DIY Projection Screen Material FAQ

Yes, the projection screen material we sell is either from Da-Lite or Draper. We do not stock rolls of this material. It will be shipped directly from them to you.

2) What is the lead time for projection screen material?

Da-Lite cut to size projection screen materials take 1-2 biz days for order processing plus shipping from Indiana. Da-Lite cut to size projection screen material WITH borders takes 5 biz days and All Draper cut to size projection screen material take 5-7 biz days for order processing plus shipping time from Indiana

Go to Top

3) What is the difference between supported vinyl and unsupported vinyl?

Supported Vinyl Projection Screen Material: is a vinyl coated textile (typically fiberglass based). Supported vinyl screens typically have a matted surface and they are not as smooth as the unsupported vinyl. All of the supported vinyl projection screens have a black back. Supported vinyl projection screen material is semi rigid and it must not be folded. Supported Vinyl will not stretch and is very durable. Supported vinyl is generally used in retractable projection screens

Unsupported Vinyl Projection Screen Material is generally a raw vinyl without a substrate for support. Unsupported vinyl generally has a very lightly textured surface. Unsupported vinyl must be stretched in all direction when used otherwise ripples or sagging may occur. Unsupported vinyl projection screen material can be loosely folded in most cause but we do NOT recommend it

4) What are the typical applications for unsupported vinyl projection screen?

Unsupported vinyl projection screens are most commonly used in tab tensioned retractable projection screens and in fixed wall projection screen applications primarily for home theaters but also used in other applications where the projection screen is to be permanently mounted.

Go to Top

5) What are the typical applications for supported vinyl projection screen material?

Supported vinyl projection screen material is mostly used in retractable projection screens. It can be used in fixed wall applications but keep in mind it does not stretch so placing the material and eliminating ripples may be a little more challenging than unsupported vinyl. We generally recommend supported vinyl screens for trade show customers or where the material must travel and be stored because this material is very durable. It can be rolled and stuffed into a PVC tube and transported easily without worrying about wrinkles. Once unrolled the material hangs flat with a weighted bar at the bottom or with Velcro strips.

6) How thick are the projection screen materials?

The typical supported and unsupported vinyl projection screens are in the range of 0.011" to .012" thick.

7) Unsupported vs. Supported Vinyl Pros and Cons

Transparency: Supported Vinyl - Not at all transparent. Because these screens were initially intended for hanging in free space they were designed so that light can not penetrate from behind. Unsupported vinyl screens can not tolerate light from the opposite side of projector because they were originally designed to be placed against a wall where light entry is not typically possible but we do have a black backing option that solves this potential problem. See Black Backing below for more on this topic.

Go to Top

Durability: Supported Vinyl is very strong and will not rip or puncture easily. You can directly put grommets, snaps and restaple supported vinyl without much concern. Unsupported vinyl is more delicate it can rip and be punctured so it you have kids that like to write on things this is not the material for you. Unsupported vinyl can still be directly stapled and with a little care a fixed wall projection screen can easily be created

Surface Texture: Supported Vinyl has a prominent surface texture due to its carrier substrate. Unsupported vinyl is generally very finely textured. Many people prefer the surface texture of the unsupported vinyl which is one of the reason the unsupported vinyl is more commonly used in Home theater applications where the viewer is typically closer.

Roll Width: Supported vinyl generally has a roll width of 8' but is available in 16' roll widths but is very expensive at this size. Supported vinyl projection screen sizes that have a height over 8' (assuming this is the smaller side) will have a seam in the material. Unsupported vinyl is now being fabricated in roll widths of 16' so there is generally little need for seaming this material.

Show Thru: Supported Vinyl can be directly applied to a wall or most and other surfaces without the surface roughness of the mounting surface showing through. Unsupported vinyl can not be directly applied to wall or any other surface without worrying about the surface irregularities showing through the material.

8) Don'ts of DIY Projection Screen Fabrication

Unsupported Vinyl - Do not make a painting canvas type frame and leave the underlying frame area as a viewable area. The edge area one might consider using as a viewing surface will be susceptible to show thru of the underlying surface roughness. The edge area of a painting canvas type frame should be covered with a trim frame.

Unsupported Vinyl - Do not face staple the projection screen material to a flat surface. The problem with doing this is that slight ripples or pulls can emanate from the staples and may be visible in the material. This problem may not be noticeable until you put the projected image on the screen. Always try to create an edge for the material to bend over to flatten out any possible ripples.

DO Take a look at our DIY Projection Screen Frame Fabrication Instructions the instructions are free and very thorough.

Go to Top

9) Can I use Supported Vinyl projection screen material for a DIY fixed wall frame?

Yes, supported vinyl can be used for fixed wall applications. You may find that you going to end up with ripples after you get half way done with the stapling of the material to the frame. You can pull the staples and start over without any worry. It can be a little more frustrating and it may work better with 2 people since this material does not stretch. Unsupported vinyl is better in this respect as you can work out and ripples by pulling section a little more without having to pull staples and start over.

10) Hot Topic - What is this Black Backing Option?

The black backing option is for unsupported vinyl screens. This is a separate black vinyl material that is laminated to the back of an unsupported vinyl. The Black Backing increases the thickness of the unsupported vinyl by app. 0.005" so the final thickness of the material is app. 0.016". The advantages of the black backing is that it improves the durability of the product without sacrificing stretchability and it prevents any lighting issues from the opposite side of the material.

11) Hot Topic - Is the Black Backing Option Necessary?

We only recommend the black backing when any one of the following are true:

1) If the smallest side of your screen is 7' or larger (very large screen) we recommend the black backing for extra durability.

2) If you are not mounting the screen against a wall and there is a possibility of light entering from behind.

We still do Not recommend any of the viewing area coming in contact with any surface even if you use the black backing.

Go to Top

12) What is your border option with snaps Velcro or Grommets?

This option is also known as a lace and grommet type frame. A reinforced vinyl strip is wrapped from front to back along the edge of the projection screen material. This does create a frame for the picture but that is not what it really is intended for. The border (binding) is really added as a reinforcement of the edge. Adding grommets, Velcro or snaps are included with the price of this option.

13) When should I use the black sewn in border option with grommets, Velcro or snaps?

The only time we recommend this option is if the screen must be set up and broken down for traveling. If you are making a DIY fixed wall projection screen frame we do not believe it is necessary.

14) Can I use the sewn in borders as an Aesthetic frame for my home theater projection screen?

We do not recommend the use of the sewn in border as an Aesthetic finish to frame in the image because this binding is not going to end up perfectly flat and straight after you apply it to a frame. We are some out there have used it for this purpose it just does not meet our standards for a finished product in a home theater. It is however a very good option for trade show projection screens

Go to Top

15) I have seen others advertising a black border. Is this the same as your advertised border?

Most of the time it is not be careful if the pricing is dramatically different they are probably offering a painted on border.

16) When should I use a painted on border?

We think you should never order a cut to size piece of projection screen material with a painted on border because alignment will be terribly difficult. The painted border will stretch and will not be straight after you apply the material to a frame. If you really want to have the black painted border we recommend painting it on the material after you build your projection screen. All you have to is mask off the screen with tape and paper and paint away.

17) You offer advise and or custom products?

Absolutely, contact us with you questions and yes if you want a triangle or round projection screen it can be created. The cost is typically based on our advertised per sqft cost. If you design is complex we would need a drawing to submit to Da-Lite.

Go to Top

18) Why isn't the material returnable?

We do offer swatches so if you are not sure what product is right for you just ask and we will provide swatches. The projection screen is not returnable because we cut these to any size required by the customer and the sizing varies a lot. We have too much loss and scrap if we reconstituted projection screen material.

19) Can I apply the framing fabric directly to the projection screen material?

Yes you can but we do not recommend it. Applying the material so you have a nice aligned straight end will be very difficult. Also, the framing fabric is stocked by us and not by Da-Lite and Draper. We do not have the cutting tables that Da-Lite and Draper have so we can not provide the perfectly straight edge they can. The intended use of this material is to wrap it around a frame that is straight.

20) What is the finished edge of the projection screen material like?

Both Da-Lite and Draper have professional cutting tables and the finished edges are straight.

Go to Top

21) Do you add any material to the size I ordered?

Projection screen material cut to size is supplied at the sizes the customer requests +/- 0.25" We do not add any material to allow for mounting.

22) How much extra material recommend adding over the viewable size of my screen?

We recommend adding a total of 4" in both directions to allow for mounting the material. The amount necessary is a function of your design the 4" is a minimum recommendation.