Photo Studio Basics: How to Set Up a Paper Backdrop Bar

In this guide we are going to cover how to hang a paper backdrop on a backdrop bar. These bar’s are great if you don’t feel confident getting up on a ladder to use something like our wall mounted system.

Step 1: Put the Bar onto the Light Stands

To start, grab the backdrop bar and two light stands. Spread the light stands out about 3 metres and extend the bar so that it reaches between the stands. The bar is telescopic and has three sections. You can loosen these sections by turning the bar anticlockwise, and rotating it clockwise to tighten them once they are extended. This is a good point to also pop some shot bags on the light stands to keep everything stable. Loosely screw in one end, tight enough to secure it but still loose enough to be able to swivel the bar from this point. Unscrew the screw completely from the other end, otherwise you won’t be able to get the paper roll over the bar.

Step 2: Slide the Paper Roll onto the Bar

Grab the backdrop you want and slide the roll over the bar so that it unravels from underneath. This can be done on your own, but it is definitely easier with two people. Place the bar on top of the light stand again and finally tighten the screws on both ends. 

Step 3: Unroll the Paper

Get an A-Clamp and undo the masking tape. While holding the roll securely, start to unravel the paper. Have a second person pull the backdrop while the first person controls the rate at which it unravels. You want to pull out the amount of paper you need, which will depend on whether you are just having your subject stand in front of it or placing it along the floor. If using it solely as a background, around 3 metres will be fine, and if you are planning to stand on it aim for around 6-7 metres. Once you’ve achieved the desired length, slowly roll it back along the floor - but don’t let it go completely or it will likely cause the paper to kink. 

Step 4: Raise the Bar and Secure the Paper

Clamp the paper at the end of the roll and put the clamp on the front, as clamping from the back will also cause the paper to kink. Now, with a person on each side, raise the height of the light stands slowly, starting from the top extension and working your way down until the desired height is reached. Unroll the backdrop along the ground once more, and then secure the corners with some shot bags and the front lip with some rubber mats.

Step 5: Packing Down

Once you’ve finished, trim off any paper you’ve used, but trim as little as possible, as it doesn’t go very far! I trim about 30cm in front of the rear most mark, meaning there will still be some marks left on the paper that will be covered up by the mats on the next shoot. When lowering the stands it can be easy to kink the paper. To avoid this, go slowly, by pulling the paper out as far as possible and securing it with a shot bag. Lower the height of the stands as far as you can without causing it to kink, and then repeat the process of pulling the paper out and lowering the stands until the bar is low enough for you to reach. 

Get some three pieces of masking tape ready, and roll the paper back up by spinning the roll. When you get to the end, pull it taut by holding onto the roll while pulling down the paper, and then secure it with some tape. Do this once again for the other side, and finish by popping some tape in the middle. Remove the screw that holds the bar to the lightstand once again so that you can slide the backdrop off the bar. Again it’s easiest to get a second person to help you, as they can catch the bar once you’ve removed the roll. If the roll is at least 5mm thick once it is wound up there will be enough left for another shoot.