The foam board guide

What foam board is

A lightweight, rigid sheet made of a polystyrene foam core sandwiched between two smooth faces, usually paper. It is stiff for its weight, cuts cleanly with a sharp blade, and takes print, photos and paint well, which is why it is the standard choice for mounting, presentation, models and display.

The main types

Standard (paper-faced) foam board

White faces, polystyrene core. The everyday board for indoor mounting, framing backing and presentation.

Self-adhesive foam board

One face has a peel-and-stick layer, so a print mounts flat without spray glue or a heat press.

Black foam board

Black faces and core, so cut edges do not show a white line. Preferred for photography and upmarket display.

Dry-mount foam board

A heat-activated adhesive board for mounting in a press, giving a permanent, perfectly flat bond.

Acid-free / conservation board

pH-neutral and buffered, so it will not yellow or harm artwork over time. For archival framing. Available on request.

Foamex / rigid PVC

A different, solid PVC material for weatherproof indoor and outdoor signage, rather than paper-faced foam board. On request.

Thicknesses

3mm is light and neat for mounting and craft; 5mm is the all-round default and the most common; 10mm is stiff and stands proud for larger boards and freestanding display.

Sizes

The standard sheet is 1015 by 762mm. Boards can be cut to A-sizes (A1, A2, A3 and so on) or to any custom dimension on request. Estate-agent boards have a standard 600 by 800mm size.

Cutting it

A sharp craft knife or scalpel and a steel rule on a cutting mat is enough for paper-faced board; a bevel cutter gives a clean angled mount edge. Score and repeat rather than forcing a single deep cut.