Choosing the Right Foamex Board Thickness for Your Job

Foamex board is indeed the first choice for the large format printing industry when it comes to signage, indoor or outdoor. It’s been a bestseller product for many years now.

Foamex printed signs are extensively used in several promotional or marketing campaigns, from huge exhibition displays to small promotional marketing.

With better sign production, durability, and longevity, this product has gained tremendous popularity.

Foamex boards are available in multiple colours, thicknesses and end-finish, so it becomes vital to choose the correct option best suited for the needs and execution of the signages.

What are the variations available in Foamex boards?

• Thickness: Available in 10 different thicknesses, however the popular choices are 3mm, 5mm and 10mm
• Size – Maximum Sheet Size: 1500mm x 3000mm
• Colour: There are a wide range of coloured foamex sheets such as Red, Blue, Green, Orange, and Black. However, the most popular colour is white.
• Finish: Matt Lamination, Gloss Lamination, Anti-graffiti Lamination, Dry Wipe Lamination, Crystal Lamination

In this blog, we will discuss and talk about everything you should know about the thicknesses of Foamex boards.

Foamex board is available in 10 different thicknesses – from 1mm to 19mm. But the three most commonly used Foamex boards are available in:

• 3mm
• 5mm
• 10mm

Now you know the standard thicknesses, but how would you know which one is right for the project you have in hand?

Let us discuss all three thicknesses one by one and talk about their details, features and applications along with their limitations and disadvantages if any.

But before we discuss, let us see the applications and features of Foamex boards.

You can see Foamex boards almost everywhere-

• Exhibition Panels
• Mounting Artwork
• Advertising Boards
• Safety Signs
• Estate Boards
• Information Boards
• Shop Displays
• Construction Signage
• Safety Signage
• Table-top Signs

What are the most common features of Foamex boards?

The most common features of Foamex boards, be it 3mm, 5mm and 10mm, are:

• LIGHTWEIGHT: Made of foamed PVC, the Foamex is moisture and corrosion-resistant. It is very lightweight. You will get the right blend of sturdiness and durability in 3mm, 5mm and 10mm thicknesses.
• STRONG: The Foamex board of any thickness comes with sturdiness, which of course increases with its thickness. Also, due to its chemical composition, it is quite strong and resilient.
• FLEXIBLE: Being lightweight, the Foamex board has the right blend of elasticity along with flexibility. And so it could be contoured in a significant way.
• EASY TO FABRICATE: The Foamex board is an easy to fabricate material, as it could be cut to desired size and shape and is printed easily.
• DURABLE: The Foamex board is a quite durable material due to its overall strength, flexibility, and easy to fabricate applications.

The 3mm Foamex: the preferred choice for indoor signage applications

The 3mm Foamex thickness is most widely used for most short-term indoor and outdoor displays. Being lightweight, it is the perfect material for signage projects and most suited for indoor applications to avoid weathering, strong winds or extreme weather conditions.

Out of three thicknesses, 3mm being the thinnest is also the most cost-effective. The signage in the 3mm board needs support, and so it cannot be used as a standalone display.

It is the best option for large cladding surfaces, as being lightweight; it could be fixed even with Velcro support, thus not harming walls of the exhibition halls or commercial spaces.

Also, being flexible, it can be bent around a curve, thus giving a creative advantage while executing a display.

The 5mm Foamex: an ideal choice for those who do not want to compromise on quality

The 5mm Foamex thickness has all the qualities in the right proportion. It is like a mid-way option, which is…

• Lightweight yet solid
• Flexible yet stiff, and
• Robust for outdoor signage.

The 5mm Foamex is famous for signage projects, which require outdoor and indoor displays for short to medium-term timelines.

For those who do not like to negotiate on quality to save a few pennies, 5mm Foamex is the perfect medium for your needs. This thickness adds extra stiffness to the signage and displays, which is not there in 3mm. So, it is easy to mount and could be placed outdoors.

Being flexible, it is easy to cut into shape and desired sizes. Also, it is easy to be transported and mounted.

That is why 5mm Foamex is preferred for movable signage which is constantly relocated from one place to another. Being lightweight, they can be easily handled by a single person as well.

For selfie frames or life-size cutouts for advertising or promotional campaigns, the 5mm Foamex is the ideal choice.

The 10mm Foamex: the perfect alternative to expensive plywood panels or aluminium sheets

If you want a sturdy and robust option, which remains durable even in extreme weather conditions, choose the 10mm thickness of the Foamex.

• 10mm thickness is most suited for digital printing
• End finish in 10mm is crisp and outstanding
• 10mm signage & display attract more eye-balls and grab more attention

Comparing 10mm to other materials with similar properties gives much better value for money.

It has the best resistance to heat, sunlight and water. It is advisable to choose 10mm thickness for outdoor signage and displays for long-term projects.

This thickness is also a highly insulating material. Therefore, it is best to opt for 10mm in humid environment or outdoors.

Overall, 10mm Foamex is commonly used as an alternative to more expensive plywood panels or aluminium sheets. Due to its thickness and smooth surface, 10mm is also the number one choice to attach adhesive graphics.

Now that you know all about the different thicknesses of the Foamex, it’s time to choose the best one for your project. You can contact the professionals who will help you get the best thickness according to your specific requirement and budget.