When recreating a theater experience at home or elsewhere, getting a good-quality projector is half the battle. The other half is finding a screen that doesn’t diminish the quality of the projected images. Now, the best ones cost upwards of $200 but you can still make one on the cheap out of sheets.
Read on as we take a look at two methods you can use to make a projector screen with a sheet that rivals the high-end options in the marketplace.
The double-stand method
As the name implies, this method makes use of two vertical stands, preferably metallic. Other materials you’ll need are:
- A white sheet. You can recycle a clean, old one or get a new one on Amazon and other stores. This sheet will act as the main projection surface.
- A black sheet. Again, you can use a recycled one or a new one. The purpose of this sheet is to prevent the projection light from passing through the white sheet, which can reduce the picture quality.
- Clips
- Hooks
- Two metallic or PVC pipes that are just over 10 feet in length
- Tie wraps
To make the projector screen, follow these steps:
- Cut the black and white sheets to the sizes you desire. Make sure to add a couple of inches to the sides to allow for folding and sewing seams.
- Sew each side of the sheets.
- Hold each side of the top of the white sheet and do the same for the black sheet while ensuring it’s behind the white sheet and the sides match.
- Add clips to the top and bottom edges of the sheets, holding them together.
- Attach the round hooks to the clips.
- Take the two metallic or PVC pipes and hang them on the vertical stands using tie wraps. Ensure you leave ample space between them for the sheets.
- Attach the sheets’ hooks to the top and bottom horizontal pipes you just installed.
The two-stand projector screen is suited for both indoor and outdoor use. When you’re done using it, you can dismantle it and tuck it away.
The eyelet method
Pardon me for the name, but it’s the best one I could come up with. Here are the materials you’ll need:
- White screen
- Black screen
- Eyelets
- Screw-in hooks
- PVC pipes
The steps to make this projector screen are:
- Cut the black and white sheet to your desired sizes. Be sure to add extra inches to the sides so you can fold them and sew seams. As we’ve mentioned already, the purpose of the black sheet is to prevent the projector light from passing through to the wall resulting in lower-quality images.
- Sew the sides of the sheets.
- Insert the eyelets to each side of the top of both sheets.
- Add the PVC pipes. To do that, fold the bottom edge of the white sheet over one PVC pipe and crease it. Then take it out and sew across from end to end. Put the pipe back in and sew the ends shut. Do the same for the black sheet.
- Screw the hooks to the walls of the rooms you plan to install the screen. That can be your bedroom, living room, or game room.
- Hang the black sheet first on the hooks followed by the white sheet. They should now be straightened out and ready for projection.
See Also: The Top Projector Screens for Daytime Viewing
What else can you use as a projector screen?
Besides sheets, there are other materials you can use to make a projector screen inexpensively. In this section, we’ll cover some of them.
Wrapping Paper
The plain white side of wrapping paper is usually smooth and glossy, which makes it good for projection. All you need to do is find a cardboard of your desired size and then tape the wrapping paper to it.
The main downside of wrapping paper is that it can get ripped or become wrinkled easily. And those flaws are very visible. The good news is that they are affordable and widely available.
Click here to check out wrapping paper on Amazon
Roller Shades
Roller shades are another affordable material for making a projector screen. They are typically closed anyway when projecting, so why not use them as screens?
Be sure to find white or gray colored ones with dimensions that are 6 inches at a minimum more than the window they are covering to contain the light.
Final Words
If you don’t have the budget for quality projector screens, sheets can act as great alternatives. In this article, we’ve gone over two ways you can use to make projector screens from sheets and other materials you may also find useful.
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