explained
With so many different Backgrounds / Backdrops, so many different requirements and so many different products available in the current market it can be confusing trying to work out what goes with what.
Studio Background / Backdrop supports come in two main varieties - Fixed and Portable.
| FIXED | Wall |
|
As the name implies this supports Paper and Vinyl
Rolls vertically to a wall. Not suitable for curtains as they will
crinkle in the middle. They can be electric remote controlled,
chain driven or crank handle driven. Manufacturers include Interfit, KARLite & Manfrotto. The components and variations will be covered in more detail further down in this document or "click" here. |
| Celing |
 |
In this case, background / Backdrop Paper / Vinyl
Rolls are supported from the ceiling. They can be electric remote
controlled or crank handle driven. Manufacturers include Colorama & KARLite. They are covered in more detail further down in this document or "click" here. |
|
| Semi-Fixed |
 |
This Background/backdrop Support System is based
around
Autopoles (vertical Studio Stands that are "squeezed" between the
ceiling and the floor) and can be modified to accept a
Paper
Roll Support System (shown) or to accommodate a
Background Support Cross Pole for Paper or Curtains. They are covered in more detail further down in this document or "click" here |
|
| PORTABLE |
 |
Portable Background Supports for Studio Backgrounds /
Backdrops come in four main sizes (upto 2.6m wide, Up to 3m wide, up to
4m wide and up to 6m wide - medium/standard/wide and super wide, ) with
various heights. They are suitable for supporting
Paper/Vinyl/canvas Rolls as well as curtians. The components and variations will be covered in more detail further down in this document or "click" here. |
|
We will now look at each variation of a Studio Background / Backdrop Support in more detail and explore the components of each support and where possible, when these components can be purchased separately to complement your existing equipment or to create a totally bespoke Background / Backdrop Support.
| Wall Mounted Background/backdrop Supports |
 |
Wall mounted Background / Backdrop supports are only
used for the support of Background/Backdrop Paper, Canvas & Vinyl Rolls.
Muslin curtains cannot be used as they tend to "crinkle" in the middle.
They can be manual chain driven or remotely controlled electrically
driven. Available from Manufacturers like KARLite & Manfrotto, the
system comprises:
There are various accessories available for the system from different coloured chains (to help identification) to replacement weight (chain stretchers) to Metal chains (for use with Heavy loads such as Vinyl Background/Backdrop Rolls). |
||||||||||||
|
Ceiling Mounted Background/Backdrop Supports |
 |
The Colorama Rolleasy is an exceptionally robust,
hassle free professional studio background support system. It will fully
support a 3.55m (12ft) wide roll without the roll bowing over time. The
system uses a detachable crank to smoothly raise and lower each
background which is then automatically locked in position. Suitable for
use with Paper / Canvas & Vinyl Background / Backdrop Rolls, muslin
curtains cannot be used as they tend to "crinkle" in the middle. With
the Colorama Rolleasy there are no obstructions within the shooting
area, no chains or free swinging parts. • Ceiling brackets hold up to four 3.55m (12ft) rolls and seven 2.72m (9ft) rolls • Wall brackets hold up to three 3.55m (12ft) rolls and five 2.72m (9ft) rolls • Can support a combination of 2.72m (9ft) and 3.55m (12ft) rolls on one system • The system is expandable as supplementary units can be installed at any time to increase the number of rollers • Available as complete kits or as separate components to create a customised system • Rolleasy kits include the appropriate number of the invaluable Coloredge devices |
||||||||||||
|
Semi Fixed Background/Backdrop Supports |
|
Generally, Semi Fixed Background / Backdrop Supports
consist of a pair of semi-permanent fitting Autopoles that extend
between the Floor & Ceiling, to these are then added various accessories
that allow either a Background/Backdrop Roll to be suspended or a cross
pole for the support of a Studio Background / Backdrop curtain.
|
||||||||||||
|
Portable Background/Backdrop Supports |
|
This is the area with the most amount of variation in
terms of products, features and sizes. These Background / Backdrop supports generally come in 4 widths - up to 2.6m, up to 3m, up to 4m and up to 6m. This is to accommodate the different widths of Background / Backdrops available with the stands becoming stronger and sturdier the wider they become, cost increasing as they get larger. The next variation is the cross pole - telescopic or sectional. The cheaper Background Support Cross Poles tend to be made from 3 or 4 sections that are then bolted together (limiting the choice of widths available to use - 1/2 & full pole size) each time the support is needed for use. Telescopic, as the name implies, can be easily extended to their full length or shorter (if space is limited) in one easy manoeuvre. Further variations then include Paper Brakes (that stop paper & vinyl rolls unrolling) to chain controls to allow easy vertical placement of the paper rolls. |
||||||||||||
|
Bespoke Background/Background Supports |
 |
Bespoke Background / Backdrop Supports can be made from choosing components mentioned above and including them with other standard Studio products. For example, a Ceiling Stand or wall plate can be combined with a cross pole to create a simple space saving background support - there are many other variations that can be built in this manner. | ||||||||||||
| Fixed Wall/Celing Background/Backdrop Support |
Semi Fixed Background/Backdrop Support |
Portable Background/Backdrop Support |
|
| Paper Rolls |
 |
|
|
| Vinyl Rolls |
|
 |
|
| Canvas Rolls |
|
|
|
| Curtains |
 |
|
|
| Studio Use |
|
|
|
| Event Work |
|
|
|
| Home Setup |
|
|
|
| Portable Use |
|
|
|
