Tyvek Innovative Uses Blog, by Material Concepts
 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tyvek Projector Screen / Tyvek Projection Screen

A recent post on the How-To / DIY (do it yourself) site Instructables described how to make projector screen out of Tyvek® along with "a PVC pipe, rope, and plumbing pipe."

They described using a piece of Tyvek® HomeWrap®, which has the printed logo on it. The use one pole on the top and one pole on the bottom and secure the Tyvek® to the poles. The instructions descibe that the logo might pose a problem for rear projection, but that it didn't affect front projection. One comment expressed concern that the logo might show through, but others said it did not with front projection.

Material Concepts has supplied Tyvek® to some customers who have made projection screens from Tyvek®. And it's a pretty good idea too, considering the low weight and high strength of Tyvek® along with its bright white appearance. Our 120" wide Tyvek® 1460 is commonly purchased for this use.

Although this product comes folded and boxed, the Tyvek® 1460 behaves more like nylon fabric, so you can stuff it in a sack or fold it for storage, making it more compact and versatile. No need to store the Tyvek® on a long pole or worry about wrinkling it like you would with Tyvek® HomeWrap®. When unfolding Tyvek® 1460 to use as a movie screen, simply open it up, pull it taut on all sides to diminish the wrinkles, and it's ready. Or if you use the Instructables method, with a pole on the bottom, the weight of the pole will help flatten it.

Of course, it you prefer no wrinkles at all, you can purchase Tyvek® 1460 on the roll, or even a roll of the more paper-like hard Tyvek®. Of course, Tyvek® rolls from Material Concepts do not have the Dupont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap® printed logo, which is great for both front and rear projection.

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posted by Matcon Webmaster at

7 Comments:

Blogger Erich said...

Thanks for this. I am looking to make an outdoor screen and tyvek seems an obvious place to start. This blog is very helpful.

August 2, 2009 at 1:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Erich! Please feel free to call us anytime.
-Doug

August 5, 2009 at 3:52 PM  
Blogger Mac said...

How does the 1460 work for rear projection?

November 17, 2009 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger Douglas Kohn, www.MaterialConcepts.com said...

Hi Mac,
Projecting an image onto Tyvek is great, however, projecting from the rear could present an issue. You see, if you hold Tyvek up to the light, you'll notice the internal fibers - these are in a swirl pattern and are easily seen. So, rear projection is essentially backlighting. Will it work? Absolutely. You may or may not like the backlit effect. Any other questions or if you'd like to talk further, pleae feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email: Doug@Materialconcepts.com

Thanks Mac!

November 17, 2009 at 4:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

here is a link to a do it yourself screen that looks pretty easy to put together..I think tyvek would be the best option for the fabric...

http://outdoormoviescreen.blogspot.com/

January 4, 2011 at 9:08 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I have been searching for the best material for an outdoor movie screen and came upon this post. I wanted to buy the 1460 but couldn't find where to buy it anywhere. I ended up purchasing the 8' X 10' Ultralite OmnicovR since in the description it also mentioned you could use it for a movie screen. I built the screen in a similar way as the Instructables site and tested it out tonight. Unfortunately, since the material came folded I have creases all over the screen. Is there any way to get these out? Even pulling it tight didn't seem to diminish the creases. Can I use a steamer on the tyvek?

July 17, 2012 at 10:43 PM  
Blogger Douglas Kohn, www.MaterialConcepts.com said...

Unfortunately the creases in Tyvek are there to stay. We would not recommend using a steamer or other heat source, as these could be hot enough to distort or even melt the Tyvek.

We really miss style 1460 being available in that 120" width. The creases were still unavoidable, but 1460 was easier to deal with because it's much softer and pliable. The only drawback now is that it only comes in 60".

July 18, 2012 at 1:55 PM  

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