Projection Screen Paint — Rosco TV Black & TV White (5740 / 5735)
Rosco TV Paint · projection surface
Paint a seamless projection surface
Turn any wall, cyclorama or flat into a controllable, ultra-matte projection surface. Two Rosco TV Paints, each engineered for camera and projection rather than decoration — deep, even, and joins-free across the whole span.
Step 2 · Choose your finish
Black or white surface?
Which one depends on your priority: maximum contrast and ambient-light control, or the brightest clean white. Most demanding projection surfaces start with black.
Built for projection, not decoration
The projection problems TV Paint solves
Why studios and theatres specify Rosco TV Paint over ordinary hardware-store black or white for a projection surface.
Hotspots & glare on the image
Ordinary white paint has sheen that bounces the projector straight back at some seats as a bright blob.
Washed-out blacks, flat contrast
Standard black paint still reflects stage and ambient light, so projected blacks look grey and the image looks flat.
Patchy, uneven cyclorama
Cheap paint goes on unevenly, and cyc lighting reveals every streak and roller mark across the wall.
Reflections spilling onto camera
A glossy wall throws fixture reflections and light spill that ruin a clean studio look on camera.
The main choice
TV Black (5740) — ultra-low-reflectance black
At approximately 3% reflectance, TV Black absorbs light instead of bouncing it back. That's what gives a projected image deep blacks and high contrast, and keeps stray stage or ambient light from washing out the picture. It's the go-to for high-contrast projection surfaces, ambient-light rejection, and blacking out everything around the screen.
| Spec | TV Black 5740 |
|---|---|
| Reflectance | Approx. 3% — absorbs stray light |
| Finish | Ultra-matte, zero sheen |
| Best for | High-contrast projection, ambient rejection, black-box & masking |
| Type | Water-based vinyl acrylic · VOC max 50 g/L |
| Coverage | ~28 m² per 3.79 L (~7.4 m²/L) |
| Dry / recoat | Touch-dry ~30 min @ 24°C · recoat 1–2 hr |
| Size · price | 3.79 L · $199 |
The bright-white alternative
TV White (5735) — the cyclorama “camera white”
TV White is calibrated to 60% reflectance — the top of usable brightness for camera white balance — with a super-matte finish. It reads as a clean, even white under lighting without blowing out to hot spots, which is why it's the standard for cycloramas, infinity walls and bright front-projection surfaces. It looks slightly neutral grey in the tin on purpose: that's “camera white”, not “visual white”. A $15 sample pot lets you prove the finish on your own wall first.
| Spec | TV White 5735 |
|---|---|
| Reflectance | 60% — max brightness for video white balance |
| Finish | Super-matte, reflection-controlled |
| Best for | Cycloramas, infinity walls, bright front-projection surfaces |
| Type | Water-based vinyl acrylic · VOC max 50 g/L |
| Coverage | ~28 m² per 3.79 L (~7.4 m²/L) |
| Dry / recoat | Touch-dry ~30 min @ 24°C · recoat 1–2 hr |
| Size · price | 3.79 L · $199 · sample pot $15 |
Application
Lay it down right
A projection surface lives and dies on being even and matte. Prime, two coats, and test under your projector.
Prep the surface
Clean, dry, oil-free. Fill and sand — projector light and cyc gradients reveal every defect.
Prime porous areas
Roll Rosco Tough Prime White for a uniform base so the finish lays even across a big wall.
Stir, don't shake
Stir until uniform. Use straight from the tin, or thin with up to 10% clean water if needed.
Two even coats
Brush, roller or spray. Keep a wet edge and overlap strokes. Two coats over primer.
Recoat, then cure
Touch-dry in ~30 min, recoat in 1–2 hr, so both coats go on in a day.
Test with your projector
Light it and throw your actual image before committing the whole surface — confirm the finish under your rig.
How much paint will you need?
Coverage calculator
Based on ~7.4 m² per litre (~28 m² per 3.79 L tin) per coat. Two coats over primer is the sensible starting point. Add ~10% for touch-ups and a test patch.
Enter your area
We'll estimate the litres and 3.79 L tins you need.
Estimate only. For a curved cyc, measure width × the full height up and over the sweep. Send us the numbers and we'll confirm coats and quantity.
Buy or sample
Get Rosco TV Paint
Order online, or start with a TV White sample pot to prove the finish under your rig first.
Speccing a projection wall or cyc?
Tell us the surface, your projector and whether it's front or rear, and we'll confirm black or white, size the job and quote it.