1. The Best Ways to Use Foam Boards for Your Business

    Foam boards — printed on rigid PVC foam board, also known as Foamex — are one of the most underrated display products in print. They're lightweight, rigid, clean-edged, cost-effective and capable of producing excellent print quality. Yet many businesses either don't know about them or haven't considered how many different applications they suit. In this guide, we share the most effective ways to use printed foam boards across a wide range of business environments.

    What Are Foam Boards?

    Foam boards are rigid panels made from a PVC foam core with smooth flat faces. They are available in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses and are printed using the EFI VUTEk H5 large format printer for sharp, vibrant full colour results. The result is a rigid, flat, professional-looking display panel that can be wall-mounted, displayed on an easel, placed in a window or used freestanding in appropriate holders.

    Foam boards are primarily an indoor product — they can be used outdoors in short-term or sheltered positions but are not rated for prolonged outdoor exposure. For outdoor rigid signage, see our Correx boards and aluminium composite panels. See our full foam board printing range.

    Retail Point-of-Sale Displays

    Foam boards are one of the most popular point-of-sale display products for retail environments. A printed foam board on an easel or in a counter holder communicates promotions, new products, pricing and brand messaging at exactly the right moment — when a customer is in your store and making purchasing decisions.

    Common retail uses include:

    • Promotional displays highlighting sale items or new arrivals
    • Product information boards at shelf or counter level
    • Pricing displays for markets, pop-up shops and product launches
    • Window-facing display panels visible from the street
    • Queue management signage at tills and service points

    Estate Agent Window Displays

    Foam boards are the standard display format for estate agent window displays — property listings, sold boards and new instruction announcements displayed in window-facing frames or hung directly in the window. The rigid, flat format and excellent print quality make foam boards ideal for the close-range viewing that window displays require.

    Exhibition and Event Display

    At exhibitions and events, foam boards provide a cost-effective alternative to more expensive display systems for smaller stands and secondary display positions. On an easel or in a floor stand, a large foam board creates a professional branded display at a fraction of the cost of a roller banner or pop-up display.

    Common exhibition uses include:

    • Speaker profiles and biographies at conferences
    • Session schedules and event programmes displayed at registration
    • Product or service information boards at exhibition stands
    • Sponsor acknowledgement displays
    • Directional signage inside venues

    Restaurant and Hospitality Display

    For restaurants, cafés and bars, foam boards offer a flexible and updatable display format for menus, specials boards, event announcements and promotional messaging:

    • Daily specials boards on easels at the entrance
    • Menu displays at counter or bar level
    • Event and promotion announcements
    • Window-facing promotional panels
    • Table number displays at events and private dining

    Office and Corporate Display

    In office environments, foam boards create professional branded displays for reception areas, meeting rooms and communal spaces:

    • Reception area brand panels — company values, mission statements and brand imagery
    • Meeting room identification panels
    • Health and safety and compliance notices
    • Staff communication boards
    • Wayfinding signage within a building

    School and Educational Display

    Schools, colleges and universities use foam boards extensively for display within buildings:

    • Open day and prospectus displays
    • Examination and assessment timetables
    • Departmental and subject area displays
    • Achievement and award recognition displays
    • Event and activity promotion

    Healthcare and Professional Services

    For GP surgeries, dental practices, opticians and professional services offices, foam boards provide professional, hygienic display surfaces for patient and client information:

    • Waiting area information displays
    • Service and treatment information boards
    • Staff profile displays
    • Appointment and procedure guidance

    Photography and Art Display

    Foam boards are a popular and cost-effective mounting format for photographic prints and artwork for exhibition and display. The rigid flat surface provides a clean, professional presentation without the weight or cost of framed prints. Artists, photographers and galleries use foam-mounted prints for exhibitions, open studios and art fairs.

    Choosing 3mm vs 5mm

    • 3mm — lighter, more flexible and more cost-effective. Suitable for most standard display applications — retail, events, estates agents and office display
    • 5mm — thicker, more rigid and more substantial in the hand. Better for larger panels where rigidity matters, for panels that will be handled frequently, or for premium applications where the additional weight communicates quality

    Artwork Setup

    Foam Board Printing in Brighton & Hove

    Dipol Print produces foam boards in 3mm and 5mm thickness across a wide range of sizes 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. Need advice on the right size or thickness for your application? Get in touch with our team.