Banner Materials & Sign Substrates
Smartpress’ online printing services offer superior banner materials and sign substrates. Before you place your order for custom banners, signs and more, check out our high-quality materials (including eco-friendly green alternatives) to find the one that best suits your online printing project.
Banner Materials & Sign Substrates
Aluminum Composite – White
- Lightweight and rigid composite panel
- White aluminum face and back
- Black plastic core with UV blocker increases UV-resistance
- Perfect flatness, even with thin sheets
- Durable and weather-resistance material
- 100% recyclable and environmentally-friendly
- Aluminum alloy offers increased corrosion resistance
- Polyester lacquer guarantees ideal printing properties
- Highly recommended for indoor, outdoor, long-term or permanent use
- Excellent exterior stability within a range of temperatures from – 58 to +175°F and minor thermal expansion
FSC Cardstock
- 1- or 2-sided coated material
- FSC certified
- Can be printed double-sided
- Can be cut to any shape
- One of the standard sign substrates for printing indoor signage, stanchion signs, various signs that fit into sign holders, window signs with suction cups and more
Chromaluxe
- .045” polymer-coated aluminum
- White or brushed metal
- Matte or gloss finish
- Dye sublimation printing ensures photographic quality with outstanding clarity and resolution
- Fade-, flame- and scratch-resistant
- Lightweight and durable
- For indoor use only
- Common uses: metal prints, wall decor for home, business or professional settings
Clear Acrylic
- Digitally-treated clear extruded acrylic material offers optimal clarity
- Glass-like aesthetic and rigid
- More scratch-resistant than PETG
- Weather-resistant
- For indoor or outdoor use
- Common uses: Business/retail signage, fixtures and POP displays
Corrugated Plastic
- 4mm fluted polypropylene material
- Opaque white
- Great for outdoor signs
- High-quality twin-wall profile sheet
- One of the standard sign substrates for both political campaign yard signs and other lawn signs
Expanded PVC Board
- Lightweight and durable
- Great for both single and double-sided print
- Used extensively for fabricated fixtures
- Can be thermoformed
- Can be heat bent, routed laminated and pressure- or vacuum-formed in a variety of shapes
- Excellent for a variety of POP displays and signs
- Allows for easy configuration of challenging displays, shapes or promotional material
Falconboard
- Rigid substrate
- Recycled-paper honeycomb core
- Strong yet lightweight and portable
- Great for both single and double-sided printing
- Can be can be direct-printed, upholstered, laminated, veneered, pressed with decorative foils or painted
- Can be mitre-cut, folded or curved, shape-cut, photo-mounted and fastened with adhesives
Foamcore
- Polystyrene foam board encased in coated cardstock
- Similar to the material found in most art supply stores, usually called something like foam board
- Perfect for Zund cutting and die cutting
- Pillowing foamcore provides a compressed edge that stays closed when die cut or scored on the Zund cutter
- Applications and lifespans:
- POP Displays – Short-term
- Exhibits, kiosks – Short-term
- Framing – Long-term
- Framing (archival) – Not recommended
- Signage (interior) – Short-term
- Signage (exterior) – Not recommended
- Signage (structural) – Not recommended
Foamless Foamcore
- Sustainable alternative for Foam Board Signs
- 100% recyclable
- 100% compostable
- Thickness: 3.8mm
- FSC certified
- Multi-layer paperboard with a smooth surface
- Embossed paper core ensures a high level of rigidity and flatness
- Indoor use only
Heavy Knit
- One of our most used fabrics
- Highest opacity knit in the industry with light four-way stretch
- Rich appearance and opacity
- Uses 90% less water than competitors
- Produces no wastewater
- Introduces zero microplastics
- Uses less energy than competitors
- Produced in U.S. – no CO2 emitted from overseas shipping
- Energy used from clean gas, not coal plants
- Easy to install
- One of the best banner materials for SEG displays, backdrops and banners (dye sublimation, transfer, UV and latex)
Honeycomb Cardboard
- Formerly known as corrugated cardboard
- Designed with three layers: a white cardstock front, a white cardstock back and a Kraft honeycomb core in the middle
- A biodegradable alternative to foam board
- Rigid, durable and extremely lightweight
- Affordable and easily portable
- Can be printed on one or two sides
- Great for retail marketing, POP displays, presentations, trade shows and exhibits
FSC Honeycomb Board
- Sustainable alternative for PVC Foam Signs
- Also available for eco-friendly Honeycomb Cardboard Signs
- FSC certified
- Made from 100% paper-fiber board
- Dense core is uniquely tilted for superior strength
- Constructed with water-based glues
- 100% recyclable
- Strong yet lightweight
- Thick and rigid
- Thicknesses: 10mm (most common) and 16mm
- For indoor use only
Non-PVC Polyethylene
- Sustainable alternative for Hanging Banners and Step and Repeat Banners
- 100% recyclable
- Durable, multi-layer construction
- Heat-sealable and lightweight
- Provides exceptional color reproduction
- Thickness: 13 mil
- For indoor or outdoor use
Paper-Based Backlit Film
- Sustainable alternative for Backlit Signs
- 100% recyclable
- 10% post-consumer waste
- Thickness: 8 pt.
- FSC certified
- Bright white coated substrate
- Designed to provide uniform translucency and image definition
- Resistant to moisture, warping and wrinkling due to climatic changes that often affect other substrates
- Indoor use only
Paper-Based Floor Graphic (FSC)
- Sustainable alternative for Floor Graphics
- Environmentally-responsible, pressure-sensitive floor graphic material
- Plant-based without lamination
- Easy to install and remove without air bubbles
- Adheres to carpet and smooth/sealed floors
Paper-Based Styrene Alternative
- Sustainable alternative for Styrene Signs
- .030″ or .040″ thick
- 100% paper-based
- 100% recyclable
- PVC-free
- FSC certified
- Smooth, coated substrate that’s static-free for smoother, faster printing
- Up to 20% lighter than styrene (more savings on shipping)
- 94% brightness for clearer, longer-lasting imagery that won’t yellow over time
- Ink absorption allows for exemplary printing without banding (lines or streaks)
- Resistant to fingerprints (paper-based composition does not capture oils)
- Indoor use only
PETG
- Transparent and frosted, thermoplastic sheet
- Offers superior impact strength over acrylic and cost-effectiveness compared to polycarbonate
- Offers deep draws, complex die-cuts and precise molded-in details without sacrificing structural integrity
- Easily die-cut, punched, painted, silk-screened, UV-printed and hot-stamped
- Can be bonded or fastened with adhesives, ultrasonic welding or rivets
- Easy to fabricate, form, bond and decorate
- Perfect for a variety of POP displays and other applications
100% Recycled PETG
- Sustainable alternative for Clear Signs
- Made with up to 100% recycled content
- Contains a minimum of 50% scrap content
- Ideal for applications needing improved rigidity
- Easy to print, form and fabricate
Recycled PETG
- Sustainable alternative for Styrene Signs
- Made with up to 100% recycled content
- Minimizes virgin pellet consumption
- Provides excellent ink receptivity
- Thicknesses: 0.020”, 0.030” (most common), 0.050”
- For indoor or outdoor use
Polystyrene Foam
- Formerly known as Ultraboard or Gatorplast
- Features a plastic, styrene surface rather than paper or wood fiber veneer
- Lays flat and rigid with styrene liners bonded to the foam center
- Moisture-resistant and durability
- Smooth surface allows ink to stand out vividly
- Primarily for indoor use
- Great for permanent displays and signs
- Applications and lifespans:
- POP Displays – Medium-term
- Framing – Long-term
- Framing (archival) – Not recommended
- Exhibits, kiosks – Medium-term
- Signage (interior) – Medium-term
- Signage (exterior) – Short-term
- Signage (structural) – Not recommended
Post-Consumer Waste Cardstock
- Sustainable option for Cardstock Signs
- 100% recyclable
- 100% post-consumer waste
- Thickness: 24 pt.
- Coated recycled paperboard
- Double clay-coated surface provides a clean palette for graphics
- Indoor use only
Recycled Satin Canvas
- Available for Canvas Prints
- Base fabric is 100% polyester resin made from discarded plastic bottles (coating not made with recycled materials)
- Slightly textured canvas with sophisticated satin finish
- Specialized coating ensures vibrant print
- Strong yet flexible
- Resistant to edge-cracking when stretched
- Waterproof
- Thickness: 11 oz.
- For indoor use only
Rigid Paper Board
- Sustainable alternative for PVC Foam Signs
- FSC certified
- Made of 100% virgin wood fibers
- Triple-coated surface results in a bright, smooth finish ideal for printing
- Solid white core
- Thicknesses: 2mm, 3mm (most common)
- For indoor use only
Samba
- UV-printed backlit fabric
- 100% polyester
- Resistant to creasing and fraying
- Good flatness
- Very popular for banners, lightbox displays, table throws and bean bags
Smooth Paper-Based Wall Decal (FSC)
- Sustainable alternative for Wall Decals
- Paper-based
- Removable gloss paper
- Cannot be laminated
Soft Flag
- Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use
- Feather flags are printed via dye sublimation onto premium high performance 4 oz. flag material for lasting durability
Soft Knit
- Available for SEG Wall Graphics, Tension Fabric Displays, Table Throws
- Produced using cleaner energy and 90% less water than competitors
- Produced with zero wastewater and introduced zero microplastics into water
- Printed via dye sublimation for stunningly high-quality print
- Durable and machine-washable
- Thickness: 4.5 oz.
- For indoor use only
Starlight
- Backlit dye sublimation fabric
- 100% polyester
- Resistant to creasing and fraying
- Very soft with stretch
- One of the most common banner materials and great for lightbox displays
Styrene
- Lays flat
- Perfect for printing applications
- Can be printed double-sided
- Excellent for short-term indoor use
- Easily coated, metaled, die cut and heat-bent
- Features both a higher heat distortion and excellent low temperature characteristics
- Very economical in the plastic community
- Great for: POP displays, shelf strips and talkers, signs
Textured Paper-Based Wall Decal (FSC)
- Sustainable alternative for Wall Decals
- Paper-based with a bright white surface
- Tear-resistant and reinforced with synthetic fibers for strength and durability
- Removable with a release liner for easy peel-and-stick application
- Slight weave texture and matte finish adds visual interest and helps cover surface imperfections
Learn more about our sustainable materials: Sustainable Signage: 8 Substrates for Planet-Friendly Printing
Have a calendar or direct mail project in mind? As an eco-friendly online printer, we offer a range of high-quality small format paper stocks, too.
If you have questions about sign substrates, banner materials or any other printing services, please contact customer service.