Commonly asked Technical Questions
What are standards ?
International Standards make things work. They give world-class specifications for products, services and systems, to ensure the expected outcomes of measurements , compatibility, durability, design, for the consumer.
They are instrumental in both facilitating international trade and being part of international trade.
In this new global environment its important that the equipment you provide will match the expectations of the production you are working on.
We can assure you when you buy our textiles, that is what you will get .
As most DOP’s , Gaffers and Lighting technicians know, light calibrations should be predictable when textile choices are made, this helps them match and complement specific filters. It also insures that no mater what brands of equipment you have the effect will be universal.
Unless you are risking a new idea or set up on your production , its advisable not to use any old fabric.
We commonly classify lighting Textiles into 3 Light modifying categories.
| TRANSMITTED (diffusions) |
ABSORBED (Cutters, Reducers, Blocks) |
REFLECTED (reflectors, bounces) |
You will find some of our textiles will tick more than one category box
As the artist it is up to you to use these tools to create the style and atmosphere desired.
We suggest you play around to gain experience or research through books, blogs etc. you can find some useful links here
Below we have given you a basic guide line to the category outcomes
Textiles that Reflect and Bounce Light.
Reflection, is of course, reflected light.
When Reflecting light off a material the surface of that material will determine the quality of light that is reflected.
Surfaces can be
Soft (Matte or Dull), Hard, (Gloss or Shinny) Textured and Coloured, all these create unique effects.
Most of the textiles are broken down into 4 grades,
| Textile Cat. | Super soft Reflection |
Soft Reflection | Medium Reflection | Hard Reflection |
| Glame Matt | ✔ | |||
| Glame Shiny | ✔ | |||
| Rocketflector | ✔ | |||
| Ultrabounce white | ✔ | |||
| American Muslin | ✔ | |||
| White Denim | ✔ |
Along with these grades colours will play a huge role.
Generally reflection textiles are Silver, Gold, Whites, Greys, and naturals ie beige, skin tones and daylight blues.
Textiles that Transmit the light and Diffuse it.
Diffusion or textiles that transmit light are used to soften a light source.
They may be broken up into light, medium, dense diffusion
| Textile Cat. | Light diffusion | Medium diffusion | Dense diffusion |
| Silks | 1/4 Silk | 1/2 Silk | Full Silk |
| Grid cloths | 1/4 Grid | 1/2 Grid | Full Grid |
It is important to control the different diffusion carefully.
Try to match your diffusion to your key source, ie if your key source is ½ grid, try to match ½ grid as your ambiance or fill.
Textiles that Reduce Absorb and Block the light
Absorption of light is not only used to completely block light but it can also be used to correct reflections coming from a too bright light source, this is called controlling or selective transmission.
A great example of this is too much light coming in a window , a black net would be put up in front of the window and it would absorb enough light for you to see clearly out the window
White nets are an excellent means to control a large reflective surface.
If a 12 x 12 silver reflector is to hard you can easily control it with a white net layered on-top or in-front of it. Black nets can also be used, however they do not diffuse so well.
Black nets over large white diffusion’s can reduce the reflected light from the diffusion surface, it can help reduce reflections this way.
Grid cloths and silks can also be used in this way. Black and grey colours are popular large overheads as they can reduce light but not reflect light from its surface.
| Textile Cat. | Light Reduction | Medium Reduction | Total Reduction |
| Black net | Single | double | |
| White net | |||
| Coloured Silks | |||
| Coloured Grids |
Black or solid materials are used as light cutters or backdrops.
Different grades are used for different purposes
Velvet / velour is a great shooting black (background). It is a highly light absorbent textile, due to its plush finish and the Quality of the Black gives a perfect ????
Brushed twill textiles make good cutters the brushed surface is a good light absorber but the quality of the black cannot match that of the velvet / velour
| Textile Cat. | Light Reduction | Medium Reduction | Total Reduction |
| Velvet / Velour | |||
| Brushed Twill (Duvateen®) | |||
| Waterproof Black (PVC) | |||
| Denim |
Removing Contamination from chromatic screens when using high light levels can be achieved by using a White Block
Use large white screens to mask off your shooting area. This prevents contamination and does not reduce your ambience, Black should be used when light levels are low.
| Textile Cat. | contamination contained | ||
| Ultrabounce | |||
| White Denim | |||
Choose textiles that suit the type of work you will be doing and keep it simple
It should ideally cover at least one
- Diffusion
- Reflector
- Reducer
Below are common examples of kits that are purchased
Suggested for a Single Camera, 3 Person Crew
| Qty | Product | Size | Description | Image |
| 1 Piece | Pop out Disk | 1 meter | A hand held disc with
Art Artificial Silk (diffuser); |
 |
| 1 kit (6 units varied) |
Mixed Frame Kit | 18″x24″ or 24″x36″ |
Open End and Closed Frames
Black Bobbin Net- Single & Double |
 |
Suggested for a Small Equipment Van or Truck
| Qty | Product | Size | Description | Image |
| 1 kit (6 units varied) |
Open End / Grip Net Kit |
12″x18 | 6 Open End / Grip nets in a protective Carry and Store Bag
Black Bobbin Net- Single & Double |
|
| 1 kit (6 units varied) |
Open End / Grip Net Kit |
18″x24″ | 6 Open End / Grip nets in a protective Carry and Store Bag
Black Bobbin Net- Single & Double |
|
| 1 kit (6 units varied) |
Closed Frame Kit | 36″x36″ | 6 Covered Closed Frames in a protective Carry and Store Bag
Black Bobbin Net- Single & Double |
|
| 1 kit (6 units varied) |
Closed Frame Kit | 48″x48″ | 6 Covered Closed Frames in a protective Carry and Store Bag
Black Bobbin Net- Single & Double |
|
| 1 Set of each size | Overhead Textile Set | 6′ x 6′ and 8′ x 8′ and 12′ x 12′ |
13 Rags for a variety of uses
Black Solid |
|
| 1 Set | Overhead Frame Kit | 6′ x 6′ and 8′ x 8′ and 12′ x 12′ |
Overhead Frame and storage bag 4 corners
|
|
With Careful handling and storage , 5 years of moderate use is a fair guess.
How we prioritise
- The Products Job / Use
- The Products Design
- The Products Durability
All our products are sewn with high tenacity, UV treated threads, this ensures a long life.
Textiles however must achieve the desired effects and results come before durability this is why we refer to many products as expendables.
Our Sourcing of materials always uses durability above cost to ensure Best Quality!
Yes
All theatrical Textiles should be FR treated
It is the equipment owners “Duty of Care”to maintain the safety regulations, and make sure their equipment reaches the legal requirements of the territory its used in.
Flame retardent solutions can be purchased and applied quite simply
Here are some links to products you can use:
| UK | USA | ||
| FireRetardentSpray.co.uk | noburn.com | ||
| mslfirecheck.com | |||
D.I.Y.
| Type | what to use | what to do |
| Light Spots / Marks | Mild cleaner and Water | Sponge Clean |
| Heavy Spots / Marks | Spray on Dry clean | follow product instructions |
OR use Specialist dry cleaners or industrial cleaners always check they can guarantee no harm will come to the textiles!
A common mistake by lighting assistants is setting a light control textile too close to a film lamp.
If this occurs to often the textile will be susceptible to discolouring, fibre damage and even burning.
Unless it is specifically a fire proof material, make sure it is kept or set at a safe distance.
If you hold your hand in front of the light source and your hand burns then it is a true indication if the textile is put there it will get damaged.