Theatrical backdrops are valuable parts of scenery in musicals, plays, and other performances. Because they are so big and their production requires a lot of time and effort, most theatres and schools rent them, use them during the show, and then return them to the renter, which means that one backdrop was probably part of many shows.
To make them last for a long time, each institution or individual that rents a backdrop should know how to take proper care of it. And one of the steps in backdrop care and maintenance is knowing how to properly fold them.
Is Proper Folding Really That Important?
Yes, knowing how to properly fold a backdrop can ensure that it stays in great condition, despite being used over and over again.
Not knowing how to fold a backdrop can lead to excessive creasing and wrinkles, which can be hard or impossible to remove. It can also lead to unintentional fabric damage because uneven folds usually weaken the material, making it more fragile and easier to tear. Improper folds prevent airflow within the backdrop as well, causing even more damage.
Rough and uneven folding can make the paint in hand-painted backdrops easily crack, resulting in increased discoloration and ruined artwork. A damaged backdrop will not have the same effect on the audience, and it can make you look unprofessional.
Future packing, storing, and unfolding are also taking a hit – a poorly folded backdrop takes more space than a properly folded one, which means that it might not fit into the original packaging. It could also take up more space during storage. If you are stacking one backdrop on top of the other during storage, those closer to the ground will have to carry more weight and probably suffer more damage and heavier creasing. Unfolding heavily creased backdrops can be more challenging because the chance of damaging the backdrop during the process is increased.
All of this can significantly shorten the backdrop’s lifespan. Not to mention the cost of repairs.
So, to keep rented backdrops safe and ensure their longevity, we prepared a tutorial on how to properly fold a backdrop.
How to Fold a Theatrical Backdrop?
Folding a backdrop is actually quite easy. All you need to do is follow these steps, and you will not have to worry about damaging it.
- First, on a clean, dry surface, lay out your rented backdrop, face up. Begin at the edge of the backdrop. Two people stationed on either side.
- Then, grabbing a two-foot wide length of drop, each person on each side will start folding each of their sections in half, kinda like one of those accordion fans. See that two-foot-wide unfolded section? That is to fold over the drop, to prevent any damage while in transit.
- Once you’ve created that accordion fan full effect, starting from the side without ties and grommets, begin rolling up the backdrop. As you roll, you might want to flatten out some of that puffiness. It will help make the roll more compact so it will fit in the box.
Pack It Up!
Once the rented backdrop is folded and packed, it is time to tie it up so it will not unravel during shipping. You can tie the backdrop using the original strings that will come with the backdrop.
Once tied, the backdrop is ready to be put back into the plastic and the box. Do it carefully, so you do not accidentally cause creasing.
The backdrop is almost ready to be sent back. You just need to remove the old label and fix the preprinted return label located in the plastic packet that came inside your box. Once that is done, the backdrop is ready to be shipped back to one of our storage facilities.
And please do not forget to call FedEx at least 24 hours in advance, or drop off at the FedEx location before the last pickup.
Until next time.
