We Provide the Best Substrates for Your Prints and Graphics With a variety of substrates to choose from, there is no dearth of materials. However, only the best ones will last long and give your pieces the strength and resilience they need. Foam boards, also known as foam core, are a great option because they are light and strong at the same time! Whatever you prefer to use, the bottom line is that the chosen substrate must protect your prints and graphics. We present to you the best options to choose from for the purpose of mounting substrates. Sintra PVC Board A lightweight but rigid mounting board, a Sintra board is made of closed-cell PVC foam board. It is widely available in 1, 2, 3, 6, and 13 mm thickness. Although it comes in multiple colors, graphic producers usually prefer to keep white and black in stock. This mounting board can stand up to heat and moisture, making it a suitable choice for outdoor use Foam boards are known for their strength and durability because of which they are able to provide the needed protection to your projects. The fact that they need less preparation specifically when they are used for mounting purposes for graphics and prints, simply is another feather in their hat that adds to its favorability.
Foam Core Board Foam core board, very well-known as the weightless board, is best used if placed in a protective frame. It is made of polystyrene foam and has a smooth clay-coated surface. It is commonly available for use in 1/8”, 3/16”, 3/8”, and ½” thickness. Although they are typically available in white, these mounting boards also come in variety of colors, known as one-sided colored foam boards. This category of substrates is extensively used by print service providers of large format printing who stock it for in-house work. It consists of resilient extruded polystyrene core sandwiched between two layers of bleached, semi-gloss white clay coated paper. Although this mounting board or substrate is ideal for screen printing, its use also extends but is not limited to die cutting, mounting, framing, prototypes, and backdrops.
Gatorfoam Board A composite sandwich made of extruded polystyrene foam board bonded between two sheets of wood-fiber veneer, this material is great for heavy-duty graphics. It is significantly harder than the regular foam core board and is known for offering great resistance to scratches and dents. Gatorfoam comes in a variety of thicknesses and is typically available in the following colors: white, natural (light brown color), and black. This mounting board or substrate is heavier than foam core, but lighter than the Sintra PVC board. Gatorfoam is very resistant to warping and is often hung directly to the wall with special hangers and a protective lamination. Gatorfoams are typically referred to as the original, heavy-duty graphic arts foam boards because they have an excellent reputation of superior performance. The new, bright white facer is the brightest foam board of its kind, which is great for digital as well as screen printing and vinyl graphics.
These substrates provide strong protection to your pieces against, moisture, warping, and related problems.