Comparing polyester and cotton it almost looks like a thicker vinyl background. That's not the case. Yes, it's like a big sheet, but it's thick enough to block out most of the light. If you place it near a wall, don't bleed. I attached it to the background scroll system and used it to reflect the RGB backlight on the camera. The brushed side, which looks like cotton, is suitable for this. If you're shooting where you don't want a flash, be sure to flip it backwards to get a hatched pattern. It has a pocket for a pole that's only about 1.75 inches long, so it's not at all suitable for a professional stand with a regular background. 2 in diameter. I will be keeping it for mobile use and have purchased a Savage Universal Vinyl backdrop for my permanent setup.