Seamless paper is often the easier choice for a clean studio look. It’s simple to roll out into a curved sweep onto the floor, which helps create a truly seamless background, especially for white setups. It also tends to be easier to light evenly.

Cloth backdrops like muslin or canvas have the advantage of being reusable and easier to fold, ship, and transport. That can make them a better long-term purchase if you’ll use them often.

The tradeoffs are maintenance and handling. Cloth needs to be kept clean, and some people find canvas or muslin more troublesome in practice. If the material isn’t opaque enough, it may also be harder to light cleanly. Paper, on the other hand, is bulky, heavy to store, and an ongoing expense because worn or dirty sections need to be replaced.

In short: choose seamless paper if you want the simplest path to a smooth, clean background and easy lighting. Choose cloth if portability and reusability matter more, and you’re willing to deal with cleaning and setup.