Printing Guides

Foam Board Sign Sizes and When to Use Them

Bright Print Works offers three standard sizes online. All can be ordered single-sided or double-sided. Custom sizes are also available up to 36″ × 47″. Contact us for a custom quote.

• 12″ × 18″ — Best for countertop displays, small directional signs, table tents, presentations, and close-range viewing (typically under 10 feet). Compact and easy to place on shelves, counters, or easels.
• 18″ × 24″ — The most versatile size. Works well for retail window or wall displays, event booths, open house signs, school and church notices, and mid-range viewing (roughly 10–20 feet). A strong all-around choice for most indoor applications.
• 24″ × 36″ — Larger visibility for trade show booths, freestanding displays, open houses, and areas where people will see the sign from farther away. Good when you need the message to stand out in a busy space.

Need a different size? We can produce custom foam board signs up to 36″ × 47″. Call 800.440.9131 or email brightprintworks@gmail.com for a custom quote.

Not sure which size fits your space? Measure the available area and consider how far away people will be when they read the sign. Larger sizes help with distance but require more room to display.

Where Foam Board Signs Work Well

Foam board is a practical choice for temporary or semi-permanent indoor signage and short-term outdoor use. It is lightweight enough to hang or mount easily and rigid enough to stay flat.

• Indoor retail and point-of-sale: Price signs, product features, promotions, and directional signs near counters or shelves.
• Trade shows and event booths: Booth headers, product information, and wayfinding inside the booth.
• Presentations and meetings: Charts, timelines, and visual aids that need to stay flat and readable.
• Open houses and real estate: Property features, directional signs, and temporary outdoor use when protected from rain and wind.
• School, church, and community events: Schedules, welcome signs, and notices that can be reused or updated.
• Temporary outdoor use: Short-term displays when the sign is protected from weather. Foam board is not recommended for long-term outdoor exposure to moisture.

Single-Sided vs. Double-Sided

Choose single-sided when the sign will be mounted against a wall, placed on a counter facing one direction, or viewed primarily from one side. This is the most common option for indoor displays.

Choose double-sided when the sign will be seen from both directions — for example, hanging from a ceiling, mounted on a freestanding easel in the middle of a room, or placed where people approach from either side. Double-sided printing requires artwork for both sides.

For more detail on choosing the right option, see our guide: Custom Foam Board Printing: Single-Sided vs. Double-Sided.

About the Material

Our foam board signs feature a lightweight polystyrene foam core with smooth white semi-gloss paper facing on both sides. The material is rigid enough to stay flat yet light enough to hang or mount with standard grommets.

It is well suited for indoor environments and temporary outdoor use when kept dry. For longer outdoor exposure or higher durability needs, other materials such as coroplast may be a better fit. See our comparison: Foam Board vs. Coroplast Signs.

How to Order Foam Board Signs

1. Choose your size: 12″ × 18″, 18″ × 24″, or 24″ × 36″. Custom sizes up to 36″ × 47″ are available by quote.
2. Select single-sided or double-sided printing.
3. Upload print-ready artwork. PDF is preferred. High-resolution JPG and PNG files are also accepted. No screenshots or low-resolution artwork. 50 MB maximum per file. Keep important text and logos at least 0.25″ from all edges. Double-sided orders require artwork for both sides.
4. Review pricing. All advertised prices include tax and grommets. Shipping is calculated separately.
5. Place your order online or contact us for quantities over 10 or custom sizes.

Need help with artwork or have questions about size or quantity? Call 800.440.9131 or email brightprintworks@gmail.com.