Or have an outdoor movie night in your own backyard?
Whatever it is you are looking for, this guide is for anyone currently wanting to find out what the best fabric is for projector screen use.
In this guide, we look at the best fabrics that can be used as a projector screen, different types of fabric screens you can buy, the pros and cons associated with each type, and the ultimate buyer's guide.
Let's get started!
Most Popular Fabric For Projector Screen Use
The most popularly used fabric is a white blackout cloth.
The plain white coloring ensures a great quality picture, even though it is disputed that a gray-colored material offers a higher contrast level.
The image brightness is boosted by the blackout backing on this type of fabric.
When using this fabric it is important to ensure that the cloth is stretched out evenly and secured in each corner to maintain the tautness across the entirety.
Any wrinkles or loose sagging areas can affect the quality of the image being projected onto the fabric.
This type of fabric continues to be very popular as it is extremely affordable.
You can buy this material from Amazon by clicking here where you can buy a yard of this material for less than $10.
3 Best Screen Fabrics For Projectors
Below are the three best fabrics that we recommend if you are making your own DIY projector screen in your home and have a strict budget to stick to.
If you are looking for fabric that can deliver top-quality image clarity then the Yandood projector screen fabric is just for you.
This is a newly-upgraded fabric that is designed to give users high-quality visual experiences.
The material can be bought in both an all-black design or the type which is linked below, being the material with the black backing and white front.
This white fabric is made from EPPE polymer and offers up to 4K Ultra HD image quality.
The fabric is 70x118inches and offers 160 degrees of viewing angle.
The fabric is also environmentally friendly and is composed of three different layers that make the fabric approximately 0.25 mm in thickness.
If you decide to purchase this fabric you will need to build a wooden frame to hold the fabric taut to ensure no creases happen across the fabric, which affects the image quality.
It is also important to note that this fabric cannot be folded and stored away as folding will also cause creases which will affect the viewers experience when using this fabric as a projector screen.
This fabric is suitable for use in dark environments, or environments with controlled ambient or artificial lights.
If you use this fabric as a projector screen in daylight you can expect the image quality to be affected and the projected images to appear dull.
Pros
High-quality image quality
Great size
160-degree viewing angle
1.0 Gain
130-inches diagonally, great size for watching movies
16:9 aspect ratio
Cons
Fabric can’t be folded and stored away between uses
Expensive for just the fabric
You can buy this fabric to make a DIY projector screen on Amazon by clicking here.
This option is slightly cheaper than the Yandood fabric above.
This Yescom fabric is an impressive size, offering a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a massive 177-inch diagonal size.
This material is quite heavy, with this cut of 154-inches x 87-inches weighing 8.8 pounds and so you will need to buy additional accessories to support this screen when in use.
This fabric offers a 160 degree wide viewing angle and can be used both indoors and outdoors, in dry conditions.
The fabric has a black backing which helps to prevent ambient or additional light from seeping through and the high-strength PVC coated fabric has a white front, making it perfect for offering great image quality.
This fabric can be cut to size if you find that it is too large for your home or viewing space.
You can also easily roll this fabric up and store it away between uses.
Pros
1.1 gain
160-degree viewing angle
Great price
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Can be rolled up and stored between uses
Cons
Additional accessories required to hold screen when in use
You can buy this fabric to make a DIY projector screen on Amazon by clicking here or directly from the manufacturer by clicking here.
Our third and final recommendation is the Elite Screens Designer Cut Series which is a raw DIY projector screen material.
Elite Screens have a great reputation for creating top-quality projector screen fabrics and this product is no different.
This white fabric is made up of three layers, a rear black backing, a middle gray layer of fabric and the front, being the matte white fabric which you will project your images onto.
The fabric has a 135-inch diagonal, giving plenty of space to watch your favorite movies on!
Enjoy 180-degrees of viewing angle and image quality of between 4K and 8K, Ultra HD resolution.
This fabric should be stored rolled up to prevent any creases in the material.
The matte finish on the front of the fabric means that you can also clean this screen using a moist cotton cloth.
This product has been specifically designed for the DIYers amongst you to ensure you get industry standard fabric for a great price.
This fabric can be used in both indoor and outdoor dry settings.
Pros
2-year warranty
Lifetime tech support
16:9 aspect ratio
1.1 Gain
Suitable for use indoors and outdoors
Can be stored rolled up between uses
Cons
Cut by the yard
You can buy this fabric to make a DIY projector screen on Amazon by clicking here or directly from the manufacturer by clicking here.
Best Fabric Projector Screens
The below three fabric projector screens are for anyone who decides the DIY options aren’t for them.
The below choices are affordable and some are compact and even portable options.
If you are looking for a lightweight portable screen then this Mdbebbron projector screen could be perfect for you.
This screen is suited to anyone with a budget of under $50. This screen can be used both indoors and outdoors.
All necessary accessories for hanging the screen come in the product box upon purchase, these items include seamless hooks, double-sided adhesive, rope and a bag to store the screen in when not in use.
The screen offers a full 1080 HD resolution and can also support 4K Ultra HD projections.
With a 16:9 aspect ratio and 120-inch diagonal this screen is a great size.
The screen has been made to ensure that even when it is not stored properly no creases will occur although it is advised to fold the screen after each use for the best results.
The projector screen can be mounted and left in place or else it takes approximately two minutes to set up the screen for each use.
Initially setting up may take longer until you get used to the product.
Pros
Budget price
160-degree viewing angle
16:9 aspect ratio
120-inch diagonal
Foldable material
Cons
Set-up required for each use
You can buy this projector screen on Amazon by clicking here or directly from Walmart by clicking here.
Finding a top-quality fabric projector screen that comes with a stand can often cost in the hundreds, but this GT GETCO TECH screen comes with a foldable stand and offers crisp image quality every time.
The screen can support both rear and front projections and offers a 160-degree viewing angle.
You can enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies from the comfort of your home or out in your backyard under the stars using this screen.
The frame has been designed to feature fiberglass rods, a stretch belt on each side and stretch rope to keep the screen taut and keep creases at bay.
The lightweight construction makes the stand very lightweight.
A useful portable carrying bag comes with this product allowing you to carry it or drive it from place to place.
The screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio and has a 100-inch diagonal which is a great large size.
You can expect great image clarity, with this screen supporting 4K Ultra HD resolution and Full HD images.
For under $100 there is not much to dislike about this product.
Pros
Double-sided
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
16:0 aspect ratio
100-degree diagonal
Very affordable, portable and lightweight
Built to last
Cons
Best suited to smaller groupings
You can buy this projector screen on Amazon by clicking here.
If you want a projector screen that can be left hanging, but won’t look very obvious when a pull-down screen may be ideal for you.
This Perlesmith projector screen can be mounted to the wall or hung from the ceiling and when not in use it blends perfectly into any white wall in your home or professional space.
With this screen you can expect 16:9 aspect ratio, 100-inch diagonal and 150-degree viewing angle, making this screen perfect for leisure and professional use.
The fabric is a matte white color and has black backing to boost image clarity and quality.
When not in use the screen rolls up into the steel housing tightly to prevent any wrinkles.
As the screen is held in a steel housing this screen can be positioned both indoors and outdoors.
The auto-locking mechanism keeps the screen in place when not in use and can easily be pulled down making set-up very simple and quick.
The screen also features a black border that prevents the projected image from bleeding outside the screen's edge.
This projector can support 4K 3D 1080P HD image resolution.
The screen is matte and so it can be cleaned using a moist cotton cloth to ensure it maintains a crisp white appearance.
Pros
150-degree viewing angle
1.2 Gain
High-resolution projections
Steel casing
Easy set-up and use
Cons
Mounting accessories not included
You can buy this projector screen on Amazon by clicking here.
As we reach the end of our list of recommendations we thought we would stretch our list of fabrics to include paint!
The Paint On Screen S1 Ultimate Contrast is a special paint that can be painted onto any interior wall in your home to create a high-quality projector screen.
The paint is a silver-gray color and so it is not overly obvious what it is when you do not have a projector screen projecting images onto the section of wall painted with this product.
This paint gives a screen that offers a whooping 1080p and 4K HD resolution, which is above what many manufactured screens offer.
The paint tin is available in a 1-gallon size and for best results, it is advised to paint the wall with at least two coats for the best results.
Top up your painted screen wall every year to keep that crisp image quality for longer.
To apply the paint you can use a variety of methods, including spraying or rolling.
There is no need to prepare the surface before applying the paint making it a very straightforward process.
The paint is best applied to non-porous surfaces, such as drywall. This paint can support 3D media and creates a 240” diagonal image.
If your home theater space has lots of ambient light this paint can compete and also offers a widescreen 150-degree viewing angle cone.
If you don’t have a lot of space then this paint will be the perfect way to create your own at-home, large projector screen.
Pros
Offers high-quality 1080p 4K HD resolution
Viewing angle of 150-degrees
Large gallon-sized paint tin
2.0 gain
Interior and Exterior paint versions are available
Cons
Expensive in comparison to other similar products but worth the investment
You can buy this projector screen paint on Amazon by clicking here or directly from the manufacturer, Paint On Screen, by clicking here.
Best Screen Fabrics For Projectors Buying Guide
There are many different fabrics available for projection screens but which one should you choose?
This buyer’s guide will help you decide which fabric is the best for your project.
Size
The first thing you need to consider when choosing fabric for projection screens is the size of the screen.
For example, if you have a 8ft x 10ft screen then you would need a larger sized fabric than if you had a 4ft x 6ft screen.
Another factor to take into account is whether you want a blackout fabric or not.
If you do not want any light coming through then you may want to opt for a blackout fabric.
However, if you wish to see the outside world through your screen then you might want to go for a non-blackout fabric.
Another consideration is how much light you want to allow through your screen.
If you plan on watching movies late at night then you may want to select a darker fabric so that less light comes through.
On the other hand, if you watch movies during the day then you may prefer a lighter fabric so that more light comes through.
Image Quality
When buying a fabric it is important to consider what the image quality will be like.
If the material is a cotton bedsheet, often these are light and porous and so light can bleed through, resulting in terrible image quality.
Cotton bedsheets should only be used in the pitch black for best results. Some fabrics are specially designed for projector screen usage.
Choosing a fabric with a black backing, white front and a thick diameter is often the best bet.
Check what environments the material can be used in as the environment you are in will also affect the image quality.
Storage
Some fabrics can become incredibly creased when stored and this can prevent the fabric from giving a crisp image.
Certain materials, such as bedsheets, can be ironed but most fabrics designed for projector screens have a coating meaning you cannot steam or iron them before use.
If you can’t or don’t intend to keep your projector screen set up all the time you need to ensure you get a fabric that you can easily store.
Often this is the main reason why people choose to invest in manufactured screens as they are designed for compact storage, or they come with the necessary accessories to mount onto a wall for safe hanging all the time.
Budget
Finally, you also need to think about the cost of the fabric.
If you cannot afford to spend too much money on a new fabric then you may want to stick to a cheaper option such as a black cotton sheet or canvas.
However, if you have some extra cash to invest then you may want to consider buying a high-quality fabric that has been specifically designed for DIY projector screens, such as the fabrics that made our list.
If you are unsure about which fabric to purchase then you may want to ask a professional installer who has experience installing these materials.
They will be able to advise you on which fabric is the best choice for your particular situation.
If you decide that making your own DIY projector screen isn’t going to work out for you then you should consider investing in a manufactured projector screen.
These are often sturdier and can be stored easier than many of the DIY fabrics.
Accessories
Whether you buy a DIY fabric or a manufactured screen, be sure to look at the accessories that you will need to operate, mount and store the screen to prevent damage and ensure that the screen stays in peak condition for as long as possible.
Wooden frames can easily be made to hold fabrics or a frame can be purchased to support the fabric online or in some computer and gadget stores.
We hope that this piece has helped you to understand what fabric is best for using as a projector screen and that you found our recommendations useful.
If you didn’t find the perfect screen for your needs in our recommendation lists don’t forget to take on board our buyer's guide to help find that perfect material to upgrade your home theater.
If you still have questions, check out our frequently asked questions section below for more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blackout Cloth Suitable To Use For A Projector Screen?
Many people that are making their own DIY projector screens choose to make the screen using a blackout cloth.
This material is commonly used in professional screens, showing how effective this material is when used as a projector screen.
Blackout cloth is extremely budget-friendly and creates the perfect backdrop for a crisp image from the projector.
When getting a black-out cloth consider the color of the side of the fabric that will be used to project the image onto.
Blackout cloths are particularly useful for those who may not have a completely darkened room that can be used for a projector.
What Can Be Used To Make A DIY Projector Screen?
If you need to make a DIY projector screen there are many things in your home that can be used.
For the most part, walls are used but these can often cause the clarity of the projected image to become faded and not as crisp.
Bedsheets, shades, and picture backdrops can also be used or if you plan on using your projector a lot you can purchase a projector screen paint and cover a wall that you plan on using often.
Is Polyester Suitable For Use As A Projector Screen?
Polyester is another material that often enters the debate as to what fabric is best for projector screens.
Polyester is a main part of the makeup in spandex fabric, which makes for a fantastic fabric that can be used as a DIY projector screen.
The composition of this fabric, being 20% spandex and 80% polyester, this fabric creates a lovely, smooth surface for your projected image to be cast upon.
This crease-free screen is also very dense and so very little light creeps through giving you great image quality for both still and moving projected images.
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