Starting an industry
I developed this range of photo backdrops in 2014, quietly selling to bloggers through 2016 and officially launched at the end of that year, when nothing at all existed in the UK in print.
At the time the worldwide backdrop market was a very small handful of artists producing bespoke paintings or cheap banner vinyl backdrops printed from artificial and stock imagery. I saw the opportunity to create a collection from my original images using my vast selection of surfaces and props, as well as hunting for interesting textures on my travels.
I set about sourcing a high quality, (actually) lay-flat rollable material combined with a technically advanced print process. A product that would stand alongside traditional materials in the studio and champion local British manufacturing. No mass production with no ability to react to photographic trends, custom needs and shoot deadlines. Allowing us to offer the most eclectic range of original designs and help change future fashions in photography backgrounds. Led by the professionals needing affordable robust surfaces, reliable shoot after shoot and creating an indispensable resource for the discerning phone photographer.
Many have since followed but these will always remain the original UK photo backdrops.
A now 500 and ever growing collection of surfaces and textures - digitally printed as photo backdrops.
Designed for the professional and aspiring photographer & videographer these photo backdrops are ideal for product and food photographers, bloggers, content creators, agencies, makers, crafters and more.
I have learnt so much in the last 10 years going from my kitchen table to a beautiful studio in Dorset, investing in the latest technology to evolve the industry standard print quality. Used by international brands, photographers on our doorstep to creators in New Zealand, international brands, inspiring bloggers, supermarkets, publishers and even at Gatwick Airport.
I always meticulously check and hand pack each backdrop with the help of my sister.
Style and shoot, roll and store.
Each one is a surface with a story, ready for your to tell your own.
“I went for a launch and learn approach to a project that has been a dream for a long time. I want to challenge the perception of vinyl type material, with a carefully curated collection of designs with depth and texture, in a digital print. A portable collection for every type of studio, an accessible but aspirational high quality product.
I never imagined 10 years later I would work with my sister, moving and growing our studio for the third time and sending backdrops to clients all over the world.
For the professional photographer in a studio and on location, as well as others who take photos in their own home. I wanted to produce a range that can be as versatile as possible, big enough for flat lay compositions and clamped or hung when used vertically. My collections are made from my photographs and edits and each has a story behind them. It’s what makes our designs unique and authentic to us.
Many have been inspired to start their own businesses. I will forever want to challenge the backdrop market pushing our creative and innovative boundaries but with the most personal service. Proud to be a benchmark. At the heart of this business is two sisters and creative collections with champions and artistic friends. Just wait until you see what is next!”
Terms, conditions and FAQs
What material do you use & how do I look after them?
Lucy’s standard size backdrops measure 2ft by 3ft (approx 60cm by 90cm) and are £27.50 plus VAT in the UK.
The backdrops are larger than the standard A1 vinyl backdrops you might see in other online stores. Lucy uses the backdrops in her own commercial work for clients and felt those extra inches are needed to give you the perfect table top size to shoot with!
They are printed in the South West of England. They are all large scale format prints of an original photograph shot by Lucy. Printed using the latest wide format technology.
Our latest collection here are shot at 1:1 scale ideal for close up work. They are a single surface captured in a single image at the highest quality 100 megapixel resolution.
Please take a look at the close up product images of the backdrop in use for more detail.
The larger prints are an enlargement of Lucy’s original image and work well as a traditional backdrop. They will not be a 1:1 print.
Each backdrop is checked by eye fastidiously by Lucy and her sister Natalie. They are hand packed with care and attention.
We are committed to being a UK based business championing local manufacturing and so you won’t find mass producing quality or unsustainable continual discounted prices here. We are producing the highest quality backdrops at fair prices with our wonderful print partner. We print in small quantities with a local 3rd generation family firm where we have daily (sometimes hourly) contact. Lucy sees the backdrops being printed, we endlessly test new designs and we can often print with a moments notice. They subscribe to Lucy’s above and beyond mentality when it comes to customer service. We can keep growing our extensive design library, of original textures, because we have such a great partnership approach.
CBL backdrops are printed in 7 different sizes:
Quarter (Miniature) 1ft by 1.5ft £10.50+VAT in UK
Half (Mini) 1.35ft by 2ft £16.50+VAT in UK
Standard (Table top) 2ft by 3ft size £27.50+VAT in UK
XL (Double) 3ft by 4ft 4” £59.95+VAT in UK
XL Plus 3ft 5” by 5ft 1” £69.95+ VAT in the UK
XXL (Portrait backdrops) 4ft 4” by 6ft 4” £79.95+VAT in UK.
XXL Plus (Studio backdrops) 4ft 8” by 8ft £99.95+VAT in UK.
For details of the XL and XXL prints please email mama@capturebylucy.com and Lucy can create a custom listing for you and discuss the shipping costs for your custom order.
The XXLs will be best for larger scenes, or if you are looking for portrait photography backdrops or newborn photography backdrops. Please contact Lucy for more information and shipping costs.
Printed on smooth, durable material they are wipeable and roll for easy storage in a postal cardboard tube. Surfaces you can move into the best light in your home, studio or office and that you won't trip over or dent. Lucy uses a grey backed lightweight PET, for complete opacity meaning if you tape or hang them in front of a window no light will pass through the backdrop. The material is wipe clean (with water only), anti curl lay flat material and designed for digital printing. The material has a smooth feel but is made up of a compact structure of woven material and will react to cold or extreme hot temperatures.
To encourage your backdrop to lie flat if stored in a cold room, you may want to use a small piece of tape in each corner to secure to your table top if using as a surface while it relaxes.
Please do ask Lucy to show you the backdrop if you want to see it on video or photo before purchasing.
They are real floorboards, real surfaces, textures, edited original images and feature imperfections such as knots in the wood grain and marks from wear and tear to help add interest, depth and atmosphere to your photographs.
I have heard bad things about vinyl why are yours different?
For starters never ever accept any streaks or banding in your printed backdrops. Return them immediately and invest in the best on offer here. It is the telltale sign the quality of the print inks and technology are well past their best.
The smooth PET material is higher quality than traditional PVC banner vinyl material commonly used for photo backdrops, especially those that are mass produced. No ridges which give away it’s not a real surface in your imagery. No snapping back on itself when you unroll it. It is designed to be rolled, so try not to pinch it, it’s not foldable but will be wonderful for years and years as a rollable surface.
The material Lucy prints on was hard to find. Not too thick like cheap vinyl type flooring material, which results in heavy items leaving an indentation mark. And not too thin that you can visibly see a ripple as you do with paper backdrops when unrolled because the material won’t lie flat.
No texture. It is the instant give-away that it’s a backdrop. Because no real surface is evenly textured. Lucy creates natural shadows and highlights in the images that she prints to create realistic replicas of the surfaces from her travels.
Lucy prints on a material that is exclusive to CBL Backdrops in the UK.
All smooth products will reflect some light but that's a good thing, you want to be able to create natural shadows to ensure your backdrop looks true to life. However, Lucy has sourced a material that uses the woven structure to diffuse light and reduce glare as much as possible. Lucy photographs them in natural light for the imagery on the website, but they are used around the world by photographers who shoot in an artificial light.
If you are shooting smaller products please use one of our quarter or half size backdrops.
Can you print on a solid board?
We could but we choose not to. Lucy always wanted to produce a portable rollable product. From years of carting backdrops to shoots on locations and damaging them. Our backdrops can be rolled for storage in their postal tube and popped in a boot, bag or suitcase.
How can I clean the backdrops?
Treat them nicely, don't use them as a chopping board, place food stuffs on a surface in between, don't soak them, wipe them gently only with a damp cloth with water.
Be sensible - don't put a hot pan or mug directly on them. They are a printed product so while durable when cared for, they will mark with heavy colouring such as cherry, curry powder, turmeric, pomegranate or beetroot juice for example. If you use tape to hang them vertically do not use an adhesive tape that will leave an imprint or residue. Masking tape should not harm the print surface. Any printed surface can scratch when objects are dragged over them. To keep yours in their best condition place items rather than dragging them.
Lucy never recommends using anything other than water to wipe them with. Please do not use any cleaning fluid, it could and probably will damage the printed surface. We cannot list every food product that might stain the backdrops and recommend using a prop board, plate etc to limit direct placement. Roll them carefully back up after use and store them out of direct sunlight when flat.
Lucy never recommends rolling the print side outwards and instead always roll inwards, protecting the printed surface from day to day dirt and dust. And for natural daylight which may discolour the backdrops over time.
Try not to crease your backdrop and avoid pinching by rolling and unrolling rather than lifting up like a tablecloth. Please don’t keep your tube in extreme heat or in direct high temperatures. This will result in the material becoming wavy when unrolled and will not flatten as well as discolouration in direct sunlight. In colder weather they will lie flat after warming up in room temperature.
Do you sell on any market place sites?
CBL backdrops are only available to buy here at capturebylucy.com. As a small producer it is not possible to compete with heavily discounted, mass produced products offered on other market place sites like eBay or Amazon.
Lucy is regularly approached by mass manufacturers in China offering cheap as chip prices but with absolutely no hands on contact over quality and months in transit on a boat. No thank you.
We don’t subscribe to click bait offers and nor are we a discount warehouse. These are worth the investment.
Pile it high sell it cheaper isn’t our ethos. We want to pay our printer well, as a partner, and keep production as fresh as possible. No backdrops are rolled and stored.
Your loyal custom is greatly appreciated.
When are orders dispatched & delivered?
Mainland UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail First Class. This is not a tracked service but we can see from the Royal Mail reference number when a delivery is attempted.
Capture by Lucy® offers delivery within mainland UK and international delivery worldwide via a tracked and signed or tracked or signed service, depending on the countries availability. We are sorry to say that we cannot ship to any country currently on the sanction list. Your order will be refunded.
Orders are rolled and posted in cardboard tubes, which are useful for storing your backdrops after you use them. We ship up to 7 backdrops in each tube and orders of 8 or more backdrops will be shipped in larger diameter or multiple tubes for ease of handling and to provide the most economical shipping costs within the Royal Mail weight restrictions.
Please note the weight ranges for Special Delivery and DHL Express International shipping will vary. Please contact us for urgent shipping.
You can cancel your order anytime up until you receive your shipping confirmation. Once shipped you can refuse delivery and once your order is returned to Lucy, we can process a refund.
How quickly can you ship?
You can choose Special Delivery next day UK at checkout and DHL offer express, pre 9am, pre 12pm and next day options to many international locations.
Lucy even put a set of backdrops printed the same morning in a taxi to London from Somerset once to make a shoot deadline!
We generally allow c24 hours to hand check and pack your order but always ring Lucy on 07799783434 if you need your order super fast.
Every backdrop is handled and checked by Lucy and Natalie. We would never ship direct from print, and invest in stock of the standard sizes in our custom built CBL backdrop storage in our studio. We don’t have a daily cut off time for shipping or “normal working hours” so always get in touch. If Lucy can check, pack and post it in time she will.
We do not mass produce but use a local family printer based near Lucy.
We print custom orders every day at the larger sizes as well as running stock of the standard sizes. You will receive a dispatch notification by email as soon as your order is shipped.
Please note Capture by Lucy® is not responsible for any customs or taxes charges on international orders and orders cannot be refunded if held at customs.
Please check your local VAT office what import VAT will be due in your country outside the UK within the EU.
RETURNS
Returns are covered under distance selling legislation. Please note you are responsible for the return postage. If you need to return your backdrop please get in touch within 28 days to process your return. Your backdrop must be unused for a full refund. A full refund less the original postage will only be given if the backdrop is free from any damage after inspection. Custom artwork orders are non-refundable. If you would like to exchange your order the additional postage cost for the replacement backdrop is also the responsibility of the buyer and will be invoiced separately. We recommend to get a proof of postage and/or tracked delivery and cannot be responsible for the refund if the returned backdrop is not safely delivered to us.
Please note custom artwork or custom colour designs as well as sample mini sizes are excluded.
Your backdrops are packed by hand and checked thoroughly for any quality issues. If your backdrop arrives damaged please send an email with photographs of the damage within 48 hours to backdropstore@capturebylucy.com. We can only ship to the address listed on the order. In the event the shipping address is incomplete you will be asked to cover any additional postage to resend your order. Thank you for your understanding.
Non delivery - if you do not receive your backdrops within 28 days please do get in touch. There are customs related delays during CV times. CBL Backdrops will not resend orders successfully delivered but that cannot be located over 28 days since the date of the signed delivery.
BREXIT - The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement means that duties will not be applied as a zero tariff has been confirmed for goods sent between GB and the EU. Please check your local VAT office as import VAT will be due in your country rather than applied at checkout now.
If you have any questions please email mama@capturebylucy.com or phone Lucy 07799 783434.
The Brexit trade zero tariff deal means there are no customs duty fees applied to orders and that we are no longer required to charge VAT to our EU customers at the UK rate of 20%. You will now see a 0% rate on your invoice. However, the VAT will be collected by your Government as an import VAT instead. I am unable to process this at the point of sale.
Please do check your with your local VAT office what you will be charged an import VAT fee on delivery at the national rate in your country.
Please allow extra patience as our European couriers work through the new paperwork and processes. The local courier will charge a handling fee. Please note your order can only be refunded once the backdrops are returned to Lucy, in the event you refuse delivery.
Instead of keeping the price the same to our EU customers as our UK customers (which include a 20% VAT charge) we reduced our main store price from early April 2021.
More information is available here.
Discount Codes
Lucy has never subscribed to inflating prices in order to offer a permanent pop up discount or buy one get one free type offers which are often loss leaders and unsustainable long term. Lucy is committed to producing a high quality product for a fair price and absolutely values your support. Lucy does share discount codes from time to time and do always get in touch. These are valid in the main store but the Outlet and custom orders are excluded as those are either already discounted or printed to order especially for you.
Can I buy a digital file to download and print myself?
Lucy understands why it might seem a better option to buy a cheaper digital backdrop file and print it yourself. But you can’t buy them here. Every “white” material, paper, vinyl, card, have different white point. Which means that when you print a digital file it may not print like your screen version. And that ends up with you being disappointed. All machines print slightly differently too and many local companies are not set up to print one backdrop, so charge a small fortune! What seems like a better option suddenly becomes frustrating and often never actually printed.
Take a photo yourself, of a texture you love instead. Lucy and Natalie hope there is a design that is perfect for you and if not get In touch and Lucy can print you a custom bespoke backdrop, for just and additional £5 (plus VAT in the UK).
Most local print companies will stock a traditional banner vinyl which we won’t use. We are here to save you the trouble and the heartache of spending money on something you might never use.
Can I buy a samples?
Yes absolutely. You can purchase a sample of any of the designs. These are £2 (+vat in the UK) and standard shipping applies. We also have samples at full size available, however the designs will vary from time to time. Please get in touch with Lucy mama@capturebylucy.com.
Disclaimer & Privacy
Lucy has worked hard to produce a high quality product and hopes that the descriptions and imagery on this website is as accurate as possible. The images are all shot in natural daylight using a Canon 5D Mark III.
Your personal information is never shared with third parties. Capture by Lucy® will only contact you by email if you have chosen to subscribe by email to the updates and newsletter in line with the new GDPR rules. All personal data that is collected through the backdrop store is password-protected. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Copyright
Lucy retains full copyright of all the images and copy used in the backdrop store. Enjoy using the backdrops in your social media, blog, product and shop photography.
The backdrops can be used to create photographic logos, header images and for images for feature/article commissions in print and online. You are not permitted to scan or reproduce the backdrops to create your own backdrop product. The Capture by Lucy brand, products, packaging, photos, videos and website are protected by intellectual property law. These intellectual property rights include trademarks (registered and unregistered), unregistered design rights, copyright and unfair competition law.
Company Reg No. 11241670 VAT number 310170369 EORI GB310170369000.
Capture by Lucy® CBL Backdrops® Lucy’s Backdrops® Backdrops by Lucy® Capture Backdrops®
are registered trademarks in the UK and EU.
Love them like Lucy does and look after them to keep them as your photographic secret weapon for years to come!
Testimonials
“I’ve been shooting on them today and they’re great! Love the quality and how thick and durable they feel. I love the white floorboards especially. The marble has been very useful today. Even Luke came and asked where I shoot it to get white floorboards! He was impressed.”
“Just to let you know that we’ve received your backdrops and our team really love them! We’ve shot our first book on the wonderful backdrop and it looks stunning! We’ve recommended you to other departments too as these are just great.”
“Discovering Lucy’s backdrops has been such a blessing! I’ve purchased a number of her beautiful designs and it has really elevated my food photography & styling, adding beautiful texture and depth to any photoshoot, both for myself and my clients.
The backdrops are beautiful, sturdy and so easy to clean and store, plus they come in a very handy packaging, easy to transfer for shoots abroad. As an added bonus, Lucy herself provides one of the best customer services ever- she personally oversees everything and on a couple occasions I needed something posted asap she more than delivered, and when there was an issue with the post abroad, she was immensely helpful.
I would wholeheartedly recommend her backdrops- they really are one of the best investments you can make, kinda like the gift that keeps on giving! Thanks a million, Lucy!”
“Your backgrounds are gorgeous and I love the backing to them. They are even better than I imagined.
I travel a lot, and needed consistent backgrounds to shoot food on and they are PERFECTION! I’ve been looking for so long for something like this.
Thank you very much. Stay safe and healthy! Ill tag you guys for sure when I post photos with them, everyone deserves to know about them! ”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so pleased I found your website and decided to order several of your beautiful backdrops! I was over the moon with them.
They worked so well for my most recent photoshoot at the weekend I now plan to redo some more photos on my website with these funky new coloured backgrounds. I am sure I will be back for more soon. ”
“You’ve gone above and beyond with this order. I so appreciate it!! I had the client in my studio yesterday and showed them all the options for their ‘tabletop’…and then showed them the Beaten Path backdrop on your website (I told them this was my preferred option…but I was waiting on delivery) …and they said they were happy to put off the shoot until it arrived as they feel its the right direction to go. Phew!! Just some feedback for you. I recently ordered some backdrops from a local supplier, similar size to yours, and while the image are OK - the quality of the vinyl is terrible. It’s super flimsy and hard to work with!! Your product is far superior in quality of material and quality of image. Thank you!
My question is…whyyyyyy do you live so far away!!! Would love to get a whole lot of your range in large sizes…but will have to do bit by bit…
Can’t wait to receive your gorgeous work!!”
“I am seriously so impressed. I’d seen them on a few people’s IG, but they have a different style of photography than I do, so I wasn’t sure how it would transfer. I am all about texture and shadows and directional light, even many “real” backgrounds can look a bit flat. This is just perfect for what I was missing in my arsenal and is safely stowed and not a trip hazard. You should be so proud.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so pleased I found your website and decided to order several of your beautiful backdrops! I was over the moon with them.
They worked so well for my most recent photoshoot at the weekend I now plan to redo some more photos on my website with these funky new coloured backgrounds. I am sure I will be back for more soon. ”
“I am a commercial photographer, working primarily in the field of Advertising product photography and high end studio production hero-shots. As of late
I have been working (partially forcefully due to covid-19 lockdown, and partially because I am always curious to explore new paths and approaches in photography fields) quite a lot with food and produce shots. Most of the time to my enjoyment. And for such photographic endeavors - I needed to acquire various kinds of backdrops and props. But the backdrops turned out to be an issue. While having a plethora of props at my disposal, I was not satisfied with many backdrop samples I have aquired. Most of them were poor quality resolution-wise or poorly printed, and the others were printed on a medium that had a memory effect and refused to unroll to a flat stated after being shipped to me rolled in a tube. Your backdrops are the complete opposite of my previous experiences! I am so glad I took the advice of various members of FB communities that have recommended your backdrops unanimously! I will be definitely buying more backdrops soon! It was marveulous! No printing offset texture is seen (like in other backdrops I’ve tried) despite the fact I shoot with razor sharp lenses and heavy 50-100mp GFX cameras!
Thank you again and wishing you to stay safe and healthy!”
“I came across Capture By Lucy when I was looking for some larger backdrops to use in my product photography. Her backdrops are beautiful and photograph so well. They’re of excellent quality and the larger ones come in a strong tube which stores them safe. Plus the customer service is great, especially as upon two different orders I required them urgently and Lucy did indeed get them out way sooner than I thought possible. Will definitely be an ongoing customer - thanks so much!”
“As a product and stock photographer, I have used many different photography backgrounds. Whilst I loved the idea of vinyl backgrounds, they always failed to impress. You could see the texture in the vinyl and the printing quality was poor.
I discovered Capture by Lucy’s range recently and I’m a total convert! The smooth, anti-curl vinyl is top-notch. And, the wide range of colours and prints is very impressive. I’ve already placed two orders and I’m sure I will be ordering more in the future.”
“I just thought I’d let you know that your backdrops have totally transformed our photography – we’ll definitely be back for more soon, so that we get a nice selection of colours on the site!
If you have a look through the hampers on our website, you can see the new ‘all year round’ range photography popping up, and the difference is staggering, vs. clinical grey backgrounds.”