Lightweight boards for hanging
Anything that hangs has to be carried by something else: a wire, a hook, a strip of Velcro. Start with that limit and work back to the board.
Light, lighter, and too floppy.
Rank the boards on our list by weight and they fall in a fairly clear order. Polyboard and Corex are the lightest. Foamex comes next, and it gets heavier quickly as it gets thicker. Dibond is heavier again, and MDF is at the far end. Light is not the only requirement, however. A hanging board also has to stay flat by itself, and that is where the thinnest sheets fall down. 1mm Foamex weighs very little but it has almost no stiffness at larger sizes, so it needs support along an edge.
Match the board to the fixing
| Fixing | Board to consider | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Velcro on a smooth wall | 3mm or 5mm Polyboard, 3mm Foamex | Strength depends on the paint as much as on the pad |
| Hooks on a picture rail | 5mm Foamex, 5mm Polyboard | Holes need to be reinforced or set well in from the edge |
| Wires from a ceiling | 5mm Polyboard, 3mm or 5mm Foamex | Panel can turn in moving air, so fix top and bottom if you can |
| Ties to a barrier or railing | Corex | Good outdoors, but the ribs may show at close range |
How the numbers compare
Polyboard and Foamex cost the same at 3mm in every size on our list, so your choice between them is about weight and toughness instead. Corex costs a little less at most sizes.
| Board | A2 | A1 | A0 | 40in x 30in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm Polyboard | £7 | £12 | £20 | £20 |
| 3mm Foamex | £7 | £12 | £20 | £20 |
| 5mm Polyboard | £8 | £14 | £25 | £22 |
| Corex | £6 | £10 | £20 | £15 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Three things to plan early
Holes. Foam boards tear out if the load sits on one small hole near an edge. Keep holes well in from the corners, and ask us about reinforcing them on anything large. Two hanging points are always better than one.
The back. A panel hanging in open space gets seen from behind. Printing both sides, or backing it with a plain sheet, stops visitors looking at bare board, and a matching layer on the back can also help a large panel stay flat.
Air. Air conditioning, opening doors and heaters will make a light board twist and swing. Heavier does not always mean worse. A slightly stiffer panel, or a fixing at the bottom, can stop the movement.
Anything over people's heads
If a board hangs above a walkway, it needs sign-off from whoever is responsible for that building. Exhibition halls usually have their own rigging rules and may insist on using their own contractor. Ask for the weight limit and the approved method first, then specify the board. We can tell you what your panels are made of, but we cannot approve a ceiling. Our notes on ceiling hanging banners cover a fabric alternative that is lighter still.
Graphics held in open space.
Your questions.
How heavy will my panel be?
It depends on the board and the size. Tell us both, and if a venue has given you a weight limit, mention it when you ask for a price so we can check the choice with you.
Can hanging panels be double-sided?
Yes, ask us. Two prints can be mounted back to back, which also tends to keep the panel flatter than a print on one side only.
Should I use a banner instead?
For a very large hanging graphic, usually yes. Fabric or PVC with a bar weighs less per square metre than most boards and will roll up for transport.