10’-9” – 39’ Sharkstooth Scrim

At iStudio Projects, our Rose Brand Sharkstooth 8/2 Scrim is a legendary theatrical fabric renowned for its remarkable optical duality and exceptional versatility as both a scenic element and a premium projection surface. Woven from 100% cotton in a distinctive open lace construction — 8 twisted thread pairs per vertical inch and 22 twisted threads per horizontal inch — this scrim delivers the classic theatrical effect of appearing completely opaque and solid under front lighting or projected imagery, then transforming into a fully translucent surface the moment ambient light is introduced upstage, seamlessly revealing the scene beyond. For projection, the fabric supports both front and rear applications: front projection yields a gain of 0.52 across a viewing angle exceeding 175°, while rear projection produces a notably brighter gain of 1.26 at the same extraordinary viewing angle, making it one of the widest rear-projection viewing angles available in theatrical fabric. Available in an extensive range of widths from 11′ through 39′ and in multiple colors including white, black, light blue, dark blue, grey, natural, and custom dye options, this scrim is treated with Flammentin AS flame retardant chemical via vat immersion and centrifuge air drying, meeting a comprehensive suite of international flame resistance standards. At a lightweight unit weight of 2.74 oz/yd² (92.5 g/m²), it handles and flies with ease, making it equally at home as a full-stage scrim, a projection drop, or a scenic transparency effect in any performance environment.

Product Description

Open-weave 100% cotton net, commonly used for the “bleed-through” effect on a stage.

  • Iconic Theatrical Opacity-to-Transparency Effect — appears completely solid under front lighting or projected imagery; becomes fully translucent when ambient light is introduced upstage, seamlessly revealing the scene beyond
  • Exceptional Dual-Mode Projection Surface — front projection gain of 0.52 and rear projection gain of 1.26, both across an extraordinary viewing angle exceeding 175°
  • Extra-Wide Format — available in widths from 11′ up to 39′ (13m); wide widths minimize or eliminate vertical seams in full-stage scenic applications
  • Precision Open Lace Weave Construction — 8 twisted thread pairs per vertical inch and 22 twisted threads per horizontal inch for consistent optical and projection performance
  • Broad Color Range — available in white, black, light blue, dark blue, grey, natural (NFR), and custom dye options
  • FR Treatment: Flammentin AS via Vat Immersion — deep, even chemical penetration through centrifuge air-dried processing for reliable flame retardancy
  • Most Comprehensive FR Certification Suite in its Class — NFPA 701 (1989 & 2004), CA Title 19, Canada ULC S-109, BS 5438 & BS 5867, Boston FD IX-1, DIN 4102 B1, and NYC FD Reg. #5149
  • California State Fire Marshal Approved — CSFM Approval No. F-545.07
  • Special New York City Certificate — available upon request (NYC FD Reg. #5149)
  • Lightweight at 2.74 oz/yd² — easy to fly, handle, and rig even at the largest available widths
  • Wrinkle Recovery — wrinkles easily removed with a warm iron or brief hot water exposure
  • Standard Roll Length — approximately 65 yards per roll for efficient project planning

Storage:

  • Store rolled, never folded long-term, in a clean, dry environment away from direct sunlight and moisture
  • Avoid areas with wide fluctuations in atmospheric humidity — the Flammentin AS chemical FR treatment is sensitive to humidity swings, which will accelerate its degradation
  • Keep away from HVAC vents and areas prone to airborne dust and oils, which diminish FR effectiveness over time
  • Use breathable fabric or muslin storage covers; avoid sealed plastic wrapping that traps moisture against the fabric
  • Natural (NFR) scrim stored alongside FR-treated scrim should be clearly labeled to prevent mix-ups in the field

Folding:

  • Rolling onto a rigid tube is strongly preferred over folding for any storage exceeding a few days
  • The open lace weave of sharkstooth scrim is particularly vulnerable to permanent crease lines — handle with care and avoid sharp, tight folds
  • If temporary folding is unavoidable for transport, use broad, padded folds with minimal pressure across the fabric face
  • Do not stack heavy items on folded scrim; the open weave structure offers no resistance to compression distortion

Periodic Cleaning:

  • Spot clean soiled areas using a lightly dampened cloth with minimal moisture — allow to dry fully before re-rolling or storing
  • Vacuum gently using a soft brush attachment to remove surface dust and particulate buildup from the open weave structure
  • Do not machine wash or water wash under any circumstances — water washing will permanently remove the Flammentin AS flame retardant chemical treatment
  • Wrinkles can be removed using a warm iron or brief exposure to hot water/steam, but note that any moisture application should be minimal and the fabric must be fully dried before storage to protect the FR treatment

Major Cleaning:

  • When deeper cleaning is required, use dry cleaning or non-water washing processes only
  • The FR treatment is rated to withstand up to three (3) dry cleanings — maintain a log of dry cleaning cycles and plan for FR re-treatment as the limit approaches
  • Do not use steam cleaning, wet extraction, or water-based spray treatments on FR-treated panels
  • After any major cleaning, conduct an NFPA 705 field test before returning the fabric to active use

Safety & Handling:

  • The open lace weave is inherently more delicate than solid-weave fabrics — handle with care during rigging, flying, and storage to avoid snags, tears, or pulled threads that could compromise both appearance and structural integrity
  • For large-format scrims (25’–39′ widths), use multiple personnel and proper rigging equipment; never stress a single attachment point or grommet under the full weight of the drop
  • When using as a rear projection surface, note that there is significant light pass-through — always project at a steep enough angle to prevent projector light from shining directly into the audience’s eyes
  • Inspect all seams, grommets, and batten pockets before each hang; do not use panels with compromised attachment points
  • For multi-color productions, keep color variants clearly labeled in storage — natural (NFR) panels are not flame retardant and must not be substituted for FR-treated panels in fire-regulated venues
  • A Special New York City Certificate is available upon request for compliance with NYC Fire Department Reg. #5149

Flame Resistance Maintenance:

  • The FR treatment (Flammentin AS, applied via vat immersion) has a minimum expected lifetime of one (1) year, though it is likely to remain effective longer under proper storage and use conditions
  • Annual field testing is required using the NFPA 705 Field Test Method for Textiles
  • Water washing, high humidity environments, and accumulations of airborne dust and oils will diminish or permanently eliminate FR effectiveness — treat any of these exposures as a trigger for immediate re-testing
  • FR re-treatment must be performed by a qualified textile FR applicator whenever field testing indicates failure or after the third dry cleaning cycle
  • California State Fire Marshal registration: CSFM Approval No. F-545.07
  • Standards certified: NFPA 701-2010 TM #1, California Title 19 Test #1237.1 (small scale), Canada ULC S-109 (small & large flame tests), British BS 5867: Part 2:1980, BS 5438 Test 2 Part B, Boston FD Test IX-1, DIN 4102 B1
  • A Special New York City Certificate is available upon request (NYC FD Reg. #5149

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