By Melissa Donovan
The category of rigid substrates breaks down into a number of materials including aluminum composite, aluminum, foamboard, paper-based, and plastic. The February issue of Digital Output includes a chart listing vendors offering rigid substrates for digital printing. Here some of the vendors share more about their top products.
3A Composites USA
3A Composites USA has a broad portfolio of rigid substrates for the signage and display markets, all of which are excellently suited for digital print applications. FOME-COR foam boards and DISPA, POLAR, and SWEDBOARD paper boards feature bright white, coated paper facers that accept inks very well and create clear, high-quality graphics. SMART-X and GP APEX foam boards deliver flat, consistent polystyrene facers that produce vibrant, eye-catching results, while the SINTRA PVC boards are an excellent choice when additional durability is needed. LUMEX G clear PETG allows for reverse printing, providing a unique way to add depth and dimension to the image. The DIBOND collection of aluminum composite panels offer a premium metal surface for high-end applications and provides incredible flatness and consistency, its superior surface helping to protect expensive digital and screenprinted graphics. Whether printing for short term, seasonal applications or ones that will be up for years, 3A Composites has a rigid substrate to meet your digital printing needs.
BMG Rigid Board
BMG, a subsidiary of S-One Holdings Corporation, specializes in research, development, marketing, and supply chain management, bringing unequaled speed to market and innovative technologies to the marketplace. As a global brand licensing company, BMG works in close partnership with the brands it represents while providing its worldwide network of resellers with unparalleled logistics, marketing, and product support.
BMG’s expert team of product developers continuously brings new and innovative products to market to meet industry demand and opportunity. New rigid products introduced this year include the HP Production Coroplus Board, a corrugated sign solution that prints on demand quantities quickly on high-speed HP PageWide XL Pro printers. The new HP Production Foamplus Board prints directly to the board, saving time and money and increasing productivity. The versatility of these new products makes them a valuable addition to any print shop.
Curbell Plastics
For over 80 years, Curbell Plastics has been supplying durable, rigid, printable substrates to the screen and digital print industries. We offer a wide variety of plastic materials, including acrylic, styrene, foam board, polycarbonate, expanded PVC, and more. We also offer fabrication, machining, and conversion services to save you time and money. From precision cutting to complex assembly, we use our in-house capabilities or partner with fabrication specialists to provide high-quality plastic parts.
Laminators Incorporated
Laminators Incorporated is a full-service manufacturing company offering complete, innovative, turnkey solutions for your sign panel needs. We offer a full line of digital print-ready panels that are the industry standard for professional sign makers.
Our rigid substrates are strong, durable, and ready to use. Panels are available in good, better, and best options to meet project specifications and price points. Available in a variety of colors, our finished surfaces are smooth and will not crack, chip, flake, or peel—even under harsh weather conditions.
Our array of cores as well as the various thicknesses, sheet sizes, and double/single-sided sheets satisfy any sign or fabricated project.
Whether you’re a professional sign maker, distributor, fabricator, or installer, you can count on Laminators Incorporated to deliver the highest quality products and superior customer service in the industry.
Panel Processing, Inc.
Panel Processing, Inc. is a composite wood panel manufacturer who can provide panels for digital printing and fixture needs. Panel provides a specially formulated water-based coating, Eco-Finish, which is environmentally friendly and provides an excellent printing surface for high-quality digital or screen printing. The coating can be applied to a variety of rigid board substrates of various thicknesses and up to five feet wide and eight feet long. It is an excellent choice for large format printing including signage, graphic intense point of purchase (POP) displays, and just about anything else that calls for a high-quality print surface.
POLYVANTIS
POLYVANTIS is the manufacturer of ACRYLITE and LEXAN film and sheet, delivering innovative, high-performance product solutions globally. Our materials are engineered for markets like digital printing, signage, and display graphics, where clarity, durability, and vibrant visuals are essential.
ACRYLITE digital print acrylic offers unmatched clarity for striking signage and POP displays, while LEXAN polycarbonate sheets and films provide impact-resistant solutions ideal for protective overlays and architectural applications.
With a legacy of technical expertise, material innovation, and customer-centric service, POLYVANTIS offers a diverse portfolio backed by the industry’s strongest warranties.
Recrylic
Recrylic is the world’s only line of certified recycled acrylic—ideal for use in displays, signs, lighted fixtures, artwork, architectural, and design features. As a seamless alternative to traditional acrylic, Recrylic helps preserve natural resources and reduce waste.
Recrylic is available both as bulk sheets and with expert fabrication for finished projects. Find out how much CO2 you can save with a free estimate at recrylic.com.
Feb2025, Digital Output
