5 Tips For Hanging Your Backdrop Without a Stand

You’ve invested in a custom, branded backdrop for a big event, arrive, and realize you have no way to set it up. You have an important video meeting, and the only place to take it is in your cluttered bedroom. You want to set up a photo booth at a party, but the space won’t fit a standing structure. If you find yourself with a hanging backdrop and no stand available, don’t panic; instead, check out these helpful tips, and you’ll be sure to discover a solution.

Most backdrops will certainly look their best hanging on a dedicated backdrop stand, but there are still ways to hang them in a pinch.

Alternative Backdrop Hanging Solutions

1. Curtain Rod

Perhaps the most effective way to hang a backdrop without a stand is on a curtain rod. Use an existing curtain rod in your room, or pick one up on the cheap at the nearest department store. You can then either drape the backdrop over it or try using shower curtain clips. The curtain rod method should give you a nice smooth background.

If no curtain rod is available, a long, rigid pipe will do. You can pick up the right length of PVC pipe at your local hardware store. If your backdrop material is very lightweight, it may not lay completely straight. Keep this in mind, and consider weighing down the end.

2. DIY Frame

While building a frame for your backdrop will take more effort, time, and money, it will create the most professional and clean look. If the entirety of your backdrop and hanging structure will be seen, this might be your best option.

To build a backdrop frame, you’ll need four pieces of wood and glue or nails to put them together in a rectangle or square. ¼ inch plywood will work the best and be nice and lightweight. If you do not have tools to cut the wood to size, give your hardware store the desired frame dimensions, and ask if they could cut it for you.

Once your wood frame is built, stretch the backdrop tightly over it so there are no bumps or creases, and staple it to the wood in the back. Now you can hang the backdrop on your wall just like a picture frame or painting. Put eye hooks or metal wire on the back of the frame, and attach screws or hooks onto the wall.

3. Pins

Simplest solution? Pin your backdrop to the wall! This method is very quick and inexpensive, but depending on the situation, it may not be the best or most professional option. Pinning your backdrop will also only work if you’re working with a very lightweight material, such as paper, thin fabric, or plastic.

You may find that pins or tacks put small tears in the material and will certainly leave holes in your wall. Pinning does not give the smoothest finish on your backdrop, either. Your backdrop may sag or wrinkle. If you need your backdrop up on a wall fast, however, it will certainly work.

4. Staples

A more secure wall attachment solution than push pins or tacks is staples. You’re going to want to upholster the backdrop up onto the wall for the smoothest results. If your backdrop does not need to be moved from the wall, this can be a clean and more permanent solution. If your backdrop fabric is thin, consider adding fabric batting behind it for a real upholstered look.

Before attempting this method, know that stapling through your backdrop will damage both the backdrop and your wall if you need to take it down. If you want an interesting accent wall to be the backdrop for video calls or photographs, though, this is an inexpensive and relatively quick option.

If the staples are put in correctly, your backdrop will be flat and smooth and will give a professional appearance. If you don’t wish to use staples, liquid starch is another option that will work, like installing wallpaper.

5. Tape or Adhesive Hanging Strips

Just like putting up posters in your childhood bedroom, tape can be used to put up your backdrop. If you use painter's tape, you can even get away with little to no damage to the wall, unlike pins or staples. This method is very cheap and easy; anyone can manage it, but it will not give you a very professional appearance. You may see taped edges and corners or rolled tape or adhesive strips that show through.

While some of these methods may give a more professional appearance than others, any of these solutions will work if you’re lacking a backdrop stand. Since backdrops come in various materials, including different fabrics, paper, and plastic, certainly consider the material before choosing a hanging method.

When investing in a professional wholesale backdrop, purchasing a backdrop stand as well will be your best bet, but if your backdrop is left floating in the wind with no stand in sight, there are easy fixes to be found.