Digital Fabric Printing for Events & Décor

Digital fabric printing turns your own artwork into backdrops, banners and décor without screen-printing setup. Compare the fabrics, then open a product page to check options.

Talk to an expert
800+ Products available
50,000+ Orders
30+ Countries
22+ Years experience
Digital Fabric Printing for Events & Décor
800+ Products available
50,000+ Orders
30+ Countries
22+ Years experience

Not sure which display fits your booth?

Get a free 2D mockup with your artwork — see exactly how it looks before you order. 7,000+ happy exhibitors.

Talk to an expert
Not sure which display fits your booth?

What our customers say

4.9from 7,200+ reviews
These are great, I love the light box and the ability to change the screens with in seconds to make it more user friendly.
Scott CrossUSA
My first time using Backdrop source and so far they have been a pleasure to work with. They have been extremely helpful throughout the process. Definitely give them a chance.
James ShevlinUSA
Wow! My banner added new life to my exhibition. The quality of the print was great and the cool bag that the pieces came in made it even more professional.
Merze Tate ExplorersUSA
I cannot thank you all enough! The backdrop arrived today and the front and back look beautiful! The colors are crisp and rich and look far better than I had expected! I will go nowhere else for future work! Backdropsource is the best! A+A+A+
Robert .BUSA
Customer service above and beyond. Product better than what was pictured via the website. Top notch service, I received it within a week WITH standard free delivery. Only using them from now on.
Josh NevilleUSA

How does digital printing on fabric differ from screen printing?

Digital printing sends your artwork straight from a file to the fabric. There are no screens, stencils or plates to make first. Backdropsource uses dye-sublimation, where heat turns the inks into a gas that bonds with the polyester fibres. The colour becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top as a layer. The surface stays soft, and fine detail, gradients and photographs print cleanly.

Screen printing needs a separate screen for every colour. That is why it usually suits large runs of simple, few-colour designs. Digital fabric printing suits the opposite: one-off backdrops, short runs and full-colour artwork for a specific event or shoot.

  • No screen setup: a single piece is priced as a single piece.
  • Full colour in one pass: photos, watercolours and brand gradients print as designed.
  • Easy to refresh: a new season, launch or wedding only needs a new file.
  • Soft finish: the fabric keeps its natural drape, which matters for sheer and décor pieces.

If you have been comparing digital fabric printing NZ options with overseas printers, Backdropsource has made custom printed fabric displays since 2004. Your file is handled by a team with more than two decades of experience printing on fabric.

Which fabric suits a backdrop, banner or décor piece?

Choosing the fabric is often the hardest part. The right choice depends on where the piece will hang, how much light you want through it, and whether wind is a factor.

Airmesh Fabric Banner Printing

Airmesh is an open-weave mesh that lets air pass through. That makes it a practical choice for fence banners, outdoor event signage and large banners in exposed spots. From a distance the print reads clearly. Up close, you will see the mesh texture, so it is less suited to close-up photography.

Ultra Sheer Fabric Backdrop Printing

Ultra sheer is a light, floaty fabric for layered photo backdrops, ceremony styling, window displays and installations. Light passes through it, so colours look softer and anything behind the fabric stays visible. Choose it when you want printed sheer fabric that glows with daylight or uplighting rather than blocking the view.

Polyester Taffeta Fabric Printing

Polyester taffeta is a smooth woven fabric with a gentle sheen and a crisp feel. It looks more solid than sheer and suits indoor banners, wall hangings, drapes and custom fabric backdrop printing for brand walls and portrait areas.

FabricLook and feelBest forKeep in mind
AirmeshOpen mesh, lets air throughOutdoor and fence bannersMesh texture is visible up close
Ultra sheerLight, floaty, see-throughLayered backdrops, windows, stylingColours look softer and the background shows through
Polyester taffetaSmooth with a soft sheenIndoor banners, wall hangings, photo wallsStrong backlighting can still show through

How much does each fabric cost, and what is included?

Many people looking for custom printed fabric NZ suppliers want to know the full cost before they commit. Each product in this collection shows a complete price, not a replacement-print-only figure, so you can compare like with like. The final price depends on the option you select on the product page.

Some buyers start by pricing plain fabric by the metre and then arranging printing separately. Here, each order is priced as a printed piece in the option you choose, so there is no need to coordinate two suppliers.

Before you add to cart

  • Decide where the piece will hang and how it will be fixed.
  • Choose the fabric based on light, wind and how close people will stand.
  • Check the options and the lead time shown on each product page against your event date.
  • Ask for a quote if you need a size or quantity that is not listed.
ProductFabric typeComplete price
Airmesh Fabric Banner PrintingAirmeshFrom NZD 129
Ultra Sheer Fabric Backdrop PrintingUltra sheerFrom NZD 122
Polyester Taffeta Fabric PrintingPolyester taffetaFrom NZD 128

How do you get digital prints on fabric that look like your design?

Ordering printed fabric online can feel risky when you cannot touch the material first. A few steps keep the result close to what you planned.

  1. Prepare high-resolution artwork. Set it up at the proportions of the option you are ordering. Small web images can look soft once they are enlarged to backdrop size.
  2. Request a free 2D mockup. Use it to check your layout, cropping and placement before anything goes to print.
  3. Approve when you are happy. Nothing prints until you approve the artwork.
  4. Production. The design is dye-sublimated onto your chosen fabric. The lead time is shown on each product page.

Colour expectations

Screens glow and fabric does not, so the same file can look slightly different once printed. The fabric also changes the result. On ultra sheer, colours look lighter because light passes through the fabric. On taffeta, they appear richer and more solid. Keep this in mind when you choose dark or very pale designs.

Peace of mind

If a print error happens at our end, it is reprinted free. Custom-printed graphics are made to your approved artwork, so they cannot be returned after you approve the proof. Take your time checking the mockup before you sign off.

What should trade buyers know about wholesale digital fabric printing?

Event stylists, venue decorators, retail teams and photographers often reorder the same fabrics for new clients and seasons. They may also need several pieces for one install, such as a sheer backdrop paired with taffeta banners at an exhibition stand or trade show booth.

  • Quotes for larger orders: tell the team the fabrics, quantities and options you need. They can price the job as a whole.
  • Consistent fabric choices: sticking with the same fabric across repeat orders keeps the look uniform from event to event.
  • Planning around dates: production lead times are listed on each product page. Allow time for proof approval before your deadline.
  • Wider range: if your project grows into media walls, tension fabric frames or expo stands, Backdropsource also makes these, including PVC-free fabric options such as 600D eco polyester.

Your next step

Open the product page for the fabric that fits your project. Check the options, price and lead time, then upload your artwork or request a free 2D mockup. If you are unsure which fabric to choose, describe your venue, lighting and hanging method to the team for a recommendation before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is digital printing on fabric used for? +
Digital printing on fabric is used for photo backdrops, event banners, window displays, wall hangings and styled décor. Because the design prints straight from a file, it suits one-off pieces and full-colour artwork such as photos, gradients and brand patterns. In this collection, airmesh suits banners, ultra sheer suits light, layered backdrops, and polyester taffeta gives a smoother, more solid finish.
Is digital fabric printing cheaper than screen printing for one-off pieces? +
For one-off pieces and short runs, digital fabric printing is usually the more economical choice, because there are no screens to make for each colour. Screen printing tends to become competitive only on large runs of simple, few-colour designs. Each product here shows a complete price. For example, Ultra Sheer Fabric Backdrop Printing is complete from NZD 122.
Which fabric is best for an outdoor banner in windy conditions? +
Airmesh is generally the better choice for an outdoor banner where wind is likely. Its open weave lets air pass through instead of catching it like a sail, which reduces strain on fixings and fencing. Ultra sheer is better kept for sheltered or indoor styling. Polyester taffeta suits indoor banners and backdrops where you want a smooth, solid-looking print.
How see-through is printed sheer fabric? +
Printed sheer fabric is noticeably see-through, and that is the point. Light and shapes behind it stay visible, and colours look softer than on a solid fabric. That makes it lovely for layered backdrops, windows and uplit installations. If you need the design to hide what is behind it, polyester taffeta looks more solid, although strong backlighting can still show through lightweight fabric.
Can I use custom fabric backdrop printing for a wedding or photo backdrop? +
Yes, custom fabric backdrop printing is one of the most common uses for this collection. Ultra Sheer Fabric Backdrop Printing suits soft, layered backdrops for weddings and styled shoots. Polyester Taffeta Fabric Printing gives a smoother, more solid surface for logo walls and portrait areas. Check the options on each product page, and request a free 2D mockup to preview your layout first.
Does the Polyester Taffeta Fabric Printing price include the print? +
Yes, the listed price is the complete price for the printed fabric product, not a replacement print only. Polyester Taffeta Fabric Printing is complete from NZD 128. The final price depends on the option you select on the product page. If you need a size or quantity that is not listed, ask the team for a quote before you order.
Can I see a fabric sample before ordering digital fabric printing? +
Ask the Backdropsource team whether a swatch of the fabric you are considering is available before you place your order. Even without a swatch, you can request a free 2D mockup to check your layout, and nothing prints until you approve the artwork. Describing your venue, lighting and hanging method also helps the team recommend the most suitable fabric.
Will dye-sublimation make the fabric feel stiff? +
No, dye-sublimation does not leave a stiff or rubbery layer on the fabric. Heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with the polyester fibres, so the colour becomes part of the material. The fabric keeps its natural drape and feel. That matters for sheer backdrops and décor pieces that need to hang and move softly.
Can digital prints on fabric be used for décor like wall hangings and drapes? +
Yes, digital prints on fabric work well for décor such as wall hangings, drapes and table styling, as long as the fabric suits the use. Polyester taffeta is usually the best fit for smooth décor pieces, while ultra sheer works for airy, layered effects. Check the options on each product page, and ask for a quote if your piece needs a custom size.