Custom-Shaped Tension Media Walls

Fabric wants to pull in a straight line between two points, so it is happiest on smooth outlines: arcs, circles, waves, domes and generous points. That is why arch, crescent moon and wave forms work so well. Problems appear at very sharp internal angles, narrow necks and deep concave notches, where the fabric tries to bridge across the gap instead of following the frame, leaving a puckered edge or pulling the frame out of true. Tight internal corners are usually softened with a small radius for exactly this reason.

The frame is formed to follow the profile you have approved, and the fabric skin is cut to a template of that same profile, slightly undersized so it stretches into place. Everything depends on those two parts agreeing, which is why the process runs mockup first, template second and print last. It is also why a shape cannot sensibly be changed after production has started: the skin belongs to that one frame.

Often, yes. A crescent moon, a crown or a tall cone carries much of its mass high up or away from the centre line, so it is far less stable than a rectangular wall of the same size. Weighted feet, a wider base or additional support legs are normal rather than an admission of weakness. Check the floor is level, keep the shape away from doorways and air handling outlets where indoor draughts are strongest, and never rely on it leaning against something.

Size them for the distance they will be read from, then check the stroke weight. Thin, elegant typefaces do not translate well into tensioned fabric, because narrow sections have too little surface for the skin to pull against and the letter looks soft. Bold, geometric letterforms hold their shape properly. Think about spacing and stability too: a run of separate letters spelling a long word needs planning so each character stands securely on its own base rather than propping up its neighbours.

Very much so. The Cloud Shaped Backdrop Kit, Sun Design Event Backdrop, Crescent Moon Shaped Backdrop and Spring Stand Fabric Backdrop are all built for event and photo use, where an unusual silhouette is the whole point. The economics work in your favour over time, because the frame is the expensive, durable component and the printed skin is comparatively cheap. Recover the same frame for a new occasion rather than buying a whole new structure.

Yes, and it is one of the more common requests. Send a sketch or a logo outline along with the height and width you have to work within and a note on where it will stand, and we will tell you honestly what can be tensioned cleanly and what will need adjusting. You get a free 2D mockup before committing, which is the point at which awkward internal angles or stability issues get resolved. Email support@backdropsource.co.uk or call +44 1628 904 188.

On a shaped wall the outline is the design, so how the edge is finished matters more than on a rectangular backdrop. The fabric wraps the tube around the profile, meaning the print has to carry over that curved edge or you get a pale rim outlining the whole shape. Decide early whether the reverse will be seen, because a shaped wall standing in open floor is viewed from every side, and an unprinted back on a bold silhouette is far more noticeable than it would be on a straight wall.

It must be built on the template we supply for your specific shape, not on a rectangle that gets cut down afterwards. Extend the background well past the cut line all the way round, so the wrap over the frame is covered on every curve. Keep logos, faces and text comfortably inside the outline and away from points, narrow sections and tight curves, where the eye reads any distortion immediately. Supply vector artwork where you can, and our team will check the file against the die-line free of charge before it goes to print.