— Foam Board Material

Foam Board for Indoor Signs and Displays

Foam board is a very light display material made from a polystyrene foam core with paper facers. It is commonly used for indoor event signs, presentations, mounted prints, temporary displays, and short-term promotional graphics.

Material

Paper-Faced Foam Board

Common Thicknesses

1/8 · 3/16 · 1/2 in

Environment

Indoor

Graphics

Direct Print · Mounted Prints

— Overview

What Is Foam Board?

Foam board combines a lightweight foam center with smooth paper faces that accept printed graphics and mounted artwork.

FOME-COR, a major commercial foam board line, uses extruded polystyrene foam with coated or uncoated paper facers and is positioned for short-term interior displays because of its low weight, print surface, and easy fabrication.

Event Signs Welcome signs, schedules, directional panels, sponsor signs, and presentation boards.

Mounted Prints Photos, posters, maps, charts, and graphics mounted to a rigid backer.

Retail Displays Temporary promotional panels and presentation graphics.

Easel Displays Lightweight signs that can be moved and set up without heavy hardware.

— Thickness

Common Foam Board Thicknesses

Thickness changes stiffness and edge depth, but foam board remains a lightweight display material.

1/8"

Thin Board
Useful for small mounted graphics and displays with support.

Less rigid than thicker foam boards.

3/16"

Common Display Gauge
A familiar starting point for presentation boards and short-term indoor signs.

Balances low weight with enough body for many tabletop and easel displays.

1/2"

Thicker Display Board
Provides more depth and stiffness.

Useful where a more substantial edge and stronger board feel are wanted.

— Printing & Mounting

How Graphics Are Added to Foam Board

White coated foam board provides a smooth face for direct printing and mounting. It can also be knife-cut or die-cut for presentation and display work.

Direct Print Full-color graphics can be printed directly on compatible board.

Mounted Graphics Printed posters and photographs can be mounted to the face.

Knife Cutting Straight cuts and simple shapes are easy to produce.

Double-Sided Displays Both faces can be used when the board and display setup call for it.

— Limitations

Where Foam Board Does Not Fit

Standard paper-faced foam board is not a general outdoor sign substrate. Moisture can affect the paper facers, and corners can dent or crush with rough handling.

Think of foam board as an indoor display material.

If the sign needs repeated handling, more impact resistance, moisture resistance, or long-term use, Ultraboard, PVC, ACM, or another rigid substrate may be a better choice.

— Choosing the Material

When Foam Board Is the Right Choice

Consider another material when

— Choosing the Material

When Aluminum Is the Right Choice

Cut to Size Rectangular and custom-size panels.

Custom Shapes Routed or cut profiles for project-specific designs.

Drilled or Punched Holes For posts, walls, fences, frames, or hanging hardware.

Rounded Corners Common on parking, property, and safety-style signs.

Deburred Edges Rough cut edges are cleaned during fabrication.

Bends & Forming Possible on projects designed around the selected sheet and fabrication method.

Solid Aluminum Sheet

Quick Facts

Material

Paper-Faced Foam Board

Common Gauges

3/16 in

Environment

Indoor

Common Uses

Events · Displays · Presentations

Related Materials

Not Sure Which Material Fits?

Send the sign size, location, mounting method, artwork, and a site photo if you have one.

— Need Help Choosing a Sign Material?

Tell Us What the Sign Needs to Do

We can compare materials based on the sign size, location, graphics, mounting method, project term, and site conditions.

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