Foamex or Corex
Foamex is the one for signs people see up close. Corex is the one for a short spell outdoors, tied to something and treated roughly.
Looks against practicality.
Here is the difference in a sentence: Foamex is a smooth, solid sheet that gives a print a crisp, finished look, and Corex is a ribbed plastic sheet that is hard to upset. Both are waterproof sheets, so the real choice is about appearance, handling and how you intend to fix them.
Four real signs, four answers
| The sign | Choice | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Menu board inside a café | Foamex | Seen at arm's length, so the ribs in Corex would show |
| Parking arrows at a village show | Corex | Rain, cable ties and a van, and only needed for one weekend |
| Exhibition panel with photographs | Foamex | Smooth surface does justice to the image |
| Temporary notice tied to site fencing | Corex | Simple to fix through the sheet, and cheap to replace |
What Corex does better
- Bending without breaking. It flexes and springs back, where thin Foamex can crease or snap at a corner.
- Weight. It is usually the lighter of the two.
- Tying up. Cable ties and wire go through it easily, and the channels can take a stake or wire leg.
What Foamex does better
- Finish. The surface is flat, so photographs and small text look sharp.
- Edges. A cut edge is solid, where Corex shows open channels on two sides.
- Choice of thickness. We list 1mm, 3mm, 5mm and 10mm, so you can scale it up for a larger panel.
- Hanging indoors. It takes Velcro and adhesive pads better than polypropylene, which is a slippery surface that many tapes dislike.
Does price matter here?
| Board | A2 | A1 | A0 | 30in x 20in | 40in x 30in | 60in x 40in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corex | £6 | £10 | £20 | £8 | £15 | £30 |
| 3mm Foamex | £7 | £12 | £20 | £10 | £20 | £35 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Only a little. For a small number of boards, the difference is unlikely to change your decision, and at A0 there is none. On a large run of signs it adds up more, and quantity discounts are available on either, so ask for both when you request a quote.
The mistake to avoid
Do not choose Corex to save money on a sign that lives in a shop window or on a reception desk. The ribs show up as faint lines when light falls across the board, and visitors may read it as a temporary sign. Equally, do not send thin Foamex to a muddy field and expect it back in one piece. Our guide to Corex boards for short events has more on fixing, and Foamex printing covers that board in depth.
Print for indoors and out.
Your questions.
Are Foamex and Corex both waterproof?
The sheets themselves do not soak up water. What matters is the print on the front, so ask for a suitable face if the sign is going outdoors.
Is Corex suitable for an estate agent style sign?
It is commonly used for that kind of temporary board. Our estate agent boards page has more on what to think about.
Which one is better on a hot, sunny wall?
Neither is ideal for a long stay in full sun. If the sign has to last, look at an aluminium composite panel instead.