Background Styles and Material

    As important as choosing what look you want the background, what you use is as important.  The material you use can change the whole look to your display.  There are three types of material that are popular as background material for a display.  They include; matting board, fabric, and felt paper.  They all have their advantages and disagvantages, but by changing from one to another will change the look of your display.

    Matting Board - This is a stiff paper board that has a colored side on it.  You can find it in most craft and art shops.  Using matting board gives you the ability to choose from many colors.  When it is cut there is a white edge to the board, this gives the display a artistic look.  The biggest problem with this method is you must use a special cutter to get the edges straight.  If you do not have access to one it could be very expensive.  I have seen many displays using this method and it seems to give the display a cold hard look.

    Fabric - This is by most the most popular material used as a background for displays.  There are several different types of fabric that can be used for the background, and each of them change the overall apperance of the display.  Velvet and silk will give the display a shine,  felts give the look of velvet without the shine, and cottons will give it a softer look.  When picking out the fabric take some time, go to the fabric store and find the type that will best fit the look you want.  Once you have decided on the fabric you must decide the best way to create a design.  There are several ways to put the design together on the backing.

         Sewing - This is a good way to create a design.  After you decide on a design, cut it out of the material and sew it together.  The fabric then may be glued onto the backing of the display. This is a great way to create a design that will last for a long time and the stiching can be used to enhance the design.  This method leaves you the ability to create a design as detailed as you can sew.

        Glue - This is cutting a design out of fabric and gluing one on top of another.  The background is usually a solid.  The top color will be cut to create the design.  The design color will be put into place and glued to the back color fabric.  This is a commonly used method of creating a design with fabric.  It requires less work than with sewing.  This is a good method, But there is a problem with the fabric shrinking and leaving a the glue revield  (Example).  Make sure you have enough to do the entire design.  By using two different pieces of fabric for a single section will leave the design with lings through it  (Example).  This method is very hard to create a detailed design.  When you get into using small pieces of fabric it is hard to keep everything straight and even.

     Matting -      This is where two different boards covered with fabric is used to create a design.  The back board is covered with the design color.  This board is left as a solid color.  The front board is cut out in the pattern of the design.  The main color of the display is then placed on this board.  The fabric is then cut out in the the same design with the fabric being folded around the edges and glued on the back of the board.  The two above displays were created with this method.   The display on the left has a back board covered with black and the front board covered with white fabric.  The board and fabric has been cut out to reviel the black for the design.  This is a white on black design.  The display on the right has a white back board and a black front board.  This is a black on white design.  By folding the fabric around the edges the design the edges of the back board is not showing and the design is a constant black or white.  This method gives you the ability to create very detailed design and not know how to sew.  You may use paste board, matting board, or card board may be used as the backing for the fabric.


     Felt Paper - This is a paper that has the look and feel of felt.  It comes in a varitiy of colors and can be found at art and craft stores.  It is ued just like you would use paper.  Create a design and cut it out of the paper.  The paper is then glued onto a back board in the design of your choice.  This is an easy way to create very detailed designs.  Where the paper is thiscker and ridged you do not have to worry about the paper folding or laying crooked making the design uneven.  This paper does yellow and fade faster than fabric does, so if you use it use it for the whole display.

     These are the major methods for creating design within colored material.  Every method has its advantages and disadvantages.  The method you use sould depend on the feel you are trying to create with the display itself.  If you use one method, you should use the same method and material for any matching or identical displays.


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