Velour- A Consideration for a Backdrop?

There seems to a never ending list of possibilities for photography backdrops with seamless paper and muslin historically being the most common. Seamless paper certainly has the advantages of many colors as well as the absence of folds, wrinkles, and creases when handled properly. Of course storage and transport of large rolls can be very problematic. Various fabrics including muslin although also appearing in many colors and very easy to transport can be very difficult to remove wrinkles. Some materials may not be durable, washable, or even have a glossy and reflective surface.

This brings us to the possibility of Velour. Velour is a knitted fabric made from cotton and polyester that resembles Velvet. It stretches much more than velvet, has a fine soft texture to it, hangs seamlessly, and is less shiny than velvet. Another plus is that it much less expensive than velvet. It is also machine washable with a little care.

Practically speaking, one can fold this up (or even ball it up) in your bag, pull it out and is ready to drape or hang without noticeable wrinkles.  The fine plush fabric has a rich look and feel to it and can be lit effectively without concern of glare or the need to back it with another fabric. It is a very durable fabric that will last for years if not abused.

One may see variations of Velour such as Velveteen or Duvetyne used in theaters as curtains or backdrops for some of the reasons listed above. Velour can be significantly less expensive that some other backdrop materials and is very practical. Take a look at your local fabric store and you may find that it is just what you have been looking for!