A Guide To Rigid Boards

Businesses utilise many types of marketing and advertising to attract new customers and clients – and an often-used aspect of any advertising campaign is signage. Printed signage can take on many forms, of which rigid boards are a popular, affordable option – large format printed boards are used in a wide range of locations and business events. Here is some information on rigid board printed signage for you to consider:

Rigid Boards

There are many variations of rigid boards available and different materials are better suited to different environments and circumstances. Before deciding which material will best suit your intended print, consider the environment in which your signage is to be displayed – think about the different aspects of the location – will the weather be a factor in the effectiveness and longevity of the signage, and will the material have to lend itself to perhaps being pre-drilled, or be suitable for hanging in its proposed location? All these factors need to be taken into account before deciding which is the most relevant material for construction and the best choice of surface to print upon.

Foamex

One of the most popular choices of rigid board for printing is Foamex – a material that is available in a range of thicknesses and is easy to handle due to it being superlight in weight. The smooth finish of Foamex is ideal for applying direct print to either or both surfaces – it is constructed from two PVC sheets applied to a foam core making it affordable and extremely easy to manufacture. The flexible material can be easily cut into different shapes making it ideal to produce custom-designed signage – it is also easy to drill for wall-hanging, or for suspension from ceilings or other vantage points. Other advantages to Foamex are that it is water resistant and can also provide UV protection making it a great material for outdoor signage keeping its display clear, bright, and vibrant for long periods.

Foam Boards

There are different forms and qualities of foam board available – they are constructed from high-quality foam producing lightweight but very strong and robust rigid boards ideal for print and display in a myriad of locations and environments. Foam boards come in different finishes – a smooth finish that produces a clean finish with a high-end, premium and vibrant effect. Other foam board options offer canvas-style textures that lend themselves to shop signage or art exhibition environments. These boards are produced by creating a ‘sandwich’ polyurethane core that gives the board a strong, rigid structure that is also incredibly light.

Thicker board options are available offering even greater strength and durability – expanded polystyrene cores create boards that are water and moisture-resistant, so are ideal for any outside location, and a plastic sheeting coat allows direct print to be applied and provides UV protection for greater longevity.

Main Uses For Foam Boards

Foam boards can be used in a wide variety of businesses and locations – typical examples of effective placement for foam boards are exhibitions and trade show events, retail outlets, hairdresser and barber shops, hospitality businesses such as cafes and bars displaying menus and offers, and businesses such as estate agents, as well as public buildings such as museums, art galleries and libraries. 

Corrugated Plastic

Another popular choice of rigid boards is corrugated plastic – a well-known brand being Correx – they are straightforward in their construction in that they consist of polypropylene sheets and a sturdy corrugated plastic core. This produces durable and lightweight signage that is often used for short-term advertisements – estate agent signs are a good example. You can often see this rigid board signage deployed as festival and exhibition signs, and some window displays.

Cardboard

Most businesses are aware of their environmental responsibilities and the best eco-friendly option for temporary signage is simple strong cardboard! Rigid cardboard signage is easily recyclable when they have served their purpose – but consider using this form of rigid board for indoor locations, as the simple cardboard does not offer great durability when exposed to harsh weather conditions.  Although not the most robust option, cardboard signage can be produced in varying thicknesses and the stronger options are ideal for sale shows, party signs, and indoor exhibitions and trade shows. Often produced with a rigid honeycomb core, these cardboard signs are easy to print and can prove very effective for indoor environments.

Other forms of rigid board signage are available, including acrylic materials akin to a glass effect, and aluminium sheeting with polythene cores – speak to an established industrial print company who can advise you on the best choice of material for signage for your particular business. Rigid boards are a great tool to boost your corporate presence and brand – especially if you are a new business or working with a smaller marketing budget.