To figure out which backdrop is right for you, here are some things to think about:
- How much budget do you have to work with?
- How often do you want to update your backdrop?
- How much time do you want to spend updating it?
- How often does it need to be torn down and set up again?
- Where will you store your backdrop when it’s not in use?
Once you’ve got answers in mind, it’s time to choose a backdrop!
1. FOAM BOARDS
There are plenty of ways to make these boards stand upright, but here are two methods we like:
- A WOODEN STAND: 3 pieces of wood, some nail or glue, and a bit of paint will get you a simple stand that will keep your foam boards standing upright. Check out the illustration above for a visual — but keep that slot for the boards snug so they don’t tip over! The boards are foam, so they’ll squish into place.
- AN ACCORDION FOLD: Place 3 or more boards next to each other, with a small amount of space between each one so they have room to fold. Use duct tape to bind the boards together and then stand them upright, adjusting the angle of each board until it stands upright on its own.
2. PLYWOOD PANELS
Because these plywood wall panels will be heavy, it’s important that they’re built carefully and securely, and that they’re properly weighted so they don’t tip over on you or a kid. So if you’re new to carpentry, might we suggest asking someone in your congregation who’s more experienced to build these for you?
We’re not exactly carpentry experts either, so we’ll let someone else give you a tutorial on how to build these so you can see what you’re in for. Here are a bunch of YouTube tutorial videos on how to make these. They’re often called theater flats or stage flats, since they’re often used in productions.
3. CARDBOARD BOXES
4. VINYL BANNERS
Because of the cost, you probably don’t want to print vinyl banners for every teaching series you do, but banners can be a great solution when you need a backdrop that you plan to reuse or leave standing for a long period of time. Simply print your backdrop design on the banners, stretch them out on banner stands, and you’re done! These banners are lightweight, durable, and easy to set up and tear down, so they’re great for portable churches and multipurpose spaces.
5. WIRE FENCING
If you’d prefer a semi-transparent backdrop, rather than something large and solid, wire fencing is a great solution. From it, you can hang lights, banners, and decorative objects, and easily change your look without spending a fortune or tons of time creating something new.
You can purchase pre-made grid units on Amazon, but if you’d like a more custom size you can make your own instead. Your local hardware store should sell a variety of wire or metal fencing in different shapes and thicknesses. While you might be able to find a large framed section of fencing in the size you’d like, it’s more likely you’ll need to build your own frame with two-by-fours and stretch the wire fencing across the frame.
6. WOOD PALLETS
Oh, but if you do plan on stacking these, make sure they’re stacked and mounted securely. Like the plywood wall panels, you don’t want these falling over on anyone.