Alternatives to sharkstooth scrim material?

[JLNorthGA]

I need to have a translucent material for the forthcoming play. I'll be making 4' W x ~8' tall flats. I will have back lights on the flats so that the light (and the painted colors) will be seen. I was thinking about using organza or light weight muslin. I've seen scrim material for sale - but it is way wider than I need and a bit too expensive.

Would organza work? Does anyone have any other inexpensive alternatives? The fabric needs to be "opaque" until it is back lit.

[tprewitt]

Bobby netting sort-of works and is much cheaper.

We frequently have sharkstooth remnant larger than that we toss. Call or email me if you like and I save some out for you.


-Ty

[derekleffew]

...Would organza work? Does anyone have any other inexpensive alternatives? The fabric needs to be "opaque" until it is back lit.

I don't think opaqueness is the issue; the problem is transparency when lit from behind. Very few woven fabrics will be open enough. Perhaps cheesecloth or gauze (incidentally, the British term for scrim), but I think you'd have the opposite problem of sharkstooth--finding goods large enough.

Have you seen/priced Chameleon? See this thread.

I think tprewitt meant wiki: bobbinette or wiki: nylon net or wiki: tulle, all of which are likely too open.

[tprewitt]

I think tprewitt meant wiki: bobbinette or wiki: nylon net or wiki: tulle, all of which are likely too open.

LOL!!! Yes, bobbinette (or sometimes bobinette.) "Bobby Net" is way to opaque and you'd have to stretch him pretty thin to cover a 4X8.

[kicknargel]

Let's make sure we understand the effect. Do you want to go from opaque when front lit to translucent (glowing) when back lit? If so, scrim will not work. It becomes transparent (you see right through it) with light behind it.

[Van]

Tricot. Go purchase som 30 Denier tricot. I comes in your choice of colors, usually white black Ivory and Nude. It is usually found in the Bridal or Lingerie departments of Fabic stores. I comes in some wide widths and it is VERY stretchy so a little can go a long way. I have used it as Scrim, RP & FP screen, Wispy curtains, a water substitute. Tricot < Tree - co > Ask for it by Name.........

[JLNorthGA]

Let's make sure we understand the effect. Do you want to go from opaque when front lit to translucent (glowing) when back lit? If so, scrim will not work. It becomes transparent (you see right through it) with light behind it.

That's the effect I want/need. Opaque to translucent.

[kicknargel]

There are several threads that discuss translucent materials that are worth reading. Some suggestions include:

-Coroplast. This is a plastic sheet used by the sign industry. We use the 4 mil "natural" for backlit material to great effect.
-RP screen material
-Plastic shower curtain
-muslin sized w/ Rosco Flex Bond (or starch, but I find the Flex Bond fills the weave and helps mask the light source)
-spandex
-polyester

The Cityscape in the Annie set below is made of Coroplast, with the grey painted on the front and colors on the back to show up when backlit. The corporate set is Coroplast backlit with LED.