Printing on rigid materials

Rigid substrate printing

Artyplan provides large-format printing on rigid materials for signage, displays, POS materials, decoration and events from its production facilities in Barcelona and Madrid. The choice of material mainly depends on the installation location and the duration of the project: for temporary campaigns and indoor spaces, we recommend Forex or foam board; for long-lasting outdoor signage, Dibond; and for premium or backlit finishes, acrylic.

We also work with polypropylene, honeycomb board, DISPA, corrugated cardboard, wood and other materials, with printing, custom cutting and milling. The standard production and shipping lead time is 5 to 7 business days, and we deliver projects throughout Spain.

Which rigid substrate to choose for each project

The right substrate depends on the duration of the project, the installation location, the weight and the finish you require. This guide summarises the most commonly used materials; further down, you can review the characteristics and applications of each substrate.

Material When to choose it Main characteristics
Forex Indoor and outdoor signage for campaigns. Lightweight, cost-effective and easy to cut.
Dibond Corporate signage and long-term outdoor applications. Rigid, stable and resistant to warping.
Acrylic Backlit applications and projects requiring a premium finish. Transparency, gloss and image depth.
Foam board Presentations, exhibitions and short-term indoor campaigns. Very lightweight and cost-effective.
Honeycomb board POS displays, exhibition stands and indoor elements designed to reduce plastic use. Lightweight, durable and recyclable.
Polypropylene Reusable elements and applications exposed to moisture. Flexible, washable and durable.
  • Forex (PVC foam board)

The possibility of printing directly onto Forex is due to the use of modern and technologically advanced printers. These printers provide exceptional image resolution, ensuring that prints maintain their quality and durability even when exposed to outdoor conditions for extended periods.

Common thicknesses: 3 mm | 5 mm | 10 mm | 19 mm

Printing on Forex is characterised by its light weight, which facilitates handling, mounting and on-site installation, as well as its notable resistance to water, fire and impact, making it durable across various applications. In addition, its insulating properties make it versatile and practical in different environments.

PVC APPLICATIONS

These qualities make it a preferred material for space decoration, signage, printed posters, the creation of temporary spaces, and signage in shops, restaurants, offices and trade shows. It is ideal for producing 3D letters, scenography and exhibition stands thanks to its ease of processing. It is also excellent for large-format photographic printing, delivering high-quality rigid PVC prints. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of projects and applications.

  • Fluted polypropylene

Printing on polypropylene stands out for its ease of use, opacity, flexibility, waterproof properties and durability. It is printed with a matte finish and UV protection and is PVC-free, making it a fully reusable and environmentally responsible substrate.

Ideal for advertising posters and large-format signage. Polypropylene signs are perfect for outdoor use due to their resistance to weather conditions and light weight, which facilitates transport and installation on façades or balconies. They are also widely used in the hospitality sector: fluted polypropylene coasters, restaurant menus and menu holders with QR codes.

Common thickness: 5 mm

Direct printing on polypropylene ensures durability of more than 3 years (both indoors and outdoors), and the surface finish allows for easy cleaning.

  • Pegasus Lightforce

This material is similar to foam board but offers greater strength and rigidity while remaining lightweight. It consists of a central core of high-density extruded polystyrene foam, carefully covered on both sides with high-quality PVC and protected by a film layer on each side.

Its unique composition provides exceptional resistance to impacts while maintaining remarkable lightness and rigidity. Ideal for floor insulation, cold rooms and façade panels, offering outstanding performance in both thermal and acoustic insulation.

In essence, it is a superior alternative to foam board for applications requiring these enhanced properties. It is also suitable for high-quality photographic printing and is ideal for exhibitions, events, point-of-sale environments, photocalls, galas and commercial spaces.

Common thicknesses: 5 mm | 10 mm

  • Foam board

A lightweight material suitable for photo printing, interior decoration and corporate signage with excellent quality. Formed by an expanded core between two flat cardboard panels, it offers ideal lightness for a wide range of applications, including trade show stands and advertising.

Common thicknesses: 5 mm | 10 mm

Its high-quality white coated paper surface, combined with direct UV ink printing, prevents ink absorption into the paper, resulting in more vibrant colours, higher saturation and enhanced image depth.

Intended exclusively for indoor use with indefinite durability. Although mainly used for photo mounting, it is also suitable for photography, decoration, advertising and signage, from photocalls to directional signage.

  • Acrylic (PMMA)

A modern, high-quality substitute for glass. It stands out for its excellent light transmission and superior resistance to weathering and UV radiation. Lightweight and impact-resistant.

Printed in full colour, with the option of white ink, using UV inks that cure under ultraviolet light to produce vivid, intense colours. Acrylic is suitable for both indoor applications (decoration, signage and exhibitions) with indefinite durability, and outdoor use for up to 3 years.

Common thicknesses: 3 mm | 4 mm | 10 mm

  • Dibond aluminium

Aluminium is a preferred substrate for photographic printing due to its quality and superior finish. Direct printing on aluminium achieves vivid colours and high resolution, giving photographs a creative and contemporary appearance. This technique is ideal for enhancing any space with impactful, high-quality images.

Available in white and grey.

  • Folding boxboard

Solid board is an ideal option for printing thanks to its smooth surface and bright white finish. This recyclable, lightweight and resistant material is available in 350 g and is suitable for full-colour printing on one or both sides using UV inks.

This ensures intense, vibrant colours, making it ideal for indoor use, especially in packaging, display units, POS materials (POSM) and various printed posters.

  • Microflute cardboard

Printing on microflute cardboard is a sustainable and high-quality solution for print projects. This material, composed of layers of corrugated paper, provides an excellent base for professional photographic, corporate and advertising printing.

This material stands out for being lightweight, resistant and environmentally responsible in appearance, suitable for a variety of applications such as indoor advertising posters, packaging, stands and display supports.

  • Corrugated cardboard

Also known as corrugated board, it is characterised by a fluted paper core forming channels of different heights and covered by several layers of paper. This material is preferred for its sustainability and recyclability.

It is used for printing cardboard boxes intended for shipping or large-format products.

These options are designed for different uses such as eCommerce, events, direct marketing and primary product packaging, allowing the interior design of the boxes to be customised to enhance the customer experience.

This material stands out for being lightweight, resistant and environmentally responsible in appearance, suitable for a variety of applications such as indoor advertising posters, packaging, stands and display supports.

  • Honeycomb cardboard panel

Honeycomb board is made from 100% recyclable cardboard and is an excellent eco-friendly alternative to traditional PVC panels. It has two outer faces of white coated paper and a 12 mm honeycomb core, which provides excellent strength and dimensional stability while also acting as thermal and acoustic insulation. It is a lightweight, recyclable option for displays, exhibition stands and point-of-sale display materials.

This material is printed in full colour on one side using UV inks, which are cured with ultraviolet light to produce vivid, intense colours. It is intended exclusively for indoor use, including displays at retail locations, exhibition stands and trade-show counters. It is also suitable for temporary decorative elements, printed furniture, hanging signs, totems and signage.

  • DISPA

Also known as eco foam board, it is made from 100% FSC-certified paper, making it fully recyclable and reinforcing its environmental credentials. Its versatility makes it ideal for indoor promotional campaigns, posters and hanging signage at trade shows, events or shopping centres, ceiling-mounted installations and background applications in shop windows.

Its embossed paper core provides flexural strength and structural stability, ideal for applications requiring lightness and firmness. Its rigidity is comparable to corrugated cardboard, both longitudinally and transversally, offering versatility and resistance.

  • Smart X Eco

This material consists of a solid polystyrene surface, resistant to weather conditions, UV rays and especially moisture. It can be used outdoors for up to 2 years.

Despite its light weight, it offers high resistance, facilitating transport, handling and on-site installation.

Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, this material withstands climatic conditions and can be used in a wide range of environments. Ideal for signage and advertising in retail environments or shopping centres, display units and decorative elements at events and trade shows.

  • Glasspack or rigid PVC

Glasspack, also known as rigid PVC, is a versatile and durable material used in various direct digital printing applications. This flexible plastic, which can be easily rolled, is highly resistant to weather conditions, including rain and heat, making it suitable for both outdoor advertising and indoor applications.

It is used for interior decoration, signage, point-of-sale posters, product labels and in-store display units. Widely used in the real estate sector for sale or rental signs, as well as on construction sites and for safety signage. Available in a variety of colours, Glasspack is also used to manufacture desk calendars and business cards.

  • Coated card

Coated card is widely used in printing for the production of advertising posters, especially for events, trade shows and exhibitions. The different weights allow it to adapt to the specific needs of each project, whether for lighter promotional posters or for more resistant and durable materials.

In addition, its durability ensures that posters can withstand the passage of time, which is essential for long-term events and exhibitions.

Sectors

Frequently asked questions about printing on rigid materials

Forex or Dibond for an outdoor sign?

For campaigns lasting a few weeks or months, choose Forex: it does the job and costs less. For signage that needs to last for years without warping or losing colour, choose Dibond: its aluminium core keeps it flat and stable outdoors.

Are there sustainable rigid substrates?

Yes: honeycomb board is a single-material substrate that can be recycled with paper, and we use it for POS displays and exhibition stands designed to reduce plastic use. It is printed with water-based latex inks certified by UL ECOLOGO and GREENGUARD Gold.

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