How To Build A PVC Full Body Background Stand For 20€

It has been a long time since we had a good solid studio PVC build (pun intended), so I was quite thrilled when David Schöppe sent in this full body backdrop stand made from PVC

I’ve read about quite a few photographers using a 35€ IKEA window shade as a “seamless” half body background. I decided to make my own full body background system with changeable colors for less money.

Materials

PVC Pipes, I used 40mm diameter pipes because they are the cheapest at the hardware store next to me, while still providing enough support.
here is the size list:
- 2x200cm
- 3x150cm
- 2x30cm
- 2x20cm
- 8x 90° angle
- 2x 90° branch
Additionally, for each background color I bought a 50mm x 150cm pipe to mount the background fabric on.
All the PVC pieces together were less than 20 €
A fabric in the color of your choice, opaque, 150cm x 400cm (around 3 € per meter)

The Build

After you’re done, all the PVC pieces can be separated again portability and easy storage. (Easy storage = Storing them at any corner of the house, if you are willing to pay the rant from the significant other)

First, start with the stand: Use 4 of the 90 degrees angles, the two branches and the two 30cm long pipes to build the “legs” of the stand.

20 € PVC pipes

Connect the two 150cm pipes to create a rectangle as the bottom part of the stand. then add the long 200cm and 20cm vertical pipes.

Now at the last of the 150cm pipes, the thick end need to be cut off to make it fit between the two angles which hold the horizontal pipes. (if you are using schedule 40 pipes, this is probably not relevant, it is just a weird thing on European pipes).

Cut the thick end at 50mm x 150mm pipe (the one holding the fabric) so it can rotate around the thinner 40mm pipe. (yes, only for European pipes)

To mount the fabric to the pipe do a small side cut to the pipe, where the end of the fabric will be inserted.

I’ve fixed the end of the pipes with two hose clamps. The background can be rolled down from the pipe and rolled back up again once the shooting is done.