FAQs

  • Signed Contract
  • Signed Rental Agreement Terms & Conditions
  • $100 non-refundable pre payment per backdrop or drapery.
  • Method of payment for the entire rental.
    • Grosh accepts VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS or DISCOVER.
    • All checks must be received 14-days prior to shipment
    • All purchase orders must be received and approved for the rental/shipping by Grosh within 10 days of placing the order.

All orders must be finalized with your Backdrop Consultant within 14 days of placing the initial reservation. (**Payment must be received at least 14 days PRIOR to shipment**)

A backdrop is made out of muslin material (a lightweight canvas). All backdrops are prepared with a light “muslin coat” prior to painting to adhere paint better. A water-base acrylic paint is used for all current backdrops to keep a sharp/vibrant look while keeping the backdrop as lightweight as possible. *Some of our backdrops are printed on state of the art large format printers using modern fabrics for maximum image quality and ease of us. Some of Grosh’s vintage inventory has been dyed. Certain backdrops may have scrim/netting adhered in certain areas.

Not necessarily, all backdrops and drapery Grosh rents are soft goods. The material can be folded or rolled from the sides, top or bottom to accommodate your venue (in many cases you can adjust to fit the height and width of a proscenium or stage).

In many instances, proper lighting can minimize the vintage looking backdrop. When using a vintage backdrop onstage, the overall look far outweighs any small inaccuracy a backdrop has when looking at it from 2 feet away.

The colors depicted on the website may not always be accurate when viewing the tangible backdrop/drape. Computer monitors/printer colors all vary in color separation. When photographing items, the Grosh team lights each backdrop and drape with four to six 600-watt lights to simulate stage/event lighting.

All backdrops and drapery Grosh rents have webbing/grommets and tie lines along the top (every 12 inches) of each piece. The ties make it easy to hang the backdrop from an appropriate overhead suspension apparatus your venue uses.

  1. Slip one of the tie lines through an eyelet or a chain link on the track carrier. 
  2. Then tie the two lines into a bow, allowing one set of tie lines to a carrier.
  1. Using an “A” frame ladder, tie the tie lines around the pipe from one end of the pipe batten to the other. 
  2. Fasten the lines as you would tie a shoestring, lifting and tying as you go. If you feel resistance as you lift the backdrop to tie it, do not force, jerk, or tug on the backdrop. Investigate the problem before you continue. If the resistance is caused by the sheer weight of the backdrop, have a second or third person on the floor lift the drop. This will relieve stress on the backdrop. 
  1. Lower your pipe batten to the floor. 
  2. Choose where you will work from either one end of the pipe batten or from the middle. 
  3. Starting at one end or in the middle, begin working your way out, and tie all of the tie lines in a bow (as you would a shoestring). 
  4. Slowly raise the pipe up off the floor, using the counterweight system. Make sure you add weight to the arbor to counterbalance the weight of the backdrop.

Grosh recommends hanging your item(s) 24 hours ahead of time prior to your event date. This could help in reducing any wrinkles or creases in the rented items. **TIP A pipe pocket is included on many of our backdrops and drapery. You may easily run a 1/2″ pvc or emt (electrical metal tubing) through the bottom of the item CAREFULLY. This will add a bit more weight and pull the drop taught for a smoother look.

When receiving your rented item, take time in your preparatory steps to make sure the area is clean before you unroll the drop. If debris, sharp objects, dirt, oil or liquids are in the area, you run the risk of damaging the item. Please review our care and maintenance page to for details on receiving and preparing your item/area.

Rest assured that Grosh Backdrops and Drapery sets the industry standard for fire safety. Grosh is licensed by the California State Fire Marshal as a certified General Applicator of flame retardant. All of our drops and drapery are certified with the highest safety rating possible and are tested and registered with the State Fire Marshal. Our drops meet NFPA 701 testing as well as the stricter fire codes for the state of California. While each state has its own codes and standards, the strict requirements for a CA certificate make it generally accepted throughout the US. Grosh can supply a certificate of flame resistance if required. Please contact our administrative coordinator for this item at (877) 363-7998.

Grosh Scenic Rentals uses Fed Ex shipping services standardly. Determining shipping time frames/levels are established upon required dates when the renter needs the drop in hand. (Grosh cannot be held responsible for interruption of service for circumstances beyond our control. This includes any freight carriers not meeting deadlines at their fault or for reasons beyond their control. Grosh Scenic Rentals is not responsible for additional costs relating to crews hanging or taking down backdrops/drapes at your location for delayed, misrouted or any other circumstances out of our control.)

Due to high demand, our Seasonal backdrops shipping in November and December will be shipped via Express service only.

Grosh Scenic Rentals ships items directly from our warehouse in Hollywood, CA or Evansville, IN. The Grosh site now offers tracking of all orders placed online by entering your 5-6 digit order number on the Tracking Page. Our carriers also offer e-mail or fax confirmation of your order including the tracking number. Please look for this to be received the day after the scheduled shipment. For further tracking information for Fed Ex, visit their site www.fedex.com.

Upon opening your box, you will find documents inside that ARE NOT TO BE DISCARDED. Please review the instructions on these documents. Grosh must receive the rented items on or before the date listed on your contract. Grosh recommends shipping back via UPS, FED EX or DHL. -Your freight carrier must be called 24 hours in advance to schedule a pick-up for the following business day. -Freight carriers do not standardly move items on weekends unless specified by the client. -Freight carriers do not move items on holidays. **Please take the aforementioned into account when allotting time for return service.**

A – Like New. No visible damage or repairs. Backdrop is usable for all venues.
B – In newer condition with minor wear which may include repairs and cracking in some of the painted areas. May show fading in darker areas of drop. Backdrop is usable for all venues.
C – Backdrop has been rented several times and has mild cracking of the paint. Will have repairs and stains visible from closer distances and under certain lighting. Usable for most venues and can be improved with proper lighting. Best used on stage and some distance from the audience.
D – Vintage backdrop with medium to heavy cracking in the paint and/or fading of the design. Will have some visible repairs. Can be improved with proper lighting and/or props. Rents “as is”.

Read more about conditions here.

All items must be returned to Grosh the way they were received. Our experienced warehouse takes time to fold and prepare each item shipped out. You will notice that all items are folded carefully and shipped in plastic bags and sturdy boxes. Please fold the backdrop carefully on a clean floor, place in the plastic bag supplied return it in a suitable box. Many boxes can be used for round-trip service. In instances when the freight company mishandles a box, the renter is responsible for supplying a new shipping box for the return freight.

Upon ordering a backdrop/drape, your backdrop consultant should have discussed a pick-up time with you. Grosh’s standard pick-up times are between 8:00 am – 3:00 pm daily. When picking up, come to the rear of our office at 8050 San Fernando Rd. Sun Valley, CA 91352. All pick ups are done at the back of our building (industrial complex); you may enter the parking lot gates off of N. Clybourn Ave and park in front of the left loading door. Returning of your rental items will be at the same rear loading door.

If you want to take proper care of your backdrop, you should inspect the backdrop as soon as you receive it, let it hang for at least 24 hours to reduce wrinkles, and never fix the teared backdrop on your own.

Please be sure to inspect your backdrop within 48 hours. Do not hesitate to contact Grosh Rentals if you have any questions or concerns about the backdrop so we have ample time to assist you.

When you receive the backdrop: 

  1. Take it out of the sealed plastic bag and untie the lines that hold the backdrop in a rolled position. Hang on to these items – they will be required for the return trip. 
  2. Take a good look at the backdrop. Notice the exact way it is folded and rolled. You will want to remember this so you can duplicate it after the drop is used and you are ready to pack it up. (Ever notice that things do not go back together the same way that they came apart?? Well, our backdrops do – just pay attention when you’re unpacking it, and you will not have a problem!) 
  3. On a clean, dry surface free of protruding objects, unroll the backdrop with one person positioned on either side. 
  4. Unfold the first flap, then each person should grab a corner of the next flap. 
  5. With a flap in hand, start walking across the floor. 

Grosh recommends letting the drop hang for 24 hours or more to reduce any wrinkles. Placing a PVC or one-inch metal pipe in the bottom pipe pocket, or using clamps to stretch out the sides and top of the backdrop, can also be helpful. Please do not attempt to steam the backdrop as this will cause it to stain. 

Notify Grosh Rentals right away of any damage, and if it is outside our business hours please leave a message. In the meantime, you can put a piece of gaffer tape on the back of the tear to hold it until the end of your show. Do not attempt to sew the drop yourself.

  1. Fold the top portion of the backdrop over until the desired height is acquired. 
  2. Then with rubber-tipped “grip clamps,” clamp the folded part of the backdrop to the pipe batten.

In the event the backdrop is too wide, simply fold back the side or sides of the backdrop that you do not want to be seen and tie the lines at the top.

Clean the surface under the backdrop, and then fold under the bottom portion of the backdrop. A pipe can be laid on the back side of the backdrop to give it weight. Paper or plastic should be laid on the floor where the face of the backdrop will make contact with the floor.

Keep your backdrop away from oil, grease, and food in general, do not step on or drive over the backdrop, and do not expose a backdrop to harsh weather conditions, such as rain or snow. Also, avoid dragging the backdrop over the floor, and never use staples or nails on it. 

Read more about it here

Returns

  • Find the return label in the backdrop box
  • Check the numbers on the label so you know where to ship it (If a skew number starts with S or D, returns to California; if it starts with ES or ED return to Indiana
  • Drop the item at the local FedEx facility or schedule a pick-up (schedule your pick-up at least one business day in advance)

Read more about our return process.

How to Return a Rented Backdrop to Groshs Warehouse

Backdrop Conditions

To better assist our customers when renting items from Grosh’s vast inventory, we have rated all of our items by condition level. Please make yourself aware of the condition of each piece rented from Grosh.

  • A – Like New. No visible damage or repairs. Backdrop is usable for all venues.

  • B – In newer condition with minor wear which may include repairs and cracking in some of the painted areas. May show fading in darker areas of drop. Backdrop is usable for all venues.

  • C – Backdrop has been rented several times and has mild cracking of the paint. Will have repairs and stains visible from closer distances and under certain lighting. Usable for most venues and can be improved with proper lighting. Best used on stage and some distance from the audience.

  • D – Vintage backdrop with medium to heavy cracking in the paint and/or fading of the design. Will have some visible repairs. Can be improved with proper lighting and/or props. Rents “as is”.

    Read more about conditions here.

Grosh Backdrops Drapery