Need display boards that don’t warp, bubble, peel, or look like they were made on Bring-Your-Child-to-Work Day?
You’re in the right place.
We print your artwork **directly onto 5mm and 10mm foam boards and Solidcore panels using UV printing**, which is just a fancy way of saying:
**it looks better, lasts longer, and doesn’t fall apart when someone sneezes on it.**
Most cheap printers?
They print onto **vinyl or sticker material**, then mount it onto a board, cross their fingers, and hope the bubbles behave.
Let’s not.
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## Foam Board 101 (Without the Boring Bits)
Foam board (also known as Foam X, Foamex or PVC foam board) is a **lightweight, rigid sheet** with a smooth, bright white surface. It’s basically the ideal blank canvas for indoor signage.
Why people love foam board:
- **Lightweight** – easy to carry and install
- **Smooth, white surface** – makes colours and text pop
- **Matt finish** – no blinding glare
- **Great for printing** – especially with UV inks
Check out the product here https://www.rapidprintpro.com/p/22
We offer:
- **5mm foam board** – your everyday signage hero
- **10mm foam board** – the thicker, more premium-looking sibling
- **Solidcore** – the tough, “I go to the gym” version for extra rigidity
Now let’s talk about **how** we print on them, because that’s where the fun starts.
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## Direct-to-Board UV Printing vs Vinyl-Mounted Boards
Most printers do this:
1. Print your design onto a **sticker or vinyl**
2. Laminate it (if you’re lucky)
3. Squeegee it onto a board
4. Hope the bubbles stay away and the edges don’t peel next week
We do this instead:
1. Put the **actual foam board or Solidcore panel** on the press
2. Print **directly onto the surface** with UV-curable inks
3. Cure it instantly with UV lamps so it’s dry, tough and ready to go
Check out the product here https://www.rapidprintpro.com/p/22
### Why direct-to-board UV printing is better (by miles)
- **No bubbles or air pockets**
No more “bubble wrap chic”. The print is **part of the board**, not stuck on top of it.
- **No peeling edges**
Vinyl loves to curl, peel and catch on corners. UV direct print?
It stays put. No flappy corners, no sad-looking signs.
- **Water-resistant & weather-tolerant**
UV inks form a tough, cured layer. That means your boards are:
- Wipeable
- Splash-resistant
- Suitable for short-term and sheltered outdoor use
Perfect for areas where vinyl would start sulking.
- **Cleaner, sharper finish**
No extra layer of plastic on top, no silvering, no weird texture.
Just crisp print, straight onto a smooth board.
- **Looks more premium**
Direct print simply looks like it was meant to be there, not like someone slapped a giant sticker on it in a hurry.
In summary: **vinyl-mounted boards are the fast fashion of signage**.
Direct-to-board UV print is the good-quality staple that still looks decent after real life happens.
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## 5mm Foam Board: Your Everyday Display Workhorse
**5mm foam board** is your go-to for most indoor signage. Think of it as the dependable friend who turns up on time and doesn’t cause drama.
### Best for:
- Retail signs and point-of-sale displays
- Event and exhibition signage on shell schemes
- Directional signs at venues
- Menu boards and price lists
- Office info boards and branding
### Why 5mm works so well
- **Light but rigid** – easy to fix with tape or Velcro, but doesn’t feel flimsy
- **Cost-effective** – ideal when you need multiple boards across a store or event
- **Beautiful direct print** – our UV process keeps everything sharp, colourful and bubble-free
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## 10mm Foam Board: Chunky, Confident, and Fancy
**10mm foam board** is for when you want your signage to have a bit more presence.
It’s thicker, sturdier and gives off big “I mean business” energy.
### Best for:
- Larger panels and backdrops
- Hanging signs where you don’t want any sagging
- Freestanding display boards
- Reusable event kit and roadshow graphics
### Why 10mm is worth the upgrade
- **Extra rigidity** – less flex on bigger panels
- **Premium look** – that thicker edge just hits different
- **Great with direct UV print** – large, bold designs look seriously good mounted up
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## Solidcore Display Boards: When You Need the Heavy-Duty Option
Solidcore is the **more robust, extra-rigid** board option for when foam just isn’t enough.
Think:
- Denser core
- Stronger edges
- Less flex
- More “this is here to stay” energy
### Best for:
- Long-term installations
- Busy public spaces and retail environments
- Boards fixed with stand-offs or hanging systems
- Signage that gets knocked, bumped and generally abused
With our **direct-to-board UV printing**, Solidcore gives you a premium, tough-as-nails display that doesn’t freak out at the first sign of real life.
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## Foam Board vs Solidcore (and Why Vampires Hate Vinyl)
Quick recap if you’re skimming this while pretending to work:
| Job Type | Best Choice | Why? |
|------------------------------------- |----------------------------------- |----------------------------------------------------|
| Short-term indoor signage | **5mm foam board** | Lightweight, affordable, easy to install |
| Bigger panels and backdrops | **10mm foam board** | Extra rigidity and a more premium edge |
| Long-term or high-traffic areas | **Solidcore** | Tough, durable and seriously sturdy |
| Hanging signs over counters | **10mm foam board** | Less flex, holds its shape without drooping |
| Reusable event / exhibition kits | **10mm foam board or Solidcore** | Better for repeated handling and transport |
| Signage where bubbles would be obvious | **Any of ours (direct print)** | No vinyl = no bubbles, no peeling, no drama |
And remember: **vinyl-mounted boards** are the ones that bubble, peel and cry in the rain.
Our **direct UV-printed boards** do not.
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## Real-World Uses (AKA: Steal These Ideas)
### Retail & Shops
- Sale boards and promo signage
- Category headers and aisle markers
- Hanging signs above counters or product bays
### Events & Exhibitions
- Shell scheme wall panels
- Branded backdrops and stage boards
- Wayfinding and info points
### Hospitality
- Menu boards and specials signage
- Branded photo walls and backdrops
- Directional signs for venues
### Offices & Workspaces
- Reception branding
- Values boards, timelines and displays
- Meeting room signs and info boards
### Education & Public Spaces
- Noticeboards and information displays
- Maps, wayfinding and safety boards
- Campaign or event signage
If it needs to be **flat, visible and not embarrassing**, foam or Solidcore with direct UV print is your friend.
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## Why Order Your Foam & Solidcore Boards From Us?
Apart from the obvious “you like working with people who know which end of a printer is which”:
- ✅ **Direct-to-board UV printing** – no vinyl, no bubbles, no peeling edges
- ✅ **5mm & 10mm foam boards plus Solidcore** – the right rigidity for every job
- ✅ **High-resolution print** – text stays sharp, photos stay crisp
- ✅ **Cut to size** – from neat A4 signs to big, shouty panels
- ✅ **Optional drill holes** – ready to screw, hang or cable up
- ✅ **Fast turnaround & next-day delivery options** – perfect for last-minute panics
You send the artwork. We handle the nerdy print stuff.
Then your boards arrive looking annoyingly good.
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## How to Choose in Under 30 Seconds
Still hovering between options? Here’s the shortcut:
- **Everyday indoor signs on a budget?**
→ **5mm foam board + direct UV print**
- **Bigger, more visible boards or hanging signs?**
→ **10mm foam board + direct UV print**
- **Long-term install or high-traffic area?**
→ **Solidcore + direct UV print**
Whatever you choose, you’re already ahead of the game by **not** going for “vinyl-stuck-on-with-hope-and-a-squeegee”.
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## FAQs (Because Everyone Asks)
### Are these boards waterproof?
Our **direct-to-board UV print** is **water-resistant and wipeable**, and fine for indoor use and short-term or sheltered outdoor use.
If you need full long-term outdoor signage, we’ll point you at more specialist exterior panels – but foam and Solidcore handle splashes and everyday abuse far better than vinyl-mounted boards.
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### Do your boards get bubbles?
Nope.
We **don’t print onto vinyl and stick it on**. We print **directly onto the board**, so there are **no bubbles, no silvering and no peeling corners**.
Check out the product here https://www.rapidprintpro.com/p/22
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### Will 5mm foam board sag?
On small to medium sizes, 5mm is absolutely fine. On larger boards (especially if only fixed at a couple of points), go for **10mm foam** or **Solidcore** for extra rigidity.
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### Can you drill holes in the boards?
Yes. We can **pre-drill holes** so your boards arrive ready to fix with screws, hooks, stand-offs or cable systems. If you’re drilling yourself, use a sharp bit and don’t go full Hulk on the pressure.
Check out the product here https://www.rapidprintpro.com/p/22
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### Do you cut to custom sizes?
Absolutely. We can cut foam board and Solidcore panels to **almost any custom size** – from standard A-sizes to long strips, tall panels and oddly specific shapes.
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Ready to upgrade from vinyl-and-bubble misery?
Pick your material (5mm foam, 10mm foam or Solidcore), choose your sizes and quantities, upload your artwork – and we’ll print your boards **direct-to-board with UV**, so they look sharp, stay flat and don’t slowly fall apart on the wall.