At Art of the Event, we build custom props and stage setups for various events. Picking the right materials significantly affects how the final piece looks and works. Here’s a look at what we use most often in our workshop.
Wood
Wood helps us build strong frames, stage sets, and custom furniture for busy events. We use pine for frames that need to be light but strong. For smooth surfaces that take paint well, we choose MDF boards.
Best for: Stage backdrops, booth walls, and furniture pieces.
Pro tip: We build with lightweight pine inside and cover it with thin panels outside. This keeps the weight down but still looks great.
Acrylic
Clear plastic sheets (acrylic) give us the look of glass without the weight or risk of breaking. We cut them cleanly, bend them with heat, and polish them to shine. Many of our custom displays use acrylic for a modern feel.
Best for: Display cases, light-up signs, and see-through dividers.
Pro tip: Adding colored lights behind frosted acrylic creates soft glows in any brand color.
Fabric
Fabrics add softness and color to hard event spaces and help with sound problems in big rooms. Our team uses many kinds, from heavy velvet to light, flowing materials, for ceiling treatments.
Best for: Drapes, backdrops, ceiling covers, and stage curtains.
Pro tip: All our fabrics are treated to resist fire, meeting safety rules for public events.
Metal
When we need something strong or industrial-looking, we use metal. Aluminum works great because it’s strong but not too heavy. Our fabrication team shapes it into frames, stands, and modern design pieces.
Best for: Support frames, outdoor builds, and sleek furniture.
Pro tip: Brushed metal finishes don’t show fingerprints like shiny ones.
Foam
Foam lets us make big, light props that look like much heavier objects. We carve dense foam boards into almost any shape, then coat them to last longer. The experts at Nparallel note that foam is perfect for creating oversized branded elements.
Best for: Big props, carved shapes, and 3D signs.
Pro tip: Our special coatings make foam tough enough to use many times.
PVC and Vinyl
These plastic materials give us waterproof, lightweight options for many builds. PVC cuts and joins easily. Vinyl wraps let us add graphics to almost any surface without making permanent changes.
Best for: Quick-build frames, signs, and places that might get wet.
Pro tip: We can print graphics onto many PVC materials, saving time on big displays.
Special Finishes
The final touches often make the most significant impact. Our painters can make foam look like stone or plastic look like metal. According to WhiteClouds, professional finishes turn simple materials into stunning props.
Best for: Creating realistic looks and protecting outdoor pieces.
Pro tip: We use fast-drying paints that don’t smell strongly, perfect for last-minute fixes.
How We Work
Most of our custom builds use several materials together. Our team knows which materials work best for each job, from one-time event props to pieces you’ll use for years.
Consider how custom-built pieces could make your space more special when planning your next event. From stage designs that wow crowds to photo spots that get people talking, the right materials can turn any space into something guests will remember.
Need help with your next event? Contact us to talk about what we can build for you.