Foamex Board Printing

Q: What is Foamex board printing?

Foamex board printing is a process where high-resolution graphics are printed directly onto lightweight yet durable PVC foam sheets (commonly known as Foamex). It’s ideal for indoor and short-term outdoor signage, displays, and exhibitions.

Q: What is Foamex made of?

Foamex is made from expanded PVC (polyvinyl chloride), offering a smooth surface that's perfect for vibrant, full-color printing. It's rigid, strong, and weather-resistant.

Q: What are the common uses for printed Foamex boards?

Foamex boards are widely used for shop signage, exhibition displays, event branding, directional signage, wall panels, and promotional boards due to their versatility and affordability.

Q: Is Foamex suitable for outdoor use?

Yes, Foamex is weather-resistant and can be used outdoors for short to medium durations. For long-term outdoor signage, we recommend using additional UV protection or lamination.

Q: What sizes are available for Foamex board printing?

Foamex boards can be printed in custom sizes, with standard thicknesses of 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm. Popular sizes include A0, A1, A2, and custom large-format dimensions.

Q: Can Foamex boards be cut to shape?

Absolutely. Foamex can be contour-cut to any shape, making it ideal for bespoke signage, logos, and creative display solutions.

Q: How long does Foamex board printing take?

Turnaround times vary, but standard production typically takes 2–5 working days, depending on order size and customisation.

Q: Can I use my own artwork for Foamex printing?

Yes! You can upload your custom artwork, and our team will ensure it’s print-ready. We also offer design services if you need assistance.

Q: What resolution is best for Foamex printing?

For the best results, we recommend artwork with a resolution of 300dpi at actual size. This ensures sharp, high-quality prints.

Q: Is Foamex eco-friendly?

Foamex is made from PVC, which is not biodegradable, but it is recyclable. Some suppliers also offer eco-conscious alternatives or recycling programs.

Custom Printed Foam Boards

Foamex Board Printing is a practical, cost-effective way to produce rigid signage that looks professional and performs well across a wide range of commercial uses. Whether you’re fitting out a retail space, preparing exhibition graphics, or installing site signage, printed foamex boards offer clean presentation, reliable durability, and straightforward installation.

At Inprint, we produce foamex signage in-house using proven large format print processes, giving you consistent colour, sharp detail, and dependable turnaround — backed by nearly four decades of commercial print experience.

A dependable rigid board for business signage

Foamex is a lightweight rigid PVC board that’s widely used across retail, events, construction, and public sector environments. It delivers a smooth, flat surface that prints cleanly, making it well suited to full colour graphics, logos, text-heavy layouts, and photographic imagery.

Printed foamex boards are commonly used for:

Retail signage and in-store displays
Exhibition and event panels
Point-of-sale and promotional boards
Directional and informational signage
Short- to medium-term outdoor signs

The material’s stability helps prevent warping, while its low weight makes handling and installation straightforward — particularly important for large format foamex printing used on walls, hoardings, or temporary structures.

Print quality that holds up at scale

Our foamex sign printing is produced using high-spec large format digital equipment, allowing us to maintain colour consistency across single boards or multi-panel sets. This is especially important for branded environments where multiple boards need to match exactly.

We print directly onto rigid PVC board using colour-managed workflows, ensuring:

Accurate brand colours
Sharp text and line work
Solid coverage without banding
A clean, professional finish

For customers ordering foamex display boards for exhibitions, retail rollouts, or repeat campaigns, consistency between runs is just as important as first-time quality. Our production processes are built to support both.

Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

Foamex signage printing is commonly specified for indoor environments, but it also performs well outdoors when used appropriately. Weatherproof foamex signs are resistant to moisture and temperature changes, making them suitable for temporary exterior use, shopfront promotions, and site signage.

Printed foamex boards for outdoor use are often selected for:

Event signage
Property marketing
Construction and safety notices
Temporary directional signs

If you’re unsure whether foamex is the right material for your application, our team can advise on thickness, fixing options, and expected lifespan based on where and how the board will be used.

Custom sizes, short runs, and large format output

Every project is different, which is why our foamex panels are printed to size rather than forced into standard templates. From small informational signs to large format foamex printing for hoardings or retail walls, we produce boards to match your artwork and installation requirements.

Foamex panels printed in short runs are just as straightforward as larger quantities, making this an efficient option for:

One-off displays
Trial campaigns
Local promotions
Site-specific signage

Because production is handled in-house, we can maintain control over quality while keeping lead times realistic for commercial buyers.

Experience you can rely on

Inprint has been supplying commercial print since 1986, supporting organisations across healthcare, retail, education, finance, and the public sector. Our large format and signage work is produced by a dedicated team of over 30 staff, operating six days a week using a combination of proven litho expertise and modern digital print technology.

While foamex board printing sits within our large format offering, it benefits from the same standards we apply across all print work — careful file handling, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of how print is used in real environments.

Our investment in equipment and people allows us to deliver reliable quality without unnecessary complexity, whether you’re ordering through account management or via our online print platform.

Straightforward ordering and UK-wide delivery

Foamex sign printing can be ordered as part of a wider signage requirement or as a standalone product. Our online systems are designed to make ordering clear and efficient, with nationwide UK delivery included as standard.

For organisations managing multiple locations or repeat signage needs, our digital platforms also support controlled ordering, artwork consistency, and centralised distribution — reducing errors and saving time.

A practical choice for professional signage

Custom foamex signs continue to be a popular option because they balance appearance, performance, and cost. They’re easy to specify, quick to produce, and versatile enough to cover everything from retail promotions to business-critical displays.

If you need rigid signage that delivers clean results without overcomplication, printed foamex boards remain a dependable solution — produced with the experience, equipment, and consistency you’d expect from an established UK commercial printer.

Foamex Signage By Size

Find the perfect fit with Foamex signage in any size.

Understanding Foamex Board Printing

Foamex, also known as expanded PVC foam board, is a rigid, lightweight substrate widely used for indoor and short-term outdoor signage. It features a smooth, closed-cell surface ideal for UV flatbed printing, allowing sharp detail and consistent colour reproduction.

Material Composition

Density: Typically 0.45–0.55 g/cm³.
Flexural Strength: Approximately 16–18 MPa (ISO 178).
Water Absorption: <1 % (ISO 62).

Structural Benefits

Resistant to moisture, UV light, and moderate impact.
Maintains colour and shape between 0 °C and +60 °C.
Compatible with CNC cutting, routing, and drilling for bespoke designs.

Real-World Applications of Foamex Printing

Foamex signs and displays are trusted across industries for their flexibility and professional finish:

Retail: Hanging displays, window graphics, countertop signage.
Estate Agency: Weather-resistant exterior signs.
Construction: Site boards and safety signage with anti-graffiti laminate.
Healthcare & Education: Wayfinding, information boards, and temporary campaigns.
Events & Exhibitions: Lightweight panels for stands, backdrops, and branded zones.

With over 35 years in print, Inprint advises on thickness, finish, and installation best suited to each sector’s practical conditions. Our in-house print specialists have supported national retail campaigns and exhibition rollouts across the UK, advising clients on material choice and finishing for maximum visual impact.

Recommended Foamex Thickness by Application

The following table aligns with common British display standards for temporary and semi-permanent signage:

Use Case	Ideal Thickness	Typical Lifespan	Notes
Indoor Retail & POS	3 mm	3–5 years	Lightweight and easy to fix or hang.
Exhibitions & Trade Shows	5 mm	5 years+	Rigid yet portable for repeat use.
Estate Agent Boards	5 mm	1–3 years	Suitable for semi-exposed outdoor settings.
Construction & Site Signage	10 mm	3–5 years+	Increased rigidity, withstands impact and weather.
Directional / Safety Signs	5–10 mm	Variable	Select thickness based on visibility and exposure.

Standard production typically takes 5–7 working days from artwork approval, with express options available for time-sensitive projects.

Foamex vs Alternative Rigid Display Materials

Foamex offers an optimal balance of print quality, cost-efficiency, and durability, ideal for most medium-term commercial display requirements. Take a look at this table outlining how Foamex compares with other popular rigid display materials in terms of durability, weight, cost, and best-use scenarios.

Material	Durability	Weight	Cost	Recommended Use
Foamex (PVC Foam Board)	3–5 years outdoors	Light	£	Retail, events, temporary outdoor signage
Dibond (Aluminium Composite)	10+ years	Medium	£££	Long-term external displays
Acrylic (PMMA)	5–10 years	Heavy	££	Premium indoor signage
Correx (Polypropylene)	<1 year	Very light	£	Short-term campaigns or site boards

Finishing and Mounting Options

Every Foamex board can be customised for its intended environment:

Precision Contour Cutting

Clean, accurate cuts for logos, lettering, and shaped displays.

Drilled Mounting Holes

Pre-cut holes for easy wall, fence, or suspended fixing.

Surface Laminates

Gloss for colour impact, matt for reduced glare, or anti-graffiti protection.

Mounting Systems

Options include Velcro, pads, standoff bolts, or screws spaced at 600 mm.

These finishing choices allow each Foamex board to be tailored for its exact purpose, ensuring a professional appearance, secure installation, and lasting performance in any environment.

Artwork Preparation and Pre-Press Checklist

To achieve print-ready files for Foamex boards:

Submit artwork in PDF, EPS, or TIFF format with 3 mm bleed.
Maintain 300 dpi resolution at print size.
Set colour mode to CMYK (Fogra39 ICC).
Keep text and logos 5 mm from trim edges.
For shaped cuts, include a vector cut path layer.

This ensures your artwork meets pre-press standards for rigid substrate printing and avoids production delays.

UV Printing Technology and Colour Accuracy

Our UV-curable ink system produces long-lasting, fade-resistant prints directly onto the PVC foam surface.

Resolution: Up to 1200 dpi for text and photographic clarity.
Colour Calibration: Managed using Fogra39 CMYK profiles and Pantone spot-colour control for dependable brand accuracy.
Durability: Prints last up to 5 years outdoors (with lamination) and significantly longer indoors under normal lighting.
Environmental Control: Our production process includes strict quality checks and eco-conscious practices for consistent colour accuracy.

These precise production controls ensure every Foamex board delivers consistent colour, sharp definition, and professional grade longevity across every batch.

Quality Assurance and Standards

Inprint follows (British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) best-practice guidance for colour management and finishing quality), supported by (FESPA research on UV ink adhesion) for rigid substrates.

Our team performs daily calibration of UV flatbed presses and manual inspection of every board to maintain consistency and surface integrity across runs. Each job undergoes internal quality control checks at every production stage to ensure accurate colour, clean finishing, and consistent results from first print to final dispatch.

Trusted by UK Businesses Since 1986

As one of the South’s most established commercial printers, Inprint has produced thousands of Foamex boards for clients across retail, healthcare, and the public sector. With nearly four decades of experience, we guarantee colour consistency, fast turnaround, and dependable service.

Contact our team today to discuss your Foamex board printing project — or request a free sample and discover why UK businesses trust Inprint for quality that lasts.

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Here’s what our customers have to say

      GOOD  
   Based on 13 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Carol Hawkins 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ordered a memory board for a family funeral. Ordering was straight forward, delivery was quick and the board itself was perfect.
  
 
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   leanne davies 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. great product & fantastic customer service, even met strict fast turnaround deadline, will use again! Many thanks
  
 
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   Sharon Hall Shipp 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent customer service and brilliant printing. Very pleased and will use again.
  
 
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   Oliver Parker 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very  efficient service at a good price
  
 
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   Jack Waller 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Whoever answers the phone at this company is the most lovely polite lady I have encountered over the phone and can assist with any needs. Great customer service and business.
  
 
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   Perry Preston 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dealt with this company before 4 years ago still had my details - no messing about straight down to business. Why go anywhere else ? I don't !!! Highly recommended 10/10
  
 
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   Tatiana Fediuk 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Inprint Group for over 2 years already, I must say they are the best of all print suppliers we had. In terms of delivery timing, print quality, feedback, quick responses and urgent orders - all is always perfect. Recently we had an emergency re-print request and Gary helped a lot and very quickly sorted this for us. I just want to say Thank you!
  
 
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   Bee Bee 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chaotic place no parking available Entrance blocked by fork lifts boxes and pallets but otherwise generally helpful. Just park down the road and walk in if you can.
  
 
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   Technical Marine Supplies 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Top class service from initial contact to final product. We needed some printed banners urgently and Inprint went above and beyond to ensure this happened. Really excellent service, thank you from Technical Marine Supplies.

Sustainable Printing

Environmentally responsible materials & processes.

Responsibly sourced • Conservation partner • Low-carbon options

Foamex Board Printing: Frequently Asked Questions

When ordering printed foamex boards, buyers often want reassurance around durability, print quality, sizing options, and turnaround times. The answers below focus on practical considerations that affect the final result, from material thickness to weather resistance and mounting. This section is designed to remove last-minute uncertainty so you can place an order with confidence.