10 Best Food Photography Backdrops in 2024

Bringing the best food photography backdrops into your photoshoots is a great way to spice up your food photography. But what kind of backdrop would suit your food photography?

Are you looking for wood or marble textures? Do you want something robust with a long lifespan? Or do you need something portable for shooting in different locations?

The iProtech Double-Sided Photography Backdrop is our top choice for food photographers. It gives you six vibrant color options. The tiles are durable, waterproof, and reusable. And it’s an affordable accessory that makes a huge difference.

Keep reading for more of the best food photography backdrops.

What Is the Best Food Photography Backdrop?

The best food photography backdrops help you create new themes and explore more visual avenues. You have more freedom to create images that express different moods. You can make specialist food photos for specific types of cuisine. And you can achieve anything that clients throw your way.

Of course, you want a robust and reusable backdrop. Some photographers use colored card or paper, but that isn’t good practice in the long run. While it is affordable, paper is too easily damaged. You need a backdrop that can withstand the spills and thrills of food photography time and time again.

That means you have to think about the material the backdrop is made of. Laminated paper is durable enough and easy to clean. But you can also get vinyl or plastic backdrops that are strong and reliable, even after many photoshoots.

You also need to think about the size of the backdrop you need. You should think about the space you’re working in and the surface you’re working on. These factors will determine the size of the backdrop you should use.

Then you need to think about the color or finish you want the backdrop to have. Do you want flat colors? Or do you want textures like a marble surface or wooden tabletop? The finish defines the tone and aesthetic of your food photography.

Here’s a rundown of the best food photography backdrops. We also have a buyer’s guide at the end if you need more information before you buy.

10 Best Food Photography Backdrops

Now we’ll look at all the best food photography backdrops in more detail. We’ll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision when buying your backdrop for food photography.

The iProtech Double-sided Photography Backdrop set is perfect if you want to create vibrant images that pop with color. The flat, single-tone colors bring a joyful intensity to the images. And it’s a creative way to highlight and enhance the colors of your food.

They are paper backdrops, but the paper is covered with a protective film. That makes them more durable and easy to wipe clean. And it’s an anti-glare, non-reflective coating, so there’s no bounce from the photography lights.

With three two-sided panels, you have a total of six colors to play with. That allows you to mix and match, allowing for more creativity. It also means you can change the theme or tone quickly and easily. Simply turn one panel over for another pop of color. 

The Goshoot Photo Backdrop Boards are perfect for traditional food photography. With four classic textures, you can replicate recognizable kitchen scenes. That’s ideal for home cooking and baking imagery.

The set has two o.2-inch / 0.5 cm thick ply boards. They are strong and robust, so they will last shoot after shoot. And the slick, glare-free surface is easy to clean. You can also use water-based cleaning products without doing any damage.

You get four stylized surfaces. They are natural wood, white wood, concrete, and grey marble. You can use them individually. And thanks to the two brackets, you can prop one up vertically to add another dimension to your photography.

They are heavier than paper alternatives. But you get extra strength and durability in return. The price isn’t much higher than the paper options, so you get excellent value too.

The Allenjoy Double-sided Wooden Photography Backdrop is the best option if you want a rustic wood finish. It’s perfect for home cooking shoots where you want a country house aesthetic.

You only get one backdrop with this purchase. But it’s a double-sided option, and each side has a variation of the grainy wood texture.

You get an excellent amount of surface area (34.4 x 15.7 inch / 87 x 40 cm) to work with, allowing you to shoot wider shots. That’s ideal when shooting larger food items like loaves of bread and cakes.

The main material is paper, so the backdrop weighs next to nothing. But the paper is protected with a film coating, so it’s easy to wipe clean. It’s also reusable, so you won’t waste money replacing it time after time.

If you want a classic marble surface in your images, the BEIYANG Photo Backdrop Boards are exactly what you need. The realistic marble texture gives your images a classic yet chic kitchen aesthetic. It gives your food photography a classy finish that’s perfect for culinary publications.

The boards are made of thick PVC, so they are durable. They are also lightweight and easy to store and carry. And the PVC is oil and waterproof, so they can survive spills and splashes from a messy food photoshoot. Simply use water-based cleaning products to wipe them clean and reuse them when needed.

Both panels are double-sided, with marble on one side and pure white on the other. You can position them both flat on a surface. Or you can prop one up at a right angle using the supportive brackets.

The iProtech 10-Pattern Double-sided Backdrop Boards give you the best variety of background textures. It’s a five-piece set, and each panel is double-sided. That means you have 10 textures to play with.

These textures include four marble options. There are two wooden panel finishes—one light and one dark. You get two brick panels. And there’s a light and a dark concrete backdrop. They give you excellent flexibility, allowing you to change the style of your images just by swapping a board.

Each board is made of thick, durable cardboard, which is coated with a protective film covering. It’s a non-reflective coating, so you won’t experience glare from the lighting. And it’s waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about spills.

You also get a right-angle bracket, so you can prop one board horizontally and another vertically. That allows you to employ two textures in one image.

The Allenjoy Double-sided Blue and Black Backdrop may not be the most versatile option. But the black and light blue colors make for food photography that really pops. You can also mix and match them with the green and yellow backdrop set for more color options. 

Their rectangular shape gives you a large surface area to work with. And even though the boards have a protective coating, there’s no glare or light bounce from the surface.

The coating also means they are protected against water and oil spills. And you can clean them with a damp cloth when the shoot is over.

You only get one panel in this set. But thanks to the affordable price, you can purchase other colored backdrops for additional colors and textures.

If you’re a fan of using marble backdrops in your food images, you need the Flat Lay Marble-finish Paper Backdrop. It’s a three-piece set, with each piece having a different marble finish on either side. That gives you excellent flexibility, but you can maintain a classy kitchen aesthetic.

Made of coated paper, the panels are lightweight and easy to store. You can even roll them up to make them easier to store and transport. 

The plastic coating protects the paper and makes it easy to wash after a shoot. And it’s a non-glare coating, so there’s nothing to worry about if you’re using a flash or other artificial lights. 

The rectangular shape and wide surface area allow you to shoot close-ups or wider shots. You can create images of individual food items or full culinary spreads. 

The MAGIPEA Portable Photo Booth and Backdrop Board is a unique entry on our list. Not only do you get seven exciting backdrops, but you also get a photography lightbox complete with an LED lamp.

All seven of the backdrop textures are fun and interesting. You have watercolor blue and pink tiles. You can try the 3D cube brick or large quartz if you want a rough texture and distinct angles. You can even try the artificial grass backdrop if you’re doing something sports or dairy themes.

Each backdrop panel measures 19 x 19 inches / 48 x 48 cm. And they fit perfectly into the photo lightbox. That makes it an all-in-one mini photo studio for food photography. You also get a carrying case, so you can take your studio with you.

The backdrop boards are made of wood. That makes them heavier than some alternatives. But they are much more durable than coated paper backdrops. And remember, you also get the carrying case that makes transporting it easier.

If you like the harsh tones of marble, concrete, and wood, the Meking Wood/Concrete Flat Lay Backdrop is what you need. 

It’s a three-piece set, and each piece is double-sided, giving you six textures to work with. They are all cold, gray colors. And the effects are several types of concrete, black marble, and wood with faded white paint. 

They are paper backdrops, so they are lightweight and roll up for easy transportation. The plastic film coating keeps them protected against liquids. And you’ll get no glare from the coating, allowing you to use different light sources for your food photography.

The Evanto Photo Backdrop Kit is an affordable set of backdrops that give you excellent versatility. As all five backdrops are double-sided, you get a total of 10 colors. You have two flat colors—pink and beige. And you have several types of marble.

You also get a water backdrop that looks like the bottom of a blue swimming pool. It might not be a traditional backdrop color for food photography. But it’s a great way to create a different aesthetic in your images. 

The paper is resistant to rips and tears. And the film coating makes the paper water-resistant. It’s also glare-free, so you won’t have any light reflected back at you.

This set offers excellent value for money. And you have a mix of traditional backdrops with something more experimental. It’s definitely worth a shot.

Buyer’s Guide—Food Photography Backdrops

You can use just about any surface for food photography. But some surfaces work better than others. And different surfaces give you different aesthetic effects. Here are a few pointers to help you achieve the best results for your pictures.

Materials

Knowing the material of your backdrop helps you determine whether it’s durable or not. Below, you’ll find some of the most common materials in photography backgrounds.

• Paper or cardboard—These can be cheap food photography backdrops. This type of backdrop often features photorealistic textures. But it’s also prone to wrinkling and water damage because it’s pretty flimsy.
• Vinyl—It’s the best alternative to paper and cardboard. Because it’s technically plastic, it’s waterproof and durable. But it also tends to be shiny and challenging to unroll.
• PVC—It’s the most rigid material used for backdrops. But it’s worth noting that the printed material is still typically made of paper or cardboard. Ultimately, its durability depends on how the printed layer is protected from water and other elements.
• Laminate—This is the best choice when it comes to food photography backgrounds. The core is typically made of cardboard, so it’s light. But it also has a durable layer that protects the panel from water damage and wrinkling.

For the most part, all these materials work well for food photography. But each one has its own set of care instructions.

For instance, if it’s made of cardboard, you probably don’t want to put wet food on it. If it’s made of wood, you may want to treat it with varnish to prevent stains.

With synthetic food photography backgrounds, our favorites are laminate surfaces. They’re not only durable, but they’re also good at repelling water. It’s necessary since most foods tend to be wet or greasy.

Patterns

It’s crucial to find appropriate patterns when it comes to food photography backgrounds. Generally, you want your backdrop to have a minimalist design. Otherwise, your food gets lost in all those lines and shapes.

But there are also times when patterns give context to your food photos. For instance, if you’re shooting a Spanish dish, you may consider using colorful tiles. And if you want to recreate a kitchen setting, then a tile backsplash in the background would be perfect.

Textures

Photographers love backdrops with texture. It doesn’t matter if it’s from wood grain or concrete cracks, as long as it adds dimension to the image. Those tiny details can make pictures appear more realistic.

Of course, you don’t have to worry about the texture of natural backdrops. But when it comes to artificial backgrounds, the best options typically have 3D-like patterns.

Reflectiveness and Glare

Not all food backdrops are the same. Some of them reflect more light than others. So what does this mean to us as food bloggers and photographers?

If you use a background that bounces a lot of light back, you end up with ugly spots in your images.

When looking for a food photography backdrop, examine it in person to see if it’s shiny or not. If you can’t inspect the surface yourself, watch reviews on YouTube to figure out if it will work for you.

Conclusion: The Best Food Photography Backdrops

With the best food photography backdrop, your food photography will jump to the next level. You’ll be able to explore new themes. You can create aesthetics tailored to the client’s demands. And you can create images that belong in published cookbooks.

The iProtech Double-sided Photography Backdrop is our top choice. We love the array of vibrant colors that the set gives you. But you can also go for the backdrop sets with classic wood or marble textures. Or you can opt for the more experimental food photography backdrops.