The big difference is Material Quality and number of Choices  Where Backdrop Junction has just a couple dozen backdrops per scale printed on paper that fades within a few short years and Backdrop warehouse has more than 500 High quality Photo prints on a durable vinyl that is color fast and lasts for years. HO scale at Back drop junction you get only 17 inch high and 54 inches long which may be fine for some and comes in sections like wall paper.

Then there is Backdrop Warehouse! You can get back drops on a continuous photographic roll without repeating itself, up to 48 in wide in unlimited Lengths with high quality Digital photos.

The Main Difference

The fact the Backdrop Warehouse would be the Roles Royce of Backdrops and Backdrop Junction would be a skate board with only 3 wheels.

It just takes a little reading to figure out their system then ordering is pretty simple at Backdrop warehouse.

 Dan,

Just to be fair although Backdrop Warehouse is a sponsor, Backdrop Junction is under consideration to become one.

They have photo realistic backdrops up to 206" and you can get custom built ones! Check under the "Custom" menu!

I requested and received a sample, I found it to be printed on quality paper and quite realistic.

Just my opinion, ask for a sample and check it out for yourself!

Dan,

I agree with you that Backdrop Warehouse's website is confusing and hard to navigate.  I believe it's worth the hassle as I'm one of their customers and I'm very happy with their product and service.  I bought one of their "blems" that was an O scale "first run".  I got it for a fraction of the cost of a non-blem and even though it was O and I model HO I was able to use it by dropping it down where the over scale buildings are below the layout.  I cut out the sky and followed their directions on installation and after 3 years it still looks great.  Below are a couple of pictures of it on the wall by the Matthews freight yard.

Rick

Sometimes things worth having most come with a little effort...BDW does indeed have a difficult website.  They do have lengthy explinations.  Given the end cost and qulaity of teir product, though, this information is imperatvie for you to make a fully informed decision.  If you take your backdrop seriously, you will take the time and effort to go through their materials and ultimately, you will find a solution that ner perfectly matches waht you want in your mind.  You may even start with a generic idea [I JUST want a BACKDROP] and end with [I want a backdrop that looks like HERE!] by the time you get done looking through their inventory.

I made my statement after I visited a couple Clubs with around the room Backdrops. One club was installing a system from "Backdrop junction" the backdrop was in sections of about 8 foot long each and about 16 inches tall leaving 14 inches of wall exposed above it that they had to paint that 14inches above the layout completely around the room blue.

They had a repeat of the sections every 18-20 feet. It was all mountains or rolling hills but you could see that it repeated itself and twice on one of their longer walls. They said it was cheaper to go with "Backdrop junction" and they would use the money they saved on another project. T Then My friends Brother a member of that club said their backdrop is a heck of a lot better then my artwork back drop I hand painted and he's right. I have repainted my Back drop twice and am going to repaint it blue with clouds for now

I was at another club that had just finished installing a 40 inch tall "Backdrop warehouse" one piece about 120 foot long. It started with the Arizona type Desert in the first of 5 rooms with 16 inch half round blurb ends where it transitioned from room to room. The Backdrop had a gradual change to foot hills then into really rugged Rocky mountains around and down a long wall with the mountains fading away into a large valley on into another room. After that it transitioned from rural to city then into low hills and so on . It was so realistic looking compared to the other club and to mine I couldn't believe it.

Now they did spend $500.00 more for their one piece but to me I felt they got what they paid for. When I was walking along the wall (They had no bench work up as the back drop was step 1) I just felt like I was driving across the lower United States. I haven't been back to either club to see their bench work but it did convince me that my next RR will have one of those continuous photo murals from Backdrop Warehouse

For those people building multi deck mushroom type Railroads with the narrow space between decks then using shorter multiple section backdrops may be the hot ticket. But for me I just can't bring myself to build that type of railroad. Maybe someday I'll try the Mushroom again but I like the wider open sky, open deck space with the single deck Railroad using a one piece go forever majestic Digital backdrop from backdrop warehouse or I'll just paint the backdrop Blue.

I think The real reason is I don't want the Warehouse Junction 17 inch tall backdrop is because: I had 33 of the old Walters "Instant Horizons" 24 inch tall X 36 inch wide Background wall scenes completely around my last 25 foot X 25 foot RR. They repeated them self every 10 pieces and they had kind of a cartoon painted look. I just like the more realistic photo back drop that doesn't have seams.

I Had the problem when with weather and the seems tended to lift and separate when the humidity rolls in and I don't want to fight that again. SO, when it comes right down to it I will always throw in my 10 cents in favor of the beautiful large variety that the Backdrop Warehouse offers. also maybe they will read this and give me a 20% discount when I buy from them next year no really I just like theirs best.

Guys:

Thanks for the insights - but I still wonder about the Backdrop Warehouse web site. I mean, like I had to ask you guys to finally "get it". Don't you think most people would just throw up their hands at the complex, hard-to-navigate web site and just move on?

I have to believe their difficult-to-use web site is costing them business. Most people won't do what I did and come ask you guys.

Seems like they need a real web designer to give their site a simplification overhaul, and then they need to take what some good customers like you guys are saying and post some testimonials on their site in some obvious place!

Thanks again ...

Dan Wilson

Hello all,

I am new to the site, and was just reading and learning as much as I can when I came across this thread about backdrop junction.  Since I am a very happy customer of theirs (backdrop Junction)  I thought I would post my experience with them so that the FACTS were straight about them.

I am not sure about what they used to sell 20 years ago (I have no idea how long they have been in business), but I got my backdrop from them approx. 8 weeks ago and it was EXCELLENT, nothing like described in this thread.  The product was excellent!  I didn't get "panels", I got one continuous image, in fact, they had to limit it to just 200 inches for me.  As for the quality, let me tell you, I haven't seen anything like it ANYWHERE!

I am a pro-photographer and was surprised by the quality of the print.  The paper is VERY THICK high quality, archival quality and on a matte finish.. meaning it will not reflect light.  I called to ask how they print and found out they use pro printers like I do.  Turns out they are using the same exact printers and inks that I use for my wedding prints, and I chose those inks and papers because they are guaranteed a minimum of 200 years!  Its archival quality, no acid, etc etc etc.  Its the good stuff!

That plus the fact its photo-realistic from top to bottom.  A buddy of mine has a backdrop warehouse print and the sky is bogus.  Its a fake blue sky with fake puffy clouds!  It looks absolutely ridiculous.  You can see hours of Photoshop work in their product - its annoying!!!  The quality of the print is far below the quality of backdrop junctions... BY A LOT!  Since then, my friend Sam came to my house and saw my backdrop and decided to scrap his and get one similar to mine from Junction. 

I am in business for myself, and I don't mind people having a difference of opinion, but lies about them is another thing.  Its unfair and malicious.  

Anyone reading this post, ignore the comments above, and buy with confidence.  I am glad I did!  I seriously looked everywhere for the best and am amazed at the quality of this print.  I almost didn't because the price was so low - I thought because it was not expensive it couldn't be good - and I learned its because they are expanding and getting their name out there.. that the prices will be coming up soon.  

IMHO - if you are in the market for the BEST - go with who I did - period.  I've seen all the others and these are fantastic!  no joke!!!

"the captain"

One of the things that bothers me with the Backdrop Warehouse images is how muted the colors are.  The coloration is so faded in appearance that it looks far too distant to be in the near background, as with structures just behind their 3-D modeled counterparts. 

For those with experience with the Backdrop Junction product, do they have more intense colors?  I paint my own sky and landscape, but would like to add some photo backdrop structures.  I have a few other candidates in mind, but would appreciate some feedback on Backdrop Junction as I haven't seen their product in person and they have a few scenes that look promising.

Great subject, as I am headed down the decision path for photo backdrops as well! 

Curious, but very interesting, to see the different opinions on which are preferred.  I am firmly in the camp of wanting vibrant colors and clarity, along with greater continuous length, but understand the potential substantial increase in cost to get them.  Like most, I am looking for the most bang for my buck, and when it comes to a backdrop that will have to last the life of the layout, this may not be an area to skimp.  Also, I would prefer backdrop heights greater that 17" (say 24"?), but will make it work if the quality and price points dictate.  Really looking forward to more comments from those who have experience with the different vendors out there before I pull the trigger!

Is this a GREAT hobby or what (and free site for info exchange)!?!

Joe

P.S.  BDW's website is TOUGH to navigate, I agree.  Could use some real work there...

Each of these vendors are no doubt using wide format printers to produce the backdrops. Any wide format printer is capable of producing eye popping color so the difference is in the file they are printing from. I am sure Photoshop or similar editing tool is being used to prepare the print file. This means either vendor has the capability to adjust the saturation to your requirements. I haven't had dealings with either of them but I am willing to bet they would gladly adjust the file for you upon request.

My situation is a bit more challenging. I have the ability to print my own wide format on continuous roll but I want images of the actual places my railroad represents. I went on a photo taking tour and found it virtually impossible to get the right images. Could not get the correct vantage points. I too may end up using either a Backdrop Warehouse or Backdrop Junction print.