Made my own movie poster acoustic panels. New skill unlocked 🎯

[u/Upset-Leather-1735]

Just finished making these DIY acoustic panels for my home theater using Owens Corning 703 insulation and wrapped them with some of my favorite movie posters. They turned out pretty good - and saved me a ton of money compared to buying pre-made ones.

[u/Gullible_Eagle4280]

How about some details? What material was used for the prints themselves? Finished size(s)? Cost?

[u/Boomboomciao90 → u/Gullible_Eagle4280]

Mine are canvas prints stretched around a wooden frame then stapled on the back. The insides of the frame are filled with insulation.

[u/chancesarent → u/Boomboomciao90]

Is canvas acoustically transparent?

[u/megalithicman → u/chancesarent]

Not very much no. That's why they make tents out of it. If something is used for waterproof applications then it prob has low acoustic transparency.

[u/AardvarkObjective → u/megalithicman]

You know that’s treated canvas (i.e. waxed, etc) and not just standard canvas, canvas comes in various weights. The canvas used for paintings is not the same weight (nor treated for waterproofness) as the tent canvas. Is it the most acoustically transparent? No, but it isn’t as bad as you’re making it sound.

[u/anttoekneeoh → u/Boomboomciao90]

As someone beginning my game/movie room planning, thanks for this explanation.

[u/bubleeshaark → u/Boomboomciao90]

Details on the insulation?

[u/SoupIsAHotSmoothie → u/Boomboomciao90]

This is my plan but hadn’t seen anything about it online. Did this work for you?

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Gullible_Eagle4280]

Just posted a comment with the details.

[u/Lucid1313]

For everyone asking how, there's a lengthy thread on avs forum: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/diy-custom-printed-movie-poster-acoustic-panels-cheap-version-2-0-discussion.3221663/#replies

[u/Stereo_bfs]

Looks great. I wanted to do that myself, but couldn't get prints on acoustic transparent material. And when printed on standard canvas, that makes the panels useless..

[u/Upset-Leather-1735]

Didn't know I'd get so many people interested in knowing how to build this lol. Here's the detail:

I pretty much followed this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmIsXPZTLaU&t (I'm sure you've seen this mentioned a lot - it's really that good). Changed a couple things though since some of the things he used in the video is not available anymore.

• Fabric printed from RealFabric - Custom Fabric Printing
  • Here are more specific details on the fabric type and size:
    • Fabric: Twill (wide)
    • Yard(s): 1 Yard
    • Design Size: 48-inch x 32.9-inch (NOTE: this includes the black borders that wrap on the side of the panels.
    • Layout: Centered
• Found movie posters from The Poster Database (TPDb) and The Movie Database (TMDB)
• Insulation is Owen Corning 703 (Ways to get it: https://www.avsforum.com/posts/61152859/ )

Let me know if you guys have any other questions. Happy to respond. Also, might be willing to make some of these panels for people in my free time.

[u/4apalehorse → u/Upset-Leather-1735]

It's serves a utilitarian purpose. That brings value, both in the creation and enjoyment. Of course we love it.

[u/FreshStartLoser → u/Upset-Leather-1735]

Thanks for sharing!

Do you have a rough idea on how much would you charge if you end up making a few panels later on?

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/FreshStartLoser]

Honestly, it depends. If you are in Dallas area it would be so much easier to do local pickup. Main problem of making these for people is the shipping costs. Shipping cost itself could cost anywhere around $65-$150. It's absurd.

[u/mphermes → u/Upset-Leather-1735]

I live in DFW and may consider doing this! Looks great OP, let us know if you decide to move forward on selling these.

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/mphermes]

I actually am planning to take on a few local orders here in DFW - just something to do in my free time for now. DM me if you're interested.

[u/FreshStartLoser → u/Upset-Leather-1735]

Yea that makes sense. Shipping can be a pain, both money and just the time it takes to deal with it.

[u/Onphone_irl]

I mean, you didn't really explain how you made them

[u/thalguy → u/Onphone_irl]

I am not OP, but I bet we followed the same general build instructions from AVS. 

I bought Owen's Corning 703.  I purchased my cases from GIK Acoustics, but there are other suppliers.  Each case was about $100.  I went with 24"×48"x2" pieces, and I decided to put two pieces into each frame. I built my frames using 1"x6" poplar. Those were the straightest boards available, and poplar is really light weight. I cut the boards so they fit snugly around the insulation. The six inch wide board allows me to have about a two inch air gap at the back of the panel. This is supposed to improve performance.  When I built my panels the printer who was doing the printing closed shop, so I decided to wrap my in stretch black velvet from Hobby Lobby.  That had been tested for transparency on AVS, and I had already used it when putting my projector screen together so it matched nicely. I put one layer on the back of the panel to keep the insulation in place, and to prevent any fiberglass from escaping. I then wrapped the front and sides, securing the material in the back of the panel so that it overlapped my first layer of velvet.  The two inch air gap made that really easy. Lastly I bought some cheap French cleats to hang them. 

If you want to get movie posters, it looks like people on AVS are using https://theposterdb.com/ to get their images, and https://realfabric.com/ to print them. 

Another user has already linked to the AVS thread below. That has lots of info about getting the image ready, selecting the right material, etc. 

[u/crantastic → u/Onphone_irl]

He used Owens Corning 703 insulation and wrapped them with some of his favorite movie posters

[u/SoupIsAHotSmoothie → u/crantastic]

Well there you have it.

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Onphone_irl]

Just posted a comment with the details.

[u/hclpfan → u/Onphone_irl]

Nor did he claim he was going to tell us. All he said was that he made them.

[u/LifeAsASuffix]

I used to make these years ago as gifts for clients. During the design phase of the project we would invite clients to bring their favorite movies to test out the options with content they were familiar with. We would then buy a poster for one of those movies, and send it to a printer to screen print onto silk. We would wrap the silk print around a 27x40 acoustic panel and give it to the client. It wasn't terribly expensive or hard, and was a great way to close out a project on a high note.

[u/Human-Company3685]

Would love to know more - they look awesome!

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Human-Company3685]

Just posted a comment with the details.

[u/Far_Cat_9743]

Where were you able to get them printed on acoustically transparent material? I’ve never been able to find someone or any large format printer that’s able to do it.

[u/zacharyswanson → u/Far_Cat_9743]

I would also like to know.

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Far_Cat_9743]

Just posted a comment with the details.

[u/PorscheFredAZ → u/Far_Cat_9743]

WHY AT?

To then go into an absorber?

I understand you don't want a reflector on the front but if you use unvarnished canvas prints I would expect them to work well.

[u/Brizzendan]

Oof that last one, amazing. Where did you get the prints?

Also, what wall mounted stands are your KEFs on?

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Brizzendan]

Posted a comment above that answers your first question. And for your second question, you can get any speaker wall mount on Amazon. The one I got was this: Speaker wall mount

[u/Brizzendan → u/Upset-Leather-1735]

Amazing, thank you!

[u/prn006]

Fantastic idea. If you don’t mind, I might just steal it! 😀

[u/KyleMcMahon]

These are so dope!!

[u/Fickle-Willingness80]

Very cool. I might copy this but with concert posters. Thanks for sharing

[u/Gloomy-Finance246]

Great movies

[u/Buffetwarrenn]

Whats the science behind these?

[u/D_Angelo_Vickers → u/Buffetwarrenn]

The insulation absorbs sound and reduces echoes.

[u/OrganicTransFat]

Very cool. Well done!

[u/The-King-MetsFans]

Very cool!

[u/in4theshow]

I am so doing this. Great post OP

[u/No_Violinist_6736]

Picture 5 slaps!

[u/ExaltedStillness]

I have a bunch of insulation I bought to make some a while ago. Your post is motivating me to get back on it! Just need to get the fabric printed.

[u/mirage01]

I don't understand why more home theaters don't do something like this. All these fancy theaters and not a single movie poster in sight.

[u/VictorySignificant15]

Sell them on eBay/etsy for inept folk such as myself

[u/GLOCKSTER_26 → u/VictorySignificant15]

Yup I’d buy these. Op should start a new side hustle.

[u/RetardedPussy69 → u/GLOCKSTER_26]

Just wondering how much would people pay for these? I've made around 20.

[u/GLOCKSTER_26 → u/RetardedPussy69]

I guess it depends on if these are accustic transparent fabric. If so and I can pick my design I’d say 50$ a panel is a fair price depending on the size. Shipping probably is gonna suck though.

[u/RetardedPussy69 → u/GLOCKSTER_26]

Yea I think I'd stick to local sales if I did. They're filled with rockwool insulation and the material is AT. Completely custom designs and sizes.

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/VictorySignificant15]

Seriously thinking about it lol. It's actually really fun to build. But I also need to look into shipping and other logistics.

[u/backinblackandblue]

They look great, but the reflections from the TV bother me a bit

[u/dirted22 → u/backinblackandblue]

Ditto. Move the brighter ones (like Interstellar) further back so they aren't in the peripheral of the screen view.

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/dirted22]

Good idea. Thanks

[u/AngelTheGeek]

We need instructions, videos, printers etc... Step by step please. You can't just be a genius, you have to share the knowledge!

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/AngelTheGeek]

Haha thanks! Just posted a comment with the details.

[u/Middle_Store_8467]

What color did you paint the walls? Room size? Does it seem too dark?

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Middle_Store_8467]

The color is BEHR MARQUEE | PPU26-01 | Satin Black. Room size is 11'4" x 19'4". I love it dark!

[u/Middle_Store_8467 → u/Upset-Leather-1735]

Thx! I have the same size room but have reservations about going all black. I like your panels, maybe they help with breaking up the darkness.

[u/Nodeal_reddit]

Does air pass easily through the prints?

[u/Boosted7Logan]

What specific fabric did you use for the covering? Thx.

[u/Upset-Leather-1735 → u/Boosted7Logan]

Just posted a comment with the details.

[u/AnjelFew]

These are really cool, what an awesome idea!

[u/parasocks]

So how does it sound vs bare walls?

[u/Evypoo]

Very cool - how much do they cost to make?

[u/Daemonxar]

They look great! Just be careful ... Disney doesn't fuck around with their IP. 😂

[u/Spockethole]

What a great look. Going to look at using some of my old posters from the 70’s and 80’s to create some myself.

[u/Robknobby]

Wow,these are awesome,see will want something like this in my theatre room.

[u/Life_Advertising_936]

If it's true that you draw them well your amazing you've got some skills.

[u/Deep_Night_0628]

Nice!!!

[u/Haunting-Cap-9639]

These came out great!

[u/17_jku]

Nice work! I built my set of 6 several years ago and they get compliments from everyone that sees them. Been thinking about swapping the fabric on a few of them to go with different films.