Foamex, Correx & Rigid Board Signage: Which Material for Which Job

Rigid signs come down to four materials: Correx (cheap corrugated plastic for temporary outdoor use), Foamex (smooth PVC board, the all-round shop and event standard), Dibond (aluminium composite for permanent premium signage) and acrylic (the glass-look reception sign). Price and lifespan rise in that order.

The four materials compared

Material	What it is	Lifespan outdoors	Typical use
Correx	fluted corrugated plastic	months	estate-agent boards, site notices, event way-finding
Foamex (3–5mm)	smooth rigid PVC foam	1–3 years	shop signs, exhibition panels, wall displays
Dibond/ACM	aluminium-skinned composite	5–10 years	fascia signs, permanent outdoor signage
Acrylic	clear/coloured perspex	long (indoor)	reception logos, premium interior signs

Foamex thickness: 3mm, 5mm or 10mm?

3mm suits wall-mounted interior panels; 5mm is the outdoor and freestanding default (resists bowing); 10mm reads as a premium display piece. Larger panels need thicker board or fixings at closer centres to stay flat.

Rigid sign vs banner: which do I need?

Rigid boards look permanent and stay flat; PVC banners are lighter, cheaper per square metre, roll up for transport, and tolerate wind on fences. Rule: fixed location + professional look → board; temporary, large or fence-mounted → banner. Events often need both — a Foamex panel at the stand, a banner on the perimeter.

Fixing options

Drilled holes with screws/standoffs (Foamex, Dibond, acrylic), double-sided VHB tape on smooth walls (small panels), cable ties through drilled corners (Correx on fencing). Say where the sign is going when ordering and holes can be drilled to suit.

Artwork for rigid signage

Full size (or half size at 300dpi), CMYK, fonts outlined, 3mm bleed — the file setup rules apply, and the banner design principles about viewing distance apply doubly: one message, huge type, readable at the distance it will actually be seen from.

FAQs

What's the cheapest outdoor sign? Correx — which is why estate agents use it. Expect months of life, not years.

Is Foamex waterproof? Yes — PVC board with UV-stable print handles outdoor use for 1–3 years; Dibond is the step up for permanent installations.

Can rigid boards be double-sided? Yes — Correx and Foamex print double-sided routinely for hanging and projecting signs.

Do you make signs in Ipswich? Yes — Correx, Foamex, Dibond and acrylic cut to size, quoted by material and dimensions: minutemanpressipswich.co.uk, 01473 933888, Tacket Street (IP4 1AU).