Foamex Material Guide

Foamex is a rigid hardwearing PVC foam that is compressed to create a lightweight weather-proof board. It is also known under the names Foam PVC, Foamalite or Foam Board PVC. The material is suitable for short and medium-term indoor and outdoor use. Foamex is an eco-friendly material that can be recycled along with other PVC products.

Our Foamex signs are printed using the latest printing technology and HP latex inks. This technology produces print results that are vivid in colour and extremely sharp. The Foamex boards are also finished with a scratch-resistant coating to protect from scratches and the weather, increasing your sign's longevity. 

The signs are available in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses. Standard sheet size is 2440mm x 1220mm for the 3mm and 5mm, but custom sizes can be purchased online using the built-in Foamex size calculator. The 3mm version is recommended for indoor use due to its flexibility, meaning it will not withstand outdoor conditions as well as the 5mm version. However, this can be overcome by attaching a plywood or MDF board onto the back of the 3mm Foamex, or affixing it to a wall. 

Foamex is 100% weatherproof and is unaffected by changes in temperature, so it can used for many outdoor applications. It also has an excellent fire rating, making it ideal for indoor use as well.*

For an additional cost, laminates can be added to the Foam sign to improve visibility and longevity. Our matt option is a scratch-resistant PVC laminate which prevents scratches on the graphic. The anti-graffiti laminate is a great premium option as it means that graffiti can be easily removed using common solvents (like acetone or methanol) without damaging the print. 

Foamex is ideal for contour cutting due to its smooth edges. We can cut the signs to custom shapes, for example for life-size cut outs of characters, using our state-of-the-art Zund flatbed cutter.

*Fire retardancy: BS746: Part 7: Class 1 M1 and B1 (dependant on application).

To mount Foamex signs you can drill directly through the material to either nail it to mounting posts or attach cable ties. Alternatively, the signs can be attached to trade show stands or temporary stands with Velcro or double sided tape. We also have a range of rigid panel holders specifically designed for Foamex signs.