Custom Printed Rigid Sign Boards
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Rigid printed boards for retail, exhibitions, site signage and property marketing — Foamex and Correx, printed full colour and cut to size. Supplied UK-wide from Enfield, North London.
Key Features
- Foamex (foam PVC) — smooth, premium finish for indoor and outdoor semi-permanent signage
- Correx (corrugated plastic) — lightweight and economical for temporary outdoor signs
- Full-colour print, standard and bespoke sizes
- Estate agent boards, site hoarding graphics, exhibition panels, POS displays
What Is Foamex? (In Plain English)
Foamex is foamed (expanded) PVC — a rigid board with a closed-cell foam core and a smooth, printable surface. You may also see it called Forex, Palight or simply foam PVC. The closed-cell structure means it doesn't absorb water, stays flat and prints crisply — it's the workhorse of professional signage: light enough to handle easily, rigid enough to look premium.
What Thickness Foamex Do I Need?
| Thickness | Rigidity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3mm | Light, slightly flexible | Indoor wall signs, POS, mounted posters, short-term promos; can curve around wide pillars |
| 5mm | The versatile all-rounder | Exhibitions, shop windows, general indoor/outdoor signage |
| 10mm | High rigidity | Freestanding, larger or longer-term displays where strength shows |
Rule of thumb: mounted flat to a wall, 3mm is often enough; standing up to handling, weather or size, step up to 5mm or 10mm.
Foamex vs Correx vs Dibond: Which Board?
| Correx | Foamex | Dibond (ACM) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Fluted (corrugated) polypropylene | Foamed PVC | Aluminium composite |
| Weight | Lightest | Light | Heavier, still manageable |
| Outdoor life | Months to ~1–2 years (UV makes it brittle) | Around 3–5 years with UV-stable inks | 5–10+ years |
| Cost | Cheapest | Mid | Premium |
| Best for | Estate boards, site notices, temporary events | Retail, exhibitions, semi-permanent signage | Shop fascia, permanent branding |
In short: Correx for temporary, Foamex for the versatile middle, Dibond when it must last years and look premium — ask us if you need the aluminium tier.
Estate Agent & Site Boards: The UK Rules (General Information)
In England, residential sale/letting boards generally have "deemed consent" (no separate advertising application) when a single board is no larger than 0.5m² (0.6m² for two joined boards), one board per property, not illuminated, no higher than 4.6m, and removed within 14 days of completion or let. Boards on commercial premises can be larger (up to 2m²). Some London boroughs remove deemed consent in conservation areas and town centres, so always check with the local planning authority. Construction-site hoarding graphics have their own deemed-consent limits (up to 38m², max 3 years, with 14 days' written notice to the council, and not in conservation areas). This is general information, not legal advice.
Artwork
Print-ready PDF preferred; 3mm bleed. Large boards are viewed from distance, so 100–150 DPI at full size is plenty. Vector logos scale perfectly.
FAQs
What is Foamex made of? Expanded/foamed PVC with a smooth printable skin.
What thickness do I need? 3mm wall-mounted/short-term, 5mm all-round, 10mm freestanding/premium.
How long do Correx signs last outside? A few months to 1–2 years — UV eventually makes them brittle and fades the print.
Foamex vs Dibond? Dibond (aluminium composite) is the far more durable premium tier; Foamex is lighter and cheaper.
How big can an estate agent board be? Residential boards generally up to 0.5m² under deemed consent — check local conservation-area restrictions.
Can you drill or shape boards? Yes — tell us about fixings and shapes when you order.
Order Now
Message us on WhatsApp: +44 7950 243399 or email hello@fabricforge.co.uk with your size, material and design for a quote. Need matching bollard covers or outdoor flags? See our full signage range.