The Satin Backdrop: Everything You Need To Know

Satin is a weave - commonly known as the Satin weave. This weave gives the fabric its smooth and shiny texture (along with the materials used). The weave also allows the fabric to be stretched.

Satins are made from both natural and synthetic fibers, such as silk, polyester, or nylon. It's often used in clothing, tablecloths, and photography backdrops.

Take pictures of anything - cars driving down the street or flowers blooming in your garden are both good subjects to shoot. Basically, anything that interests you.  The point is to start and then stay consistent.

Satin backdrop falls under the 'chic inspired backdrops' list. If you're looking for fashion/wedding/chic/glam - you're looking at the right backdrop curtains!

The surface is reflective and giving off a specular light - it's a perfect glam photography backdrop.

If you're thinking about building photo booths (or take photos inside of photo booths) - this is usually the type of backdrop within them.

The satin material should be stored in a place where it won't contact dust particles or sunlight. Doing this will help it last.

Don't iron the satin! The heat from an iron can warp the fabric and cause permanent damage. Instead, you're just going to want to hand-wash your satin fabrics using a delicate detergent and cool water right away. But if you would like to remove wrinkles from your satin curtains -letting them hang is your best bet. Depending on severity - this could take 24 hours to more than a few days. It all depends on how it was stored and for how long.

It's best to store satin fabrics in either furniture designed for displaying fabric or a storage bag with the zipper closed--not an unsealed plastic bag. Doing this will protect it from dust, dirt, and light exposure, which can cause fading over time and damage the satin material itself. Better than a bag - a sealed bin/tote is better. You're able to neatly (and loosely) fold it and store it away.

Treat your satin fabric as you would any other delicate material.

It's important to take care of satins to maintain their quality and appearance, not to mention to make them last longer.

Think of satin-like curtains because that's basically what it is!

You'll hang it much the same but with a backdrop stand. If you're interested in a double-layered backdrop (where one is a layer on top of another, seen often at weddings) - you'll want to mount/hand it from a wall and have the second layer hand from the first.

You can pin/magnet/hang from the wall if you decide not to have a backdrop stand.

Straightforward yet beautiful material. Much easier than something like Canvas or Muslin.

• Inexpensive compared to other materials (Muslin and Canvas)
• Able to achieve bright/fashion/chic/glam photos with ease
• Able to build a beautiful backdrop (for a wedding party, for instance)
• Easy to store, move, and hang.

• Very shiny. Photographers may have a hard time balancing flash between the backdrop and the subject.
• Very delicate. Think of sheer fabric like a wedding vale. Of course, it's a little thicker and denser than that - but snags just as easy.
• Machine wash and iron are not recommended. Air dry only.

I leave this photo in nearly every backdrop post I make - it's a visual representation of different sized backdrops compared to the size and number of subjects in the frame. It's a convenient picture to have! I hope it helps!

I'm not saying this is the 'end-all-be-all of satin backdrops. Honestly, your wedding planner/coordinator would have much more experience with satin than I do.

I use it on occasion - mainly at birthday parties and events.

But the only one I've had great luck with so far (and I've tried quite a few, esp the cheap ones on amazon) - is Luna Wedding and Event Supplies. Phenomenal quality satin backdrops and equally as good customer service.

They're based out of Australia - but I received two backdrops from them (separate orders) - and they arrived in less than two weeks with zero issues whatsoever.

Not too bad, right? It shouldn't be! Satin is a straightforward material to both handle and cares for.

Hopefully, this article has helped you to clear up any confusion about satin fabric. If it hasn't been answered in the post itself, feel free to comment below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible! You can also check out our article, 'What Makes a Good Photography Backdrop: The Ultimate Guide for more information about other fabrics and materials. Again, we hope that this was helpful and enjoyable!

Until next time, be safe, and keep creating!