Blockout
- Opaque
- Long seasons
A woven polyester with a blockout coating, so nothing behind the cloth reads through under a strong wash. Deep colour, and the body to hang flat.
The whole scene on one cloth
Printed stage backdrops, made to measure
A printed backdrop is your artwork at full stage scale on a flame retardant cloth, cut to the stage and finished ready to rig. Three bases cover the work: blockout, lightweight and semi-transparent.
Printed banners hung between swags
The Drape Selector
Spec your drape
before you call.
Answer five quick questions. The Drape Selector matches fabric, fullness and opening style to your space, then turns it into a spec ready to send to the makers.
- Five questions
- No email gate
- Quote-ready spec
01What is the job?
House curtain
Masking legs
Cyclorama
02Which fabric?
VelvetIFR
Wool sergeIFR
MoltonNDFR
03How full should it hang?
Flat
75%
100%
04How does it open?
Traveller
Guillotine
Tableau
05What size?
FabricWool serge
FR classIFR
Size12.0 x 7.0 m
SpecReady →
Step 1 of 5 · The job
On the road
Folds for the truck. Hangs flat at the next venue.
The lightweight base rolls or folds for transport without creasing, then hangs flat under its own weight in the next venue, the same day.
Specs at a glance
Printed backdrop specs
3bases
Blockout, lightweight, semi-transparent
2 to4weeks
Typical, from approved artwork
3finishes
Tie-on, webbing or pocket
| Base | Light | Fire retardancy | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blockout | Opaque. Stops light bleed from behind | Flame retarded to AS 1530 standards | Permanent installs, long-run seasons |
| Lightweight | Low light through | Flame retarded to AS 1530 standards | Touring and events |
| Semi-transparent | Reads as the print front-lit, shows what is behind when back-lit | Flame retarded to AS 1530 standards | Layered reveals |
- Every printed backdrop comes with its treatment certificate. How fire treatment works →
- We make the cloth. Scene changes that run on cue are engineered by Theatre Safe Australia. Automation and control at TSA →
Bases
Which base for which scene
Lightweight
- Touring
- Events
Built for the road. It takes the same print with a touch less saturation, and we allow for that in the artwork.
Semi-transparent
- Reveals
- Hangs like a voile
A fine polyester gauze carrying a print and a reveal in one drop. Front lit it reads as the print; back lit, it shows what sits behind it, switched on a lighting cue.
Made to measure
From file to finished drop
Send the opening, the drop and the artwork, or the idea. Our design support team can build the art with you.
Brief
Opening, drop and the scene. Finished art or a concept.
Proof
Files checked and proofed before anything is printed.
Print
Artwork to cloth at full stage scale, on the base you chose.
Finish
Seamed in low-detail areas, then tie-on, webbing or pocket.
Ship or install
Shipped Australia wide with its certificate, or hung by our installers.
In use
Galas, festivals and stages
A printed surround on an arena stage 
Navy and gold, before hemming 
A pop art cloth in a truss frame 
A printed banner on an outdoor stage
Questions
Asked before every backdrop order
What is a printed backdrop?
A full-stage scenic cloth, printed to your artwork on a flame retardant base, cut to the stage and finished ready to rig. It gives a production a whole scene without a built set.
Can you print our own artwork?
Yes. Send your files and we check and proof them before anything is printed. If you have a concept rather than finished art, our design and production support team can build the artwork with you.
Are printed backdrops flame retardant?
Yes. Printed backdrops are flame retarded to AS 1530 standards and come with a treatment certificate. If a drop has been in service for years, our fire treatment service can re-treat it.
How long does a printed backdrop take?
Typically two to four weeks from approved artwork. Tell us your opening date when you send the brief.
Can we fold and reuse a printed backdrop?
The lightweight base is made for it: it rolls or folds for transport and hangs flat again under its own weight. Blockout is made for permanent installs and long-run seasons.