Posted on 25, May, 2023
Last Modified on 25, August, 2023
Signboards have long been a staple in the advertising world, serving as visual champions for businesses to capture audiences' attention. They not only grab attention, but convey essential messages, and have the power to influence audience behavior and mood. In today’s fast-paced world, where attention spans are shrinking, designing a unique signboard is essential for you to stand out from the visual noise.
Behind every eye-catching signboard is an element that significantly impacts its design: the choice of materials. There are many different materials that can be used to create signboards and the type you choose should ultimately depend on the desired functionality of your signs. In this guide, we will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the different signboard substrates and empower you to make knowledgeable decisions that enhance your brand’s message.
Coroplast®
Coroplast® is a common material used for signage. It offers a versatile, cost-effective, and durable solution for outdoor needs. Coroplast®, made of corrugated plastic, is stain-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean. This makes it capable of handling rain, wind and sunlight without deteriorating with proper care. It is ideal for outdoor applications such as real estate, election campaigns, sales advertisements, and golf events.
While, depending on environmental factors, the product can last up to one to two years outside, it will, at some point, fade in the sunlight. As such, you should use it for short-term campaigns like sales and pop-up markets. Coroplast® can also be used to create great handheld signs like arrow spinners and signs for your trade show needs. Its lightweight construction allows for multiple print processes and provides easy customization for vibrant graphics and clear visibility, even from a distance.
Foam Core Board
Most of us have used foam core boards for school projects, at work, or decorating the home for the holidays. Its smooth surface provides a great base for graphics and your marketing messages. Foam core boards are made from two layered sheets of matte paper over a polystyrene core for a sturdy, yet lightweight substrate that’s commonly used for indoor signage.
Foam core boards have numerous benefits, making them one of the most flexible substrates for displays and signboards. Some of them include:
- Low cost: Compared to other substrates, foam core boards are the least expensive and are ideal for businesses looking to run short-term campaigns on a budget.
- Easy Print and Cut: With foam core boards, you can print images and designs directly on them, and they can be easily cut to meet the ideal sign specifications.
- Lightweight: Although they are a bit thicker than other substrates, foam core boards are incredibly light. This makes them easy to transport, set up, and store.
- Heavy duty: Fore core boards are quite sturdy. They can independently lie flat, stay upright, and hang straight.
conVerd Board®
The brand name substrate conVerd Board®, also known as honeycomb board, is a bright white, environmentally friendly rigid signboard substrate made entirely from paper. It is 100% recyclable unlike other signboard substrates available on the market. Its unique construction, which contains 10% consumer waste, offers maximum sustainability without sacrificing design quality. It provides a broad, stable and sturdy platform for indoor and temporary outside signages.
The conVerd Board® is designed to allow easy trimming, printing and design. For businesses, this substrate is ideal for window signage, event signs, informational signage and custom packaging.
Styrene
Styrene signboards, also known as poster signboards, are manufactured from plastic that makes them highly weather resistant and scratch resistant. Styrene signs come in conventional signage shapes like squares and rectangles, but can be cut to fit your ideal signboard design.
It is flexible enough to be rolled making it easier to transport and set up from one place to another. This makes it ideal for traveling businesses to attend different events and trade shows. Styrene signboards will provide a lasting impact for your prints, images, and designs.
With styrene signboards, you can mount or frame them and even style them into three dimensions for maximum exposure. If your business prefers traditional signage designs, you can customize them into menu designs, displays or sales signage.
Xanita
Xanita board is a sustainable constructed fiberboard made from recycled cardboard. It is complemented with different surface textures, including print-ready paper liners, MDF and birch plywood. Xanita board is extremely lightweight and features a closed-cell structure, making it more sturdy than other honeycomb signboard products.
Its dense core and strong architecture make it highly versatile and ideal for trade shows, POS signages, pop-up markets, exhibits and 3D displays. Xanita signboards perfectly balance quality and environmental sustainability, ensuring businesses have an eco-friendly solution for different signboard projects and campaigns.
DiBond®
DiBond® signboard substrate is made with a robust polyethene core layered between thin gauge aluminum sheets on both sides. It offers a great combination of durability, strength, and aesthetics. The aluminum surface provides a professional appearance, while its core adds structural integrity. You can choose between a matte or glossy aluminum finish for your eye-catching signage solution.
Its velvety aspect gives it a more contemporary and premium quality feel that is ideal for a wide range of environments. DiBond® is highly weather-resistant and can handle harsh outdoor conditions. It shines through in various settings for outdoor events, architectural signage, and large format displays.
Falconboard®
Falconboard® signboards are made from 100% recycled and reusable cardboard. Its honeycomb interior is made from recycled paper and wood fibers. This eco-friendly option features natural kraft cores with clay-coated or natural board facings. The kraft honeycomb cores are layered in between white cardstock paper surfaces to add strong structural integrity. They are incredibly durable and ideal for indoor signage, making them ideal for point of purchase signage, exhibits, trade shows, presentations, mounted graphic displays and promotional displays. Falconboard® signboards are Forest Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Certified, meaning they come from natural and post-consumer recycled fiber waste, providing a sustainable solution for your signage needs.
Signing Off: Shop for Custom Printed Signboards
There you have it! Now you have a better understanding of the type of signboard substrates that are ideal for business. When choosing one, consider what you will use them for, the environment they will be exposed to, and how long they will be used.
At Displays2go, we are ready to help design and customize your signboards. Regardless of your chosen substrate, we will customize it to fit your business and stand out above the rest. Visit our website to shop custom printed signboards or contact us today to get started with your next project!