Photography backdrops are sold at camera retailers, online marketplaces, specialty backdrop vendors, and craft stores—each with different prices, selection, and shipping times
If you need a backdrop for portraits, product shots, or streaming, you have four main routes: big online retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo, specialty backdrop companies that make them to order, local camera shops, and craft stores for materials to build your own. The choice depends on your budget, how quickly you need it, whether you want fabric or paper, and whether you prefer to buy ready-made or assemble it yourself.
Most photographers start by checking what's in stock locally or on Amazon, then move to specialty vendors if they need something specific—a particular color, size, or material that mass retailers don't carry. Prices range from under $20 for basic paper rolls to several hundred dollars for professional-grade fabric systems with stands.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon, B&H Photo, and Adorama stock ready-made backdrops in common sizes and colors, with shipping in one to three days for Prime members.
- Specialty backdrop companies like Savage Universal, Westcott, and Manfrotto let you choose fabric type, size, and color, though lead times can be two to four weeks.
- Local camera shops often carry backdrops in stock and can advise on what works for your specific setup without shipping delays.
- Craft stores like Michaels and Joann sell fabric, muslin, and paper by the yard, letting you build a custom backdrop for $15 to $50.
- Secondhand options on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can save 30 to 50 percent, though selection varies by location and timing.
Amazon and General Online Retailers
Amazon carries hundreds of backdrop kits—usually fabric or paper rolls with or without stands—in the $30 to $150 range. Search for "photography backdrop kit" or "backdrop stand" and you'll see bundles that include the backdrop material, a stand, and sometimes clamps or clips. Prime shipping means you can have a basic setup in two days, which is useful if you need something quickly for a shoot this week.
The trade-off is selection. Amazon stocks the most popular sizes (5 by 7 feet, 10 by 20 feet) and colors (white, black, gray, green), but if you want a specific shade of blue or a 6 by 9 foot custom size, you won't find it. Read the reviews carefully—backdrop kits vary widely in fabric quality and stand stability. Look for comments about whether the stand wobbles or whether the fabric wrinkles easily.
Other general retailers like Walmart and Target carry basic backdrops online, though their selection is smaller and shipping times longer than Amazon. B&H Photo and Adorama, both camera-focused, stock more professional options and often have better prices on name-brand backdrops like Savage and Westcott.
Specialty Backdrop Manufacturers
Companies like Savage Universal, Westcott, Manfrotto, and Neewer make backdrops as their primary business. You order directly from their websites or through authorized dealers, and you can specify fabric type (muslin, canvas, vinyl), size, and color. Prices are higher than Amazon—$80 to $400 for the backdrop alone—but the quality and customization options are better.
Savage Universal and Westcott both let you order by the foot, so if you need a 7 by 12 foot backdrop instead of a standard 10 by 20, you can get exactly that. They also offer specialty fabrics: wrinkle-resistant muslin, chroma-key green, hand-painted designs, and textured surfaces. Lead times are typically two to four weeks because these are made to order, not stocked items.
If you're setting up a permanent studio or shooting regularly, this route pays off. You get a backdrop that fits your space and lasts years. If you're testing whether backdrop photography works for you, the wait and cost may not be worth it yet.
Local Camera Shops and Photo Studios
Independent camera retailers and photo studios often stock backdrops and can show you the material in person before you buy. This matters more than it sounds—fabric color and texture look different under your lights than they do on a screen. A shop can also tell you whether a backdrop will work with your specific setup: your ceiling height, the distance from your subject to the backdrop, and the lighting you already own.
Prices at local shops are usually within 10 to 20 percent of online prices, and you avoid shipping. If you need a backdrop this week, a local shop is faster than waiting for a specialty order. Some shops also rent backdrops by the day or week, which is worth asking about if you only shoot occasionally.
To find a local shop, search "camera store near me" or "photo studio rentals" in your area. Call ahead to confirm they have backdrops in stock and what sizes and colors they carry.
Craft Stores and DIY Materials
Michaels, Joann, and other fabric stores sell muslin, canvas, and colored fabric by the yard. A 9-foot-wide roll of muslin costs $15 to $30, and you can mount it on a PVC pipe frame or hang it from a wall. This is the cheapest route if you're willing to spend an afternoon building a frame or rigging a hanging system.
The advantage is cost and customization. You can dye fabric, paint designs on it, or mix and match colors. The disadvantage is time and durability. Fabric you buy at a craft store isn't treated for wrinkle resistance or color-fastness the way professional backdrop fabric is, so it may fade or wrinkle more easily. You also have to build or rig the support yourself, which requires basic tools and some trial and error.
This works well if you're experimenting, have a small space, or want a one-off backdrop for a specific shoot. If you're building a permanent setup, the time investment may not be worth the savings.
Secondhand and Rental Options
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp often have used backdrops and stands from photographers who upgraded or stopped shooting. Prices are typically 30 to 50 percent below retail. The risk is that you can't inspect the fabric closely before buying, and you have no return option if it arrives damaged or stained.
Rental is another option if you only shoot occasionally. Search "backdrop rental" plus your city, or ask local photo studios whether they rent. Rental costs $20 to $50 per day, which makes sense if you shoot two or three times a year but not if you shoot weekly.
What to Consider When Choosing Where to Buy
Start by deciding what you actually need: a specific size, color, and material. If you want a 5 by 7 foot white muslin backdrop and you need it in three days, Amazon is your answer. If you want a 8 by 12 foot hand-painted canvas backdrop and you can wait four weeks, a specialty manufacturer is better. If you're not sure what you want yet, visit a local camera shop and ask to see samples under your lights.
Budget matters too. A basic kit from Amazon runs $40 to $80. A professional backdrop from Savage or Westcott runs $150 to $400. DIY fabric from a craft store costs $20 to $50 but requires building time. Secondhand can cut costs in half but comes with no warranty.
Finally, think about permanence. If this is a one-time shoot, buy cheap or rent. If you're setting up a studio you'll use for years, invest in a quality backdrop from a specialty maker. The middle ground—a decent Amazon kit—works well for photographers who shoot regularly but aren't ready to commit to a permanent setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size backdrop do I need?
For headshots and portraits, 5 by 7 feet is standard. For full-body shots or group photos, 10 by 20 feet gives you room to move. Measure your space first—you need at least 3 feet between your subject and the backdrop to avoid shadows, and enough ceiling height to hang or stand the backdrop without it sagging into the frame.
Should I buy fabric or paper backdrops?
Fabric is reusable, wrinkles less, and lasts years. Paper is cheaper, disposable, and works well for one-time shoots. If you shoot regularly, fabric pays for itself. If you shoot once or twice, paper is fine.
Can I return a backdrop if I don't like it?
Amazon and most online retailers offer returns within 30 days. Specialty manufacturers usually don't accept returns on custom orders, so confirm their policy before ordering. Secondhand sales are final.
Do I need to buy a stand, or can I hang the backdrop?
You can do either. A stand is portable and doesn't require wall damage. Hanging from a rod or rope is cheaper and more stable but requires a wall or ceiling to mount to. Many photographers use both depending on the shoot location.
What's the difference between muslin and canvas backdrops?
Muslin is lighter, cheaper, and easier to transport. Canvas is heavier, more durable, and holds color better over time. For occasional use, muslin is fine. For a permanent studio, canvas is worth the extra cost.