3mm Foamex boards
If you have ever seen a printed sign in a shop or at a trade show, there is a good chance it was 3mm Foamex. Its limits depend mainly on size.
What to expect at each size.
Three millimetres is enough to make a stiff, light panel at everyday sizes. As the sheet gets bigger, it gets floppier, so check your size in the table below. The notes are a rough guide, and the way it is fixed matters as much as the dimensions.
| Size | Price | How it usually behaves |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | £7 | Holds flat easily; light enough for a sticky pad |
| 30in x 20in | £10 | Stays flat if fixed at the edges |
| A1 | £12 | Stays flat if fixed at the edges |
| A0 | £20 | Starts to bow without support along an edge |
| 40in x 30in | £20 | Starts to bow without support along an edge |
| 60in x 40in | £35 | Needs a full backing wall or a thicker board |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Prices are for mounting, so add these to the print you choose.
Why it became the default
It is rigid foam PVC with a smooth, clean surface. It is light enough to post, easy to cut and easy to drill, and it does not mind a little damp. For a sign in a shop, a panel at a one-week show or a menu board in a café, it does what is needed for very little.
How to fix it
On a clean, smooth wall, Velcro and foam pads hold it well, and the panel comes down when the event is over. Drilled corners and screw caps suit a more lasting sign. If you are drilling, keep holes well clear of the edges, as foam board can split there. Standing panels need a strut, and our page on struts for boards goes through the options.
Signs that you need more board
- The panel has to lean on something, or stand on a table without a backing.
- It will be moved about all day, with people gripping its edges.
- It will sit on a sunny wall, where heat can make Foamex move.
- It is hanging from the top edge only, at a large size.
Any of these may push you towards 5mm Foamex, or to a stiffer aluminium board. Our comparison of Dibond or Foamex sets out that decision.
Outdoors
It will take rain, and is often used for short-term outside signs. Sun and repeated temperature change are harder on it than water is, and dark colours warm up quickly. For a sign that is meant to last, choose something built for the job.
Everyday display panels.
Your questions.
Is 3mm Foamex strong enough to stand on an easel?
At A2 or A1, usually. A large panel may bow on an easel, so ask us about 5mm if it will spend a lot of time there.
Does the board come in other colours?
White is the usual choice under a print. If you want something else, or a coloured back, ask us what is possible.
Can it be cut into a shape?
Tell us the shape you need and supply a cutting line with your artwork, and we will confirm whether it can be done.