After extensive research on how to improve viewing surfaces, screen manufacturer Draper now offers over 20 new and refined surfaces for higher-quality viewing.

The Skinny: The introduction includes several new products, including Ecomatt XT700E, the first projection surface to be Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), and a reworking of the Draper’s surface names to include key performance measurements in the name of each surface.

The Specs: More than you might think goes into screen material selection. Fabric coordinator Brian Hocker, who was charged with leading Draper’s efforts, traveled to view projection surface manufacturing processes around the world. He and his team tested hundreds of surfaces for dozens of qualities and developed and staffed a high-tech viewing surface testing laboratory at Draper’s Spiceland, Ind., headquarters, where current and prospective viewing surfaces can be tested for performance and consistency. He also oversaw the addition of a major surface manufacturing area in Draper’s Spiceland facility.

Solutions: Draper’s new and refined viewing surfaces break down into four families: OptiView self-supporting front projection surfaces, OptiFlex tensioned front projection screens, ClearSound acoustically transparent front projection screens and CineFlex flexible/tensioned screens for rear projection.