Printing on rigid board
Most rigid panels are built in layers: a print, a board and sometimes a seal. Understanding those layers makes it much easier to order what you need.
A panel is usually a stack.
Our price list treats print and board as separate items because that is how the work is done. A print is produced on a flexible material, then bonded to the board. A surface layer can go on top. This gives you a lot of combinations, and you only pay for the layers the job needs.
Some boards can also be printed directly. If that is what your designer has specified, ask us whether it suits the board and the job.
Five decisions, in order
- Where will it go? Indoors or outdoors rules out some boards straight away. See rigid boards for outdoor signs if it is going outside.
- How big is it? Thin boards bow at large sizes. Our guide to choosing board thickness takes you through it.
- What will people see? The print surface carries the image. Photo paper, vinyl and other media all look different on the same board.
- Will it be touched? A panel at hand height benefits from a seal, which adds protection for the print.
- How will it be fixed? Tell us about struts, Velcro, magnetic tape or holes, as these are all easier to plan before the board is finished.
One panel, priced by layer
Say you want an A1 display panel for a reception. Here is how the listed items line up:
| Layer | Choice | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Photo silk 135gsm | £20 | |
| Board | 5mm Foamex | £14 |
| Surface | Seal | £10 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Swap the board and the price changes. At A1, 3mm Dibond is £24 and MDF is £40. Change the print to self-adhesive vinyl and that line becomes £25. You may not need the seal at all, as a panel behind glass or high on a wall has little to fear from hands. Ask us to price the combination you settle on, as your quote may take in quantity, size and fixings.
Common board families
- Foamex. Foam PVC. Light, and very widely used for signs and displays.
- Polyboard. Foam-centred board. Very light, for indoor use.
- Dibond. Aluminium composite. Stiff and suited to longer-term signs.
- Corex. Fluted plastic. Economical for short outdoor use.
- MDF. Dense, heavy and for dry interiors.
For a broader view of these finishing options, see mounting and laminating.
Finished panels on show.
Your questions.
Can a poster I already own be put on a board?
Often it can. Our guide to mounting a poster you already own explains what we need to see, and what can go wrong with older prints.
What happens at the edges of a mounted print?
The edge of the board stays visible from the side. Each board looks different there, so check our guide to board edges if the panel will be seen from an angle.
Will a board warp after mounting?
Any board with print on one side can move slightly with heat and humidity. Larger, thinner boards are the most affected, so store them flat.