white vinyl for studio floor?

[pr4photos]

I need a piece of pure white vinyl sheeting to use with my mobile studio as the floor. I already have a white background (muslin) and now want a non crease floor that can be rolled up and carried. Needs to be about 8ft x 8ft but am really struggling to find anywhere that I can get it. Carpet shops sell vinyl flooring that I could use the back of as they are usually white, but they are heavy bits of stuff, and would still cost me about £50. All I want is some reasonably thin stuff like the big rolled photographic vinyl backgrounds are made of.

Any ideas???

[BarryM]

i was looking for the same a few weeks ago for opening my studio, in the end i went with cheap lino and use the underside of it, downside is its a sponge material, although it wipes clean it is starting to mark. My lighting is set up that it is almost white when shooting, and serves me very well, costs me 20 quid for a 3meter by 2 meter and if it lasts 3 months then perfect. Il go get a new bit.

[Hereward]

these guys might be what you want www.viewfinderphotography.co.uk

[Craig Nicholson]

I may have a very good solution to this in a week or two but have to test it properly at Corries place first. If it works out, it's Signmaker PVC vinyl covered with a hard wearing, Matt, clear over laminate. We just need to check it will take studio abuse as expected and as the manufacturer says it will. The laminate is the stuff they use on supermarket floor graphics.

[lostmysnorkel]

I used to use a roll of vinyl on a stand, long enough to use as a backdrop and floor without a seam visible.

It was quite heavy though, but it on ebay for about £40.

Now, I have a big, collapsible backdrop, that has an 'overthrow' kind of thig...black on one side, 'high white' on t'other. Big enough to cover the backrdrop AND the floor AND goes in the washing machine!

Got that on ebay too!!!!

[pr4photos]

Will be very interested to hear how you get on Craig!

[MTAL]

I use a white truck awning (the curtain that goes down the side of a lorry)... it was cheap and works prefectly, really hard wearing and wipe clean!

[pr4photos]

I like that idea a lot. Found some online and its cheap, so sounds good to me!!

[george.monaghan]

I use a white truck awning (the curtain that goes down the side of a lorry)... it was cheap and works prefectly, really hard wearing and wipe clean!

Hi Lesley,

Was it available to buy on the web/mail order - or was it someone in your business that you knew?

Sounds like a great way to overcome the problems.

Have to say I bought mine for the "Barras" in Glasgow at just £3.50 a metre. White on one side and black on the reverse. A bit thin though as it is used as a flooring vinyl.

[pr4photos]

a quick look on the net brings up this

http://www.tarpaflex.co.uk/acatalog/product_shop2_superwhite.htm

[MTAL]

Was it available to buy on the web/mail order - or was it someone in your business that you knew?


Hi George

Yep you guessed it, working in the motorsport industry got me that for not very much at all, so not sure how much it would cost or where to look to get it, but I guess you could google it and see what you can find?

Def recommend it tho!!

[pr4photos]

found a local supplier (MacSalvors) and they are checking price, but it looks like a piece 8ft square will be £20-£25 so I will be getting some

[BarryM]

I use a white truck awning (the curtain that goes down the side of a lorry)... it was cheap and works prefectly, really hard wearing and wipe clean!


oh now thats an idea.... visit local lorry park this evening lol

[george.monaghan]

a quick look on the net brings up this

http://www.tarpaflex.co.uk/acatalog/product_shop2_superwhite.htm

Hi,

Thought it would be worth a try in super white as it was so cheap. Will let you know how it looks and photographs later.

Less than £30 - a real bargain. :ok:

[BarryM]

would be keen on feedback from this, the small pic on the item looks very creased and wrinkly.

would be ideal if it works though.

[george.monaghan]

Hi Barry,

It arrived flat packed folded and straight out of the packet and hung. Super white tarpaulin. 1 light to front and 2 to the background. I got the 4.5 x 6.00 but this is too big for my use and I have doubled it over in the pictures.

I have left the 3rd picture space between left arm and body to show the amount of creases on the vinyl which would be easily fixed in PS. Head shots required no dodging and sitting pic minimal to remove 2 seen creases.

At £11.58 + VAT this must be a bargain. Shiny white surface really "burns out" with no effort.

I have now "rolled" up the tarpaulin and hopefully that should remove the creases naturally. Now going to buy the "camo" version, green on other side.

Just need a few "S" metal hooks to hang as it has plenty of eyelets to do this.

Asked one of the "old boys" to stand then sit for the pictures - where are all these glamour models when you need them? ***sarcasm3**

Chris, how did you get on with your material?

[BarryM]

Hi mate,

looks great, i just ordered white vinyl today from Glasgow, Bailiston (sp). 2.5 meters width, any length, ive asked for 16 feet, and price including vat is 31 pound , its a mat finish, and its delivered free to my studio COD. When im at the studio il post address. Very cheap i thought and recommended by a fellow tog. TonyBeal ltd i think it was.

[george.monaghan]

Hi mate,

looks great, i just ordered white vinyl today from Glasgow, Bailiston (sp). 2.5 meters width, any length, ive asked for 16 feet, and price including vat is 31 pound , its a mat finish, and its delivered free to my studio COD. When im at the studio il post address. Very cheap i thought and recommended by a fellow tog. TonyBeal ltd i think it was.

Hi Barry,

The real problem is the flooring part the subject is standing on. Really need a surface that will wipe clean and not wrinkle. Prefer white on one side and a mat black on the other. A white shiny surface would be great!

Let me know how you get on with it.

[BarryM]

update, had 7 kiddys all with shoes, and adults in for a shoot, it got minging, with black scuff marks, got a pack of flash wipes and started to clean it, all the dust stains and shoe marks came off no problem, the black scuff marks took a bit more persuasion but did come off eventally, there is a tiny tiny bit of grime look in area but i reckon a good brush and some soapy water would clean it.

It doesnt wrinkle at all, its very plyable at around 5 mm thick but strong as hell. Highly recommended and at only 30 quid, if it lasts a few months, its cheap to get more.

[Craig Nicholson]

Use white spirit to clean the stubborn bits mate.

[BarryM]

ah didnt think of that, will get a bottle tomorrow and do some tests.

[george.monaghan]

Hi Baz,

What is the address of the firm? :help:

[Stewcp]

Hi mate,

looks great, i just ordered white vinyl today from Glasgow, Bailiston (sp). 2.5 meters width, any length, ive asked for 16 feet, and price including vat is 31 pound , its a mat finish, and its delivered free to my studio COD. When im at the studio il post address. Very cheap i thought and recommended by a fellow tog. TonyBeal ltd i think it was.

Hi Barry,

I've been looking into different materials myself and wonder what product you bought... I'm guessing this is the company you bought it from: http://www.tonybeal.com/

Can you remember the product name as they sell various products!!!

Cheers,
Stew

[BarryM]

Hi mate, im sure ive posted the link elsewhere, but your right, it was tony beal, im sure of the top of my head it was 19 0z vinyl matt white pvc, Textured on one side matt on other side.

Best idea is to give im sure its emma, at tony beal a call, say to her that a few togs have been buying some curtain for backdrops and gauranteed she will point u in the right direction.

[Stewcp]

Hi mate, im sure ive posted the link elsewhere, but your right, it was tony beal, im sure of the top of my head it was 19 0z vinyl matt white pvc, Textured on one side matt on other side.

Best idea is to give im sure its emma, at tony beal a call, say to her that a few togs have been buying some curtain for backdrops and gauranteed she will point u in the right direction.

Nice one... I'm not sure if it was emma I spoke to, but the nice lady at the other end straight away mentioned the matt finish as others have bought and at £6 per meter, you can't go wrong!!!

So, hopefully Tuesday/Wednesday I should have a nice 2.5mtr x 5mtr roll turn up on my door step... and thats a bit better than paying £199 for a roll from Lastolite :)

[.Ray]

How heavy is the stuff? Is it reasonably transportable?

[Keltic Ice Man]

I'm very interested in this idea. Did it work out for you?

Is is heavy?

Has it lasted a few shoots?

I currently use cloth but am thinking of paper or this, which way should i go?

Thanks

Allan

[Stemmy]

Ive been using it for a month now - just the same as when i bought it - its brilliant stuff.

[Stewcp]

I totally agree... its far better than cloth and as good as paper... but where as paper gets dirty and you slowly use up the roll, the PVC just wipes clean!!!

[BarryM]

yes, everything studio related so far is done with this, i have some black scuff marks on it, but told acetate gets it off so no drama, and my studio gets very dusty with the cleaners using a buffer up the isles, it puts it all in here, but a few hand wipes later and sorted.

[strobejunkie]

Hi all,

My very first post here, came across this thread looking for vinyl backdrops.
I think I'm gonna have a go at what BarryM is using.


A quick question, Is it very heavy? I'm just planning to hang it with maybe a curtain pole in my spare room.

Cheers

[BarryM]

its not heavy at all mate, the stuff is around 3-5 mm thick, very very flexible. If your hanging it up and going to roll it up and down, make SURE you fix it to the tubing. I didnt do this, so when i went to unravel it down the wall onto floor it was like a laurel and hardy moment, it just kept falling till it all fell off.

[strobejunkie]

Hi Barry
Thank s for the quick answer. I got mine delivered today. Looks like its gonna last a long long time.

Which side do I use? The textured side or the smooth side?:stupid:

I thought of just hanging it on the wall but it looks it needs better support.
Im thinking of how to hang it:coffee: any idea?

Thank you very much.

[BarryM]

Hi mate, no problems, i use the smooth side, it gets less dirty and easier to wipe down.

[strobejunkie]

Hi mate, no problems, i use the smooth side, it gets less dirty and easier to wipe down.


Cheers!:ok:

[djlewi]

Hi Barry,

It arrived flat packed folded and straight out of the packet and hung. Super white tarpaulin. 1 light to front and 2 to the background. I got the 4.5 x 6.00 but this is too big for my use and I have doubled it over in the pictures.

I have left the 3rd picture space between left arm and body to show the amount of creases on the vinyl which would be easily fixed in PS. Head shots required no dodging and sitting pic minimal to remove 2 seen creases.

At £11.58 + VAT this must be a bargain. Shiny white surface really "burns out" with no effort.

I have now "rolled" up the tarpaulin and hopefully that should remove the creases naturally. Now going to buy the "camo" version, green on other side.

Just need a few "S" metal hooks to hang as it has plenty of eyelets to do this.

Asked one of the "old boys" to stand then sit for the pictures - where are all these glamour models when you need them? ***sarcasm3**

Chris, how did you get on with your material?


Hi guys,

I've just joined the site after searching the net for some non-reflective white vinyl and came across this thread. I just wondered how people were getting on with this backdrop as I noticed on George's third picture you could see it. Have you photoshoped the background?

cheers

Lewi

[BarryM]

ive shot over 30 portraits now on it, never a problem, get lighting right and its white, it cleans well at worst i have to take off some dust each morning, but we have over 1000 people a day possibly passing through so dust gets blown into my unit, some stubborn footmarks are taken off with floor wipes.

[djlewi]

ive shot over 30 portraits now on it, never a problem, get lighting right and its white, it cleans well at worst i have to take off some dust each morning, but we have over 1000 people a day possibly passing through so dust gets blown into my unit, some stubborn footmarks are taken off with floor wipes.

Will i be able to achieve these results with 2 lights? One on background and one on subject? I was just concerned that i'd have to photoshop background as George's 3rd pic looked like there were wrinkles under the man's arm.

[BarryM]

If you set your light up to shine directly of backdrop 2 stops higher than ur front keylight then yes, but bear in mind the one light will create a hotspot and the light intensity will tale alway getting darker and darker so group shots etc could be a bit more difficult in obtaining perfect white.

[Laurence]

This guy Zack Arias (http://www.zarias.com/?p=71) has a great tutorial & info on setting up & using a white background. He uses "tile board" as a reflective floor in 4'x8' sheets ... not too good for portable use but they do look good!

[BarryM]

that is one superb comprehensive tutorial for white backgrounds that ive seen on the net. Thanks for sharing mate.


Baz