I looked around before posting this. We rent this building and we do a lot of table top product shooting. We also do some editorial/fashion work here. If it wasn't for the rent-factor and table top shooting, I'd build something in and not use paper at all.
Looking for 9' x the longest available roll of paper. What we have now feels almost like cardboard and it very susceptible to creasing. I'd like paper that was more mailable.
I've considered vinyl, but how well does it clean up? How does it hold up to stilettos? See, I think I need paper because of how beat up it gets, how much drawing I do on the paper when I'm shooting product, etc.
This is the only photo that shows the current state of our paper. It's NSFW (just a topless model at a distance). See the crinkling? I think that was caused by our move. Storing the paper upright isn't an option.
Stilettos will eventually damage maleable surfaces such as paper and vinyl. Since this is inevitable, the more economical choice would be seamless paper. Savage 9' rolls of Super White are S45.95, and Set Shop Super White is the same. Savage and Set Shop also offer 4' rolls, for table top.
In addition to paper, get creative, there are illimitable options for surfaces, just look around you. Formica was a major player 25 years ago, and lasts a while.
Unless you're plowing through seamless at a fast pace, storing it horizontally (long tem) will cause the roll to bow. Vertical is the way to store it.
Thanks! Sometimes we do use all 9' of the roll for our table top work. We often shoot a lot of product side-by-side.
Thanks for the suggestions too. As I mentioned, putting the roll upright isn't really an option due to the amount of use it gets. Often our setups for one product shoot are setup for weeks at a time.
If it's got to stay horizontal, you want the beefiest through-rod you can get. Ideally you want the roll not to be sagging at all.
That being said, the pattern in your paper looks more like it might have been packed up against something than what I'm used to seeing from horizontal flat storage or permanent hanging. It's oddly square and patterned, where I'd expect to see a series of large ripples from flat storage or a sagging stand.
Great, that confirms what I thought too about it likely having been damaged when we moved shop. I also agree that the rod isn't beefy enough.
The Savage Super White gets great reviews. Think we'll just go with that for the time being as we need something here ASAP. We can afford to experiment with other materials later.
Yep! I'm going to see if I can get the shop to get more sturdy rod, as it's obviously too flimsy to be able to handle the weight of the paper over long periods of time.
Another option to prevent heel damage on the floor is to put a piece of white tileboard (Home Depot) on the seamless. It will not dent and will give you a nice bit of reflection.
Yes, it has been stored and then hung incorrectly. I go one step further and use an elevated sheet of plywood with plexiglass on top of that to shoot full length images. I also like the 12' seamless that is hung on a 2" metal tube which does not bow. Do it this way and you will rarely wastes any paper.
It's totally controlled now. The old building was a mess. I think we'll do fine with the new roll. I would like to get pipping to keep the main rod from flexing.
I'm sure all will be acceptable and fine from here on out.
Thanks in advance!