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 (Forest Stewardship Council)
• 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 (Forest Stewardship Council)
• 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
• FSC certified (Forest Stewardship Council)
• 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

Smartpress’ Materials, Signs and Substrates Key Takeaways