MDF mounted prints
Most boards on our list are chosen for being light. MDF is chosen for the opposite reason: it feels like joinery, and it can be screwed into like joinery.
Why anyone would pick the heavy option.
Medium density fibreboard is made from fine wood fibres pressed with resin into a dense, even sheet. A print mounted on it does not flex, rattle or sound hollow when tapped. In a shop fit, a set build or a piece of display furniture, that solidity matters. Plastics can look out of place next to timber, and MDF sits comfortably among it.
Jobs it suits
- Printed panels built into counters, shelving or display plinths
- Scenery and props, where a carpenter will work the board on site
- Interior feature panels with a heavy, permanent feel
- Pieces that need to be screwed into from the back
Jobs to keep it away from
Water is the big one. Ordinary MDF swells when it gets wet, and the edges go first, so it has no place outdoors. Bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere near a leaking window are risky too. Our guide to materials for damp rooms gives alternatives.
Weight rules it out next. A large panel can be a two-person lift, and it must be fixed to something that can carry it. Hollow partition walls and temporary stands may not. Anything going overhead should be a different board altogether.
How it compares on price
MDF is one of the dearer boards on our list. Look at the figures before you assume wood will be the economical choice.
| Board | A1 | A0 | 40in x 30in | 60in x 40in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF | £40 | £55 | £62 | £80 |
| 10mm Foamex | £30 | £40 | £35 | £60 |
| 3mm Dibond | £24 | £35 | £30 | £55 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
A quick test before you commit
- Will it ever get wet, or sit against a damp wall? If so, stop here.
- Will the back or the edges be worked on, or screwed into? This is a point in its favour.
- Can the structure take the weight, and can two people get it there? Measure stairs and turns as well as doors.
- Will the edges show? Cut MDF has a plain, slightly fibrous edge, so plan for it to be painted, trimmed or set into a frame.
If you answered well on all four, MDF is a sound choice. If only the look appeals, a framed print may give you the same warmth for less weight.
Tell us the thickness you need
Our price list gives one MDF line. If a joiner has specified a thickness, or the panel has to slot into a rebate, pass that on when you enquire so we can confirm what is possible. It is also worth asking the joiner who will cut any final shapes, because that affects how the print is finished.
Solid panels in interiors.
Your questions.
Can an MDF mounted print go in a bathroom?
It is best avoided. Steam and splashes can reach the edges and cause swelling. Foamex or aluminium composite will cope better there.
Will the panel warp over time?
A dense board resists bowing well, but any sheet with a print on one face can react to heat and humidity. Keep it away from radiators, and fix it rather than leaning it against a wall.
Can a carpenter cut the board after mounting?
Possibly, but a saw can chip a print at the cut line. If shapes are needed, talk to us first so the cut can be planned before the print goes on.