Foamex vs Correx: Which Display Board Should You Buy?
Quick answer: Foamex is a rigid, smooth PVC board with a premium finish, best for high-quality indoor and outdoor displays — our most popular display board material, from £11.50. Correx is a lightweight, weatherproof fluted plastic, more economical and best suited to temporary or budget-conscious outdoor signage, from £7.50. Both are printed in-house at our Paisley studio; the right choice depends on finish, budget and how long the board needs to last.
At a Glance
| Foamex | Correx | |
|---|---|---|
| From | £11.50 | £7.50 |
| Material | Rigid PVC board | Fluted plastic (like corrugated cardboard, but plastic) |
| Thickness | 3mm or 5mm | 4mm Correx or 5.5mm DiPlast |
| Sizes | A4 / A3 / A2 / A1 / A0 | A4 / A3 / A2 / A1 / A0, custom up to 2.44m x 1.22m |
| Finish | Smooth, premium, white or black board | Economical, lightweight, functional finish |
| Best for | Indoor point of sale, menu boards, exhibitions, premium wall mounts | Outdoor signage, for-sale boards, wayfinding, bulk rollouts |
| Extras available | Laminates (matt, gloss, dry-wipe), chrome wall fixings, custom shapes | Drilled holes for cable ties or screws, bulk pricing to 100 units |
| Standard turnaround | 2–4 working days | 2–4 working days |
Foamex: The Premium, Versatile Choice
Foamex is our best-selling display board material — a rigid, smooth PVC board that gives a clean, flat, professional finish wherever it's used. It's available in 3mm or 5mm thickness, in white or black board, with optional laminates including a dry-wipe finish for reusable menu and specials boards, and chrome stand-off fixings for a premium floating wall-mounted look. Our Shaped Display Boards use the same material cut to any custom outline.
Choose Foamex if: you want a premium, presentation-quality finish for retail, hospitality, exhibitions or office signage, need a reusable dry-wipe board, or want a professional chrome-mounted wall display.
Correx: The Economical Outdoor Workhorse
Correx is a lightweight fluted plastic board — economical, weatherproof and built for outdoor signage that needs to look sharp without a big budget, especially in volume. It's available in standard 4mm Correx or thicker, more rigid 5.5mm DiPlast, with bulk pricing across quantities of 1 to 100 that drops significantly per sign at higher volumes.
Choose Correx if: you need outdoor signage on a budget, are ordering in bulk for a multi-site or nationwide rollout, or need a temporary or semi-permanent sign for a for-sale board, construction site or event.
Indoor vs Outdoor: Which Holds Up Better?
Both materials can be used outdoors, but they're built for different outdoor jobs. Foamex can be used outside and we recommend adding a matt or gloss laminate for extra weather protection on longer-term displays — it's the better choice when appearance matters as much as durability. Correx is weatherproof as standard, designed specifically for outdoor use, and is the more economical option when you need a functional, temporary sign rather than a premium finish.
What They All Have in Common
- Same in-house production. Both are printed, cut and finished at our Paisley studio in full colour.
- Same standard turnaround. 2–4 working days across both ranges.
- Same design support. Our in-house team can build your artwork from scratch at £35 per hour on either material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Foamex better than Correx?
Neither is strictly "better" — they're built for different jobs. Foamex gives a smoother, more premium finish suited to indoor and presentation-quality displays. Correx is lighter, more economical and purpose-built for outdoor and temporary signage.
Can Correx be used indoors?
Yes, Correx can be used indoors, though most customers choose it specifically for its outdoor weatherproofing and budget-friendly bulk pricing. For an indoor display, Foamex generally gives a more polished finish.
Which is more weatherproof, Foamex or Correx?
Correx is weatherproof as standard and designed specifically for outdoor use. Foamex can also be used outdoors, but we recommend adding a laminate for extra weather protection on longer-term outdoor displays.
What's the difference between Correx and DiPlast?
Both are fluted plastic boards. Standard 4mm Correx is lightweight and economical. 5.5mm DiPlast is thicker and more rigid, giving extra durability for signs that need to last longer or stand up to more handling.
Which is cheaper, Foamex or Correx?
Correx is the more economical option, starting from £7.50 versus £11.50 for Foamex, and its bulk pricing across quantities up to 100 makes it especially cost-effective for multi-sign orders.
Still Deciding?
See the full Display Boards Scotland buying guide for the complete range including Shaped Boards and Super Size Cheques, check our Display Board Sizes Guide if you're also weighing up size, or contact our Paisley studio and we'll talk through what suits your job.