I am planning to use steel studs for the framework and have read one article but I can not determine if it is necessary to use 20 guage or is 25 guage steel adequate. Oh and am thinking about using pvc for the legs. Has anyone tried this, and if so what size is best 1 1/2 or 2" material?
No matter which you use it won’t achieve structural integrity until your backdrop and layout are attached. I don’t think you would be able to detect any difference at that point. PVC legs of those diameters are going to need cross bracing and might be inadequate if the height is very high. Why not just use the steel studs for the back and a kneee brace from it to the front. It would be substantially stronger than PVC.