🎭 Rosco Off Broadway Scenic Paint — Ready-to-Use Professional Scenic Colour
Rosco Off Broadway is one of Rosco’s most widely used scenic paints — a palette of rich, flat theatrical colours in a flexible vinyl acrylic binder. It’s designed for fast scenic workflows and can be used straight out of the container or diluted for washes and glazing techniques.
Why scenic artists choose Off Broadway
- Excellent coverage for large scenic areas and stage flats.
- Ready-to-use paint — minimal mixing required.
- Consistent matte finish designed for stage lighting and cameras.
- Professional scenic colour palette used worldwide.
Product features & technical information
Finish
Flat / Matte
Solvent
Water
Binder
Vinyl Acrylic
Application
Brush, roller or spray
Dilution
Off Broadway may be used directly from the container or diluted with water, Rosco Clear Acrylic Glaze, or a combination of both to create washes and glazes. Diluting with more than 2 parts water may reduce binder strength — adding Rosco Clear Acrylic Glaze will restore adhesion and flexibility.
Coverage
Approximately 300 sq ft per gallon (approx. 28 m² per 3.79L) depending on substrate and application thickness.
Dry time
- Touch dry: 30–45 minutes
- Recoat: 1–2 hours
Off Broadway vs Supersaturated — Which Rosco paint should you use?
Both Rosco Off Broadway and Rosco Supersaturated are professional scenic paints used in theatre, film and themed environments. The main difference is how they are designed to be used.
| Feature | Off Broadway | Supersaturated |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ready-to-use scenic paint | High pigment concentrate |
| Best for | Stage flats, scenery, walls | Glazes, washes, scenic toning |
| Dilution | Optional | Designed to be diluted |
| Coverage style | Opaque coverage | Translucent colour layering |
| Common users | Schools, theatres, stage crews | Scenic artists & set painters |
Quick recommendation
- Choose Off Broadway if you want a paint you can open and use immediately for scenery and flats.
- Choose Supersaturated if you want maximum colour control for scenic washes and layering.
Real-world scenic applications
Creating realistic faux grass
Read case study →
Painting scenic patinas
Read case study →Cautions & safety
- Do not apply when surface or air temperatures are below 10°C.
- Keep from freezing.
- Avoid prolonged skin contact.
- Use adequate ventilation.
- Keep out of reach of children.
All technical data, recommendations and service are accurate to the best of our knowledge. Rosco assumes no responsibility for results obtained or damage incurred from use since application methods are beyond our control.
CFATS recommendation: Always test your application and dilution ratios on your actual substrate before committing to the full project.
Rosco Off Broadway Scenic Paint — Black (5352)
A flat black for masking, dark grounds and base coats. Off Broadway is Rosco’s flat, water-based scenic paint in a flexible vinyl acrylic binder — ready to use from the can on backdrops, flats, props and sets.
Image: Rosco
Flat, flexible scenic colour
Off Broadway Black gives a flat, non-reflective black for masking and dark scenic surfaces. Use it straight from the can, or dilute it for washes, shading and ageing.
- Rich, flat theatrical colour
- Flexible vinyl acrylic binder
- Use straight from the can or diluted
- Works on muslin, wood, metal, wallboard and many plastics
- Intermixes with all Rosco scenic paints
- Soap and water clean-up
Backdrops, scenery and sets
Masking & dark grounds
Flat black for masking, set elements that need to recede, and dark base coats — including grounds for UV-reactive paint work.
Backdrops & soft goods
A go-to backdrop paint for muslin and canvas drops, flats and cloths.
Theatre scenery
Flats, platforms, set pieces and props for stage productions.
Film & TV sets
Flat, camera-friendly colour on sets and set dressing.
Events & exhibitions
Scenic elements, feature walls and themed builds.
Glazes & washes
Dilute with water or Rosco Clear Acrylic Glaze for lighter tints and glaze effects.
What it is — and what it isn’t
Use it for
- Muslin and canvas backdrops (primed with Tough Prime White)
- Wood, wallboard, metal and many plastics (clean and prepared)
- Flats, set pieces and props
- Washes and glazes when diluted
Don’t use it for
- Diluting with more than 2 parts water — it can weaken the binder (add Clear Acrylic Glaze to restore it)
- Application below 10°C, or letting the paint freeze
- Dirty, greasy or unprepared surfaces
- Applications needing a gloss finish — it dries flat
Getting the best result
- Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of dirt and grease. Prime porous surfaces with Rosco Tough Prime — Tough Prime White is our recommended primer for canvas and muslin backdrops.
- Stir well before use — don’t shake.
- Use straight from the can, or dilute with water or Rosco Clear Acrylic Glaze to lighten the colour or make a glaze.
- Apply thin, even coats by brush, roller or spray gun, overlapping strokes and keeping a wet edge.
- Allow 30–45 minutes to touch-dry and 1–2 hours before recoating (at 24°C). Don’t apply below 10°C.
- Clean tools with soap and water.
Key details
| Product | Rosco Off Broadway — Black |
|---|---|
| Colour code | 5352 |
| Binder / solvent | Vinyl acrylic / water |
| Finish | Flat / matte |
| Coverage (approx.) | 300 sq ft per gallon (≈ 28 m² per 3.79 L), flat finish — a guide only |
| Dilution | Water and/or Rosco Clear Acrylic Glaze; more than 2 parts water may weaken the binder |
| Dry time (24°C) | Touch 30–45 min; recoat 1–2 hours |
| Min. application temperature | 10°C |
| Clean-up | Soap and water |
| Sizes | As listed above |
Common questions
Is Off Broadway Black a true flat black?
It dries to a flat / matte finish, which helps keep reflections down on stage and on camera. Sheen still depends on the surface and how it’s applied — test under your lighting.
Is Off Broadway good for backdrops?
Yes — it’s one of the paints we position for backdrops and soft goods. Prime canvas and muslin with Tough Prime White first, then apply thin, even coats.
Can I water Off Broadway down?
Yes. You can dilute with water, Rosco Clear Acrylic Glaze or both. Rosco advises that more than 2 parts water may weaken the binder; adding Clear Acrylic Glaze restores adhesion and flexibility.
How long does it take to dry?
About 30–45 minutes to the touch and 1–2 hours before recoating at 24°C. Cooler or humid conditions take longer.
Off Broadway or Supersaturated — which do I need?
Off Broadway is ready to use from the can. Supersaturated is a concentrate you dilute at least 1:1, giving more paint per litre and strong translucent washes. Both suit backdrops.
Always read the label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use, and test on a sample of your actual surface first. Coverage is a guide only — it varies with the substrate and its porosity, the number of coats, any dilution and how the paint is applied. Information is from Rosco technical data and is a guide only.
Need help choosing?
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll point you to the right product for the job.
Technical data & guides
