Sign Guides

Which Rigid Sign Material Is Right for You?

We print on six different rigid substrates, and the honest truth is that most projects only need one of them – the trick is knowing which. Here is the field guide.

GetQuickSigns catalog spread with polystyrene, J-Bond, aluminum and PolyAir rigid sign samples in gold and marble mockups

Coroplast – the budget outdoor workhorse

Corrugated plastic is light, waterproof, and cheap enough to buy in stacks. Yard signs, event signs, job-site markers. Not for high-end lobbies – the fluted texture shows.

Foamcore – the indoor presenter

Foamcore is a paper-faced foam sheet with a perfectly smooth surface, ideal for presentations, easels, and photo props. Keep it dry and indoors; humidity warps it.

PVC – the smooth all-rounder

Expanded PVC gives a smooth matte face with real rigidity. Menu boards, office signs, trade-show panels – it handles moisture far better than foamcore and looks more finished than coro.

Polystyrene – thin, glossy, economical

Polystyrene is a thin plastic sheet that undercuts PVC for short-term retail signage while still resisting moisture.

Aluminum – the outdoor lifer

Aluminum composite sandwiches a solid core between metal faces: dead flat, weatherproof for years, and the standard for parking signs, building signs, and anything permanent.

Acrylic – the showpiece

Acrylic prints second-surface behind glass-like clear plastic and mounts on polished standoffs. It is the lobby-logo material.

Quick chooser

Cheapest outdoor: coro. Smoothest indoor: foamcore. Durable indoor/outdoor: PVC. Permanent outdoor: aluminum. Premium lobby: acrylic. Compare all of them with live pricing in the rigid signs category.

Why print it with GetQuickSigns?

typical production of 1–3 business days after artwork approval on most orders, with delivery options confirmed in the cart.
Live pricing in the online builder – size it, option it, and see the cost instantly.
Built-in file checks – DPI and color space are verified before anything prints.
Real materials – the same commercial-grade stock the big sign shops use.