Backdrop fail - not sure what happened

SquarePeg · Feb 18, 2019

I had a roll of seamless paper that I had rolled back up and stored in the original shipping carton. It was stored on it's side in my attic for about 6 months. Prior to that it was stored in my unheated garage standing straight up for about 6 months. When I unrolled it to hang it and use it yesterday, there were ripples in it for about the first 20 ft - so the outside of the roll. It was unusable and I had to cut 20 ft off to get to the unwrinkled section. Was it being stored on its side that caused the ripples? There was nothing stored on top of it but I admit that I could have done a tighter job of rolling it back up. Still - it was tight enough to fit back into the original carton.

For future reference, so I don't ruin another one, what is the correct way to store a seamless paper roll?

gk fotografie · Feb 19, 2019

Although it's somewhat dependent on the thickness of the paper/cardboard, 'moisture' is the biggest culprit. Storing paper/cardboard backdrops in unheated spaces and/or changing temperatures is disastrous for the material. In addition, I myself never stored backgrounds vertically or in tubes, normally these backdrops are stored horizontal and at room temperature, so indoors and not in an unheated garage or shed. Storing in a (sealed) tube can even promote moisture formation, so better not do something like that. It's not necessary to roll up backdrops absurdly tight when they are stored horizontal. Don't use elastic bands and don't bind them at the edges.
I've used backdrops for many, many years and never experienced a problem like this.

smoke665 · Feb 19, 2019

Assuming laying flat and moisture from humidity was the culprit. Think I'll follow along on this. I currently store mine verticle in a corner of a spare bedroom, but in the process of building a rack mounted to the wall of the garage to store horizontal.

SquarePeg · Feb 19, 2019

gk fotografie said:
Although it's somewhat dependent on the thickness of the paper/cardboard, 'moisture' is the biggest culprit. Storing paper/cardboard backdrops in unheated spaces and/or changing temperatures is disastrous for the material. In addition, I myself never stored backgrounds vertically or in tubes, normally these backdrops are stored horizontal and at room temperature, so indoors and not in an unheated garage or shed. Storing in a (sealed) tube can even promote moisture formation, so better not do something like that. It's not necessary to roll up backdrops absurdly tight when they are stored horizontal. Don't use elastic bands and don't bind them at the edges.
I've used backdrops for many, many years and never experienced a problem like this.

Thanks gk. I’ll have to figure another option if I should get another of these. Not a ton of storage space here that’s long enough to fit a ten foot long roll. I may be able to put it behind a couch or under a bed...

Braineack · Feb 19, 2019

never store it hanging -- i ruined my roll as the main support rod has sagged a little and let the roll warp a little.

smoke665 · Feb 19, 2019

Braineack said:
never store it hanging -- i ruined my roll as the main support rod has sagged a little and let the roll warp a little.

Were you using a wood dowel or steel?

Braineack · Feb 19, 2019

pcv with a wood dowel inside. steel probably wouldn't have the issue.

Designer · Feb 19, 2019

I have mine standing up in the garage. It's been there for 1-1/2 years without my checking it for damage. That shows you how often I get to set up for portraits.

tirediron · Feb 19, 2019

I make PVC containers for mine; 5' (or 9') of 4" PVC, an end-cap, clean-out and clean-out cap (<$20), a hand-saw and a small container of solvent cement and you're in business. The real beauty is that there's so little air space, humidity is not a problem. Mine live out in my shed outside all year 'round with no issues.

SquarePeg · Feb 19, 2019

Designer said:
I have mine standing up in the garage. It's been there for 1-1/2 years without my checking it for damage. That shows you how often I get to set up for portraits.

Same for me as far as usage. The backdrop was bought by a friend for a specific shoot and she gave it to me afterward. It didn’t get used again until a year later for the same softball team shoot - new season, new uniforms, some new players...