1. Indoor vs Outdoor Poster Printing: Which Material Do You Need?

    Not all posters are created equal. A poster designed to hang in a bright, dry retail interior has very different requirements to one that needs to survive a Brighton seafront in February. Choosing the wrong material for your display environment is one of the most common — and most avoidable — print mistakes. In this guide, we explain the key differences between indoor and outdoor poster materials, which products are right for which environments, and what to consider when making your choice.

    Indoor Poster Printing

    Indoor posters are printed on paper-based stocks — typically silk, gloss or uncoated — and are designed for display in controlled environments away from moisture, direct sunlight and physical wear. Paper posters offer excellent colour reproduction, a professional finish and a wide range of size and stock options at a competitive price point.

    Silk and Gloss Paper

    The most popular stocks for indoor poster printing. Silk produces rich, accurate colour with a smooth, semi-matt surface. Gloss produces the most vivid, saturated colour of any paper stock — ideal for bold, image-led designs. Both are available in multiple weights from 90gsm to 350gsm.

    Best for: Retail displays, office interiors, exhibition walls, restaurant and café interiors, event venues, noticeboards and snap frames. See our poster printing range.

    Uncoated Paper

    A natural, slightly textured surface that produces softer, more muted colours than coated stocks. Popular with brands that want a less commercial, more organic aesthetic. Also writeable — useful for posters with fill-in sections or changeable information.

    Best for: Artisan businesses, eco-conscious brands, professional services with an understated aesthetic.

    Backlit Film

    A specialist translucent film designed specifically for lightbox displays. Printed with dye-sublimation or UV inks that are optimised for backlighting — producing glowing, vibrant colour when illuminated that standard paper cannot replicate. See our backlit poster printing.

    Best for: Lightbox displays, illuminated snap frames, retail window displays and any application where the poster will be viewed with light behind it.

    Outdoor Poster Printing

    Paper posters are not suitable for outdoor use. Moisture causes paper to warp, tear and degrade rapidly — even in light rain. For any outdoor display, you need a waterproof material that can withstand the elements without losing colour quality or structural integrity.

    PVC (220mic and 400mic)

    PVC is the standard material for outdoor poster printing. It is fully waterproof, UV-resistant and durable enough for extended outdoor display. Available in two thicknesses:

    • 220mic PVC — lighter and more flexible. Easier to install and suitable for shorter-term outdoor displays, events and promotions where the poster will be up for days or weeks
    • 400mic PVC — heavier and more rigid. Better suited to longer-term outdoor installations and applications where greater durability and resistance to handling are required

    Best for: Outdoor events, forecourt displays, construction hoarding, retail window displays (viewed from outside), sports venues, outdoor advertising and any application where rain, wind or UV exposure is a factor. See our waterproof poster printing.

    Correx (Fluted Polypropylene)

    Correx is a rigid, fluted plastic board — the same material used for estate agent signs and temporary event signage. It is waterproof, lightweight and self-supporting without a frame. Not strictly a poster material, but often used for the same outdoor display purposes where a rigid, freestanding sign is needed. See our Correx board printing.

    Aluminium Composite (Dibond/ACM)

    For permanent or semi-permanent outdoor signage where maximum durability and a premium appearance are required, aluminium composite panels are the professional choice. Rigid, weatherproof and available in large format sizes. See our aluminium composite signage.

    How Long Will an Outdoor Poster Last?

    The lifespan of an outdoor poster depends on the material, the display conditions and the level of UV exposure:

    • 220mic PVC — typically suitable for weeks to a few months of outdoor display in normal UK conditions
    • 400mic PVC — can last several months to over a year depending on conditions
    • Correx — typically 6–12 months for outdoor display
    • Aluminium composite — several years with appropriate UV-resistant inks

    UV exposure is the primary cause of colour fading in outdoor print. South-facing displays in direct sunlight will fade faster than sheltered or north-facing positions.

    Can I Use an Indoor Poster Outdoors Temporarily?

    Paper posters are not recommended for any outdoor use, even briefly. A single rain shower is enough to warp and damage a paper poster beyond use. If you need a temporary outdoor display — even for a single day event — use PVC or Correx rather than paper. The cost difference is modest and the result is far more reliable.

    Size Guide

    Both indoor and outdoor posters are available in standard sizes:

    • A3 (297×420mm) — close-range indoor display
    • A2 (420×594mm) — indoor and sheltered outdoor
    • A1 (594×841mm) — high-visibility indoor and outdoor
    • A0 (841×1189mm) — large-format indoor and outdoor display
    • 20×30in, 40×30in, 60×40in — larger format display sizes

    See our guide: How to Choose the Right Poster Size

    Artwork Setup

    Print Your Posters in Brighton & Hove

    Dipol Print offers indoor poster printing on silk, gloss and uncoated paper and outdoor poster printing on 220mic and 400mic PVC for businesses across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK. Collect from our print shop at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP or order online for UK-wide delivery. Not sure which material is right for your display? Get in touch — we're happy to advise.