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A DIY spandex screen uses matte white stretch fabric as its front viewing layer, often pulled over black spandex to stop light reaching the wall. Black spandex alone is a backing or masking layer, never the front projection face. Fabric width limits the practical diagonal and sheen affects apparent hotspotting. The five cards comprise primary white front-face fabrics plus visibly labelled close alternatives. The primary choices are current priced white stretch fabrics that can make a tensioned screen. The final two: wide white event spandex is not purpose-made projection fabric, while black Milliskin is useful only behind a white viewing layer. Stretch each side evenly and run a projected image test before trimming fabric.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spandex Collection Milliskin Matte White | $8 per yard | Amazon |
| 2 | Fabric Direct White Spandex Fabric | $9.99 per yard | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Rose Brand 120 inch White Spandex | $31.25 per cut yard | Amazon |
| 4 | Close alternative: Spandex World Milliskin Matte Black | $9 per yard | Amazon |
| 5 | Close alternative: Rose Brand White-260 Front Projection Screen | $47 per cut yard | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Spandex Collection Milliskin Matte White
Spandex Collection sells this matte white Milliskin at $8 per yard for a tensioned DIY viewing face. The listing specifies 80% nylon, 20% spandex, four-way stretch and 60-inch width. Test a projected image before cutting the fabric for a frame.
- 80% nylon and 20% spandex
- 60-inch fabric width
- Elastic stretch in all directions
- Available by the yard
- Matte white viewing face
- Confirm available yardage before ordering
Fabric Direct White Spandex Fabric
Fabric Direct currently lists this white nylon-spandex fabric at $9.99 per yard. Its 60-inch width is suitable for a small tensioned DIY frame, but the subtle sheen should be projected onto before buying yardage for a large screen.
- 60-inch actual width
- Nylon-spandex construction
- Stretch knit construction
- Current yardage source
- Four-way stretch
- Subtle sheen may affect image
Rose Brand 120 inch White Spandex
Rose Brand lists its 120-inch white spandex at $31.25 per cut yard. The width can avoid a center seam on a large DIY screen, although the product is event fabric rather than a screen-specified coating. Test the finish with the actual projector.
- 120-inch width
- Traditional stretch spandex
- White variant
- Very wide seamless option
- Current cut price
- Not purpose-made screen fabric
Close alternative: Spandex World Milliskin Matte Black
This is a close alternative because black Milliskin belongs behind a white spandex face rather than serving as the front projection surface. It is useful for a two-layer frame where reducing light transmission matters.
- Matte black fabric
- Black Milliskin elastic knit
- Backing-layer role
- Reduces wall reflection
- Useful black underlayer for light control
- Not a white viewing face
Close alternative: Rose Brand White-260 Front Projection Screen
This is a close alternative because White-260 is dedicated front-projection PVC instead of spandex. It is the better material choice for a builder who values a screen-specified surface over the stretch and acoustical transparency of fabric.
- White front-projection PVC
- Ten-foot screen width
- High-gain material
- Projection-specific design
- PVC screen surface sold by cut length
- Does not stretch like spandex
Buying tips
- Use matte white fabric as the viewing face.
- Use black fabric only behind white fabric.
- Measure usable width before setting screen diagonal.
- Tension opposite sides of the frame evenly.
- Project a test image before trimming material.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.