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I want to get a black cloth backdrop material for minis to sit on/in front of when photographing them. Any tips on the best material to use? I'm no expert but I think it needs to be as non-reflective as possible and not pick up bits of lint that will catch the light etc. I've heard of portrait photograpers using velvet/velour but their subjects aren't resting directly on the material. I'm also aware lighting is important but at the moment I'll just be shining a few desk lamps onto the mini as needed unless there's an easy way to knock up a diffuser.

Also, any tips on different coloured backdrops and their applications? I asked about black as I've got some pale coloured minis to photograph and I thought that the contrast with black would be best.

Velvet is good but really, anything non-reflective is fine. Black cardboard for example. Use frosted glass to place you mini on and addition black backgrounds to block out unwanted reflections from glass/windows/etc.

Thick black paper or card is more forgiving than cloth for small set-ups, and easier to keep clean and smooth. You can curve it easily and give a seamless background.

For cloth itself cotton, velour, anything really. Just keep a lint roller handy.