ACU Fabric

**Peregrino** · 10-28-2005, 10:15

Ok Guys, need some help. I'm getting ready to do some studio photos for training material I'm preparing. I want to use the ACU fabric as a backdrop for some of them but I don't have a source. I need 3(?) linear yards as wide as I can find (72" would be nice). I would prefer the uniform fabric, it should have a better "hand", drape well, and not overpower the picture. I know the gear guys are using/can get various weights of Cordura but I don't think that will photograph as well. My fallback is the current desert camouflage (which I can't find locally either.) I can get the "chocolate chip" but that's too dated for the purpose. Woodland is way too dark (and the nylon ripstop I have plenty of is too shiny to use with a flash). Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Peregrino

Maytime · 10-28-2005, 12:39

Peregrino,
I googled "ACU fabric," and found a company who sells it as wide as 65", which is a bit shy of your goal though. They say it's mil-spec ripstop nylon/cotton, but they could be full of shit.

Anyway, here's the link:
http://www.kasbarnational.com/synthetic_fabrics.htm

Hope that helps.

**Peregrino** · 10-28-2005, 12:56

Maytime - Thanks, I'll check it out as soon as I finish here. I got a PM from another "not to be named" source that I decided to share for the humor/edification of others who might be thinking similarly.

Quote:

Sir, I send this to you by PM because I don't want my responce to somehow come across wrong to you in front of others. I have been to Jo Anns fabrics and Hancocks (sp) and have seen the marine style woodland digi pattern. I don't remember it having all of the globe and anchors though. So it has been made into production, just a matter of finding it in stock. May I suggest calling and telling them of the digi pattern you want. Those are the two more popular fabric stores that I have seen it in. Again I hope I am not offending you with the suggestion. I hope this helps.

Thanks - Already tried Jo Ann's. The local Hancocks went out of business and Piecegoods changed format to home decor fabrics. BTW - My mother taught me to sew when I was 6-7 y/o. It has come in handy many times over the years. You would be amazed how "flexible" QPs are. Many of us sew (at least patches on the uniform) some of us do quite a bit more. I sew "garb" for my SCA hobby (trying to teach the wife so she can do her own - I'm tired of trying to figure out women's patterns). Most of the quality gear manufacturers are guys who couldn't find what they needed so they made it, got a reputation, and now they work so hard they haven't got any hobbies. And who do you think repairs parachutes when they're damaged? Bashful is a handicap. Get over it. FWIW - Peregrino

**Peregrino** · 10-28-2005, 13:15

Maytime - Thanks, I called them to follow-up. Naturally, the guy I needed to talk to is taking an early weekend. If I can't find something sooner, I'll call him Monday. I think they're more used to dealing in truckloads but we'll see if they can help. Peregrino

tracer · 10-28-2005, 13:46

Are you set on the digi patern? How about using one of the vehicle covers/tarps from your unit? I don't know what camo sceme your unit may have on their covers, but it may suit you. Plus, with it being the size it has to be to be a vehicle cover, that should be a big enough backdrop for you. You haven't mentioned it yet, but an idea for a solid color could be a big piece of cheese cloth from supply.

**Peregrino** · 10-28-2005, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracer

Are you set on the digi patern? How about using one of the vehicle covers/tarps from your unit? I don't know what camo sceme your unit may have on their covers, but it may suit you. Plus, with it being the size it has to be to be a vehicle cover, that should be a big enough backdrop for you. You haven't mentioned it yet, but an idea for a solid color could be a big piece of cheese cloth from supply.

It's for a "commercial quality" presentation. It will have product laying on it. I need/want all the "cool points" I can get. It needs to appeal to "Walter Mitties" without offending professionals and it has to have longevity. I don't like the ACU pattern but it should work well as a background for promotional photos. Besides - we're stuck with it for the forseeable future so it'll resonate with a broad audience.

BTW - I'm now a "former action guy", I retired last year (and I quit swiping things from the motor pool a long time before that

). And the tarps etc. don't photograph well - they're lumpy, stiff, lots of seams/grain, and the vehicle covers are usually at least slightly reflective.

I just tried Seattle Fabrics (great source for outdoor fabrics) and came up dry. I'll keep looking. Peregrino

Polar Bear · 10-28-2005, 14:27

http://www.rothco.com/general/index.cfm Try here

**Peregrino** · 10-28-2005, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

http://www.rothco.com/general/index.cfm Try here

PB - Thanks, they have a lot of stuff but they don't have any Digicam of any type. I did bookmark the site as a backup though. Their khaki or grey may be my fallback. Peregrino

lrd · 10-28-2005, 17:23

Have you checked here?

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/camo_material_and_fabrics.htm

**Peregrino** · 10-28-2005, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrd

Have you checked here?

http://www.vtarmynavy.com/camo_material_and_fabrics.htm

Muchisimas Gracias! OK Guys - We can call off the search. (I think. I'll call them Monday and verify.) That was exactly what I needed - and the price doesn't seem too bad either. When I googled various forms of "digicam" I kept getting hits for Chinese manufacturers/distributers. Everybody else seemed to be selling hunting camo. Again - Thanks. Peregrino

lrd · 10-28-2005, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrino

Muchisimas Gracias! OK Guys - We can call off the search. (I think. I'll call them Monday and verify.) That was exactly what I needed - and the price doesn't seem too bad either. When I googled various forms of "digicam" I kept getting hits for Chinese manufacturers/distributers. Everybody else seemed to be selling hunting camo. Again - Thanks. Peregrino

No problem. I'm a loggie...I do this kind of stuff all day. I googled: ACU fabric.