When you are putting a theatrical show together it can take weeks for the cast to learn their parts. While this may be the longest part of preparing for a new show, getting the scenery ready can take almost as long and be one of the major expenses of getting everything ready. Typically the average play will require several set changes along with a few different scenic backdrops. For many years the only way to create a backdrop was to hire a crew to come to the theatre and paint the scene onto a canvas by hand. Today however there are much easier ways to create scenic backdrops that not save time but can save money, reducing the overall cost of each backdrop and allowing the producer to concentrate his finances elsewhere. While we may be watching the actors as they perform on the stage if the scenery behind them is not up to par then our attention may be drawn away from the play by the poor quality images we are presented with. Instead of painting the scenic backdrops directly onto the canvas by hand there is a method by which the image is solvent printed using specific inks onto a fabric in much the same way as silk-screening is done.

The problem with this is that the inks tend to stay on the surface of the fabric in the same manner as a silk-screened image does. This means that it never becomes a part of the fabric and will crack and chip when the fabric is folded. In some cases the colors can tend to run together making the image appear out of focus which is definitely not what you want for your backdrop. There is however a much more successful method of creating scenic backdrops available today known as dye sublimation. With this method the inks are applied to the fabric and then baked at 400° Fahrenheit in a process known a heat calendaring which makes the inks turn into a gas and become a part of the fabric. This makes the image far more durable as you will be able to wash and iron your backdrop or dry clean them as needed.

You can also fold them up without fear of damaging the images for use in another play. One more advantage to using scenic backdrops made with this process is time. When you are putting on a play you may not always have the time to wait months for your backdrops to be painted. With this method of creating your backdrops you can cut your wait time from months to as little as two weeks which many project managers are finding can have a major affect on their production budgets. At EACGS you will find a team of experts in creating scenic backdrops for all types of theatrical productions. They feature a 16 foot wide dye sublimation printing system that is the only one in the US and is capable of producing crystal clear, full color backdrops for your every need. If you need new backdrops for your next production talk to one of their experts who can provide you with samples and a price quote that will not kill your budget.