The global backdrop screening market was valued at $2.93 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of over 4%, reaching $3.72 billion by 2027. Find all you need to know on how to start a backdrop business below.
Summary
What is a backdrop business?
A backdrop is simply a background banner. You’ll undoubtedly have seen them at trade shows with a company’s corporate logo and message on a banner or at an exhibition, wedding function, marathon or even when your favorite sports player is being interviewed on television.
These are also used as a background for presentations, and photo-ops and they make companies stand out at tradeshows by making them appear more professional. They’re also instrumental in photo studios for their light-absorbing capabilities.
As an example, backdrops can also be used in a theater scene that uses jungle backdrops, a scene depicting a grand ballroom, or an icy and snow covered mountain.
5 tips for opening a backdrop business business
1 – Find your niche
You must take the time to study where you want to open up the backdrop business, what items you want to sell, who you will be selling to, why you want to enter this industry, and more.
Customers will be more likely to hire someone who is an expert in a specific area than someone that does an “OK” job at any type of party. There are plenty of different niches out there. Which one do you like most? Pick one or two and become the best at them.
Some niches include:
- Corporate events
- Children’s parties
- Graduation parties
- Birthday parties
- Wedding parties
- Baby shower/gender reveals
- Holiday parties
Some of them will overlap, and it’s OK to pick a few of them that you can do. Just be careful not to stretch yourself too thin. The better you are at a few types of parties, the more marketable you’ll be!
2 – Choose a good business name
As part of your business plan on how to open a backdrop business, you must select a good business name. Choosing a name for your business has more than a few considerations.
Your business name should stand out and sum up what you do. If your niche is wedding parties, then you’ll want something that says that in your name, like “Forever After Party Decorating.”
Choose a list of about 5-10 names you like and then search to see if another business has that name already. Each state’s secretary of state has an online directory of current LLC’s. You can search your state’s listing and see if anyone has the name that you are interested in claiming.
You can also do a quick Google search to see if anyone has your name. Type in your favorite possible business name in quotes, like “Forever After Party Decorating.”
3 – Work on your finances
Your project is developing now but you’ll need to firm up on the figures. For this, you’ll need to develop a business plan for your backdrop business project and its financial plan. This is an essential step to ensure the success of your business.
It lists all your expenses and allows you to estimate your revenues. The business plan will allow you to validate the profitability of your project. This is when you can decide if you need to use financing solutions and which particular options would work best: Bank loan, crowdfunding, investors or something different.
The business plan is generally required by the banks or other financial partners from which you apply for financing and therefore should be clear, precise and complete. You may need a business starter loan from your local bank, Credit Union or avail or start your business with loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.
Good to know: The budget needed to open a backdrop business depends on the investments needed for the premises and its layout, the equipment you’ll need including printers and props including chairs and lighting, the cash requirement at launch and more. Prospective owners should budget an estimate of $10,000 and more depending on the above items.
4 – Equip yourself with the right business tools
To ensure your business runs smoothly, it’s in your best interest to equip yourself with powerful and efficient tools. In particular, you’ll need to:
- Open a Business bank account
- Obtain a Card reader system to allow customers to pay with card
- Use Accounting software to record day-to-day financial transactions and/or use an online accountant
From an inventory point of view, you should consider your:
- Sets: Different backdrop ‘sets’ that you own & can re-use for various photo-shoots or events
- Materials: Backdrops can be made from a variety of materials including vinyl, fabric or flex materials with the colors and imaging printed onto the material using digital printing or custom industrial printers.
- Tablecloths, centerpieces, backdrops, specialty chairs can also be used to complete the look.
- Printers: To print your backdrops including 3D printers produced by W2P and inkjet printers
5 – Create A Portfolio Website
A portfolio website is a web page where you can showcase all the work you have done building previous backdrops. This is essentially your shop window and way to showcase your talent and expertise, a practical way to allow your clients to visually judge your skills.
It will also increase the chances that you and your work will be found by prospective clients searching for backdrop businesses online. When pulling together your portfolio, add a touch of your own personality to it. This will inform clients as to what they can aspire to.
Having a portfolio website which bears your name or the name of your brand will also add professionalism to your image.
6 – Market your business
As your backdrop business gets ready to open, you will want to invest in marketing your business bookstore. Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive however but it should be well planned.
Take care of the basics like developing your logo and brand, setting up your backdrop business website, opening your social media accounts and reaching out to bloggers and local media. You may also need a total make-over and rebranding, so you will want to figure that into your overall budget.
Communicating about your activity and collecting the opinions of your customers is a good solution to engage your customers in your project and to improve yourself, always with the pursuit of customer satisfaction.
A Google Business page, a professional website, and a presence on social networks are good ways to talk about your backdrop business, attract new customers, retain them and create a community around your activity.
Social Media
Choose a couple of platforms and learn them in and out. For backdrop businesses, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook are excellent. If you spend time on social media, be sure to post content for when your followers are most active to maximize the engagement.
Ensure your images that you post on Instagram are eye-catching, photos that will make your audience stop scrolling and click onto your profile to see more.
Your backdrop business Grand Opening
Having a “grand opening” weekend or month will drive community awareness, buzz, and excitement. Your grand opening should be the start of your year-long master marketing plan to introduce yourself to personal and potential corporate clients.
Which business structure should I use to open a backdrop business?
When setting up a backdrop business, you’ll need to think about what business structure will work best.
Many prospective business owners find themselves lost in the complexity of understanding and indeed choosing between an LLC, a sole proprietorship, a partnership or another alternative.
In the case of backdrop business, we advise you to choose one of these legal forms:
- A Limited Liability Company (LLC) for one or multiple owners
- Sole proprietorship if you own an unincorporated business by yourself
LLC’s are often preferred as, unlike a sole proprietorship, their business structure in the U.S. protects its owners from personal responsibility for its debts or liabilities.
An attorney or accountant can also explain to you how to open a backdrop business or you can choose a professional company formation service. These services offer excellent legal advice and business formations at a fraction of the price of a traditional attorney.
Regulations for a backdrop business?
Apart from acquiring a business license, to open a backdrop business, you’ll need to pay attention to certain business obligations and requirements.
A backdrop business owner may be involved with the set of the background banner on the day of the photoshoot or corporate event, which can be held in public or private spaces. Clients may also want to conduct their photoshoot or event in a public setting such as a park.
If you’re planning to host a backdrop photoshoot in a park, firstly check if there are any restrictions as some parks do not permit corporate events or will require a permit.
Permit regulations can differ according to the region you are in, as well as the location of your backdrop event. In some areas, you’ll have to submit a “Certificate of Liability Insurance” for a set cost. It’s an essential expenditure, but also an investment that will help things smooth sail in all your future projects.
FAQs
How do you make a backdrop for an event?
Event backdrops can be made from a variety of materials including vinyl, fabric or flex materials with the colors and imaging printed onto the material using digital printing or custom industrial printers. Tablecloths, centerpieces, backdrops, specialty chairs can also be used to complete the look.
What is needed to print backdrops?
Backdrops can be printed using 3D printers produced by W2P and inkjet printing to produce attractive printed backdrops and signage at affordable rates for companies in their showrooms and retail shops.
How do I print a digital backdrop?
Printing a digital backdrop involves uploading the .jpeg image you wish to include on your backdrop to an online print shop such as Vistaprint and confirm the banner product you wish to order and sizing. After payment, your backdrop will be delivered to you.
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Tom is the founder of Gottagrow.io. He reads the offers, deciphers the details including features, pricing, included services and more to find you the best products and services.