Foam vs honeycomb sheets: which graphic support to choose for your projects?

Choosing the right printing material is a strategic decision for professionals in visual communication. It's not enough for the support to be printable — it must also be durable, lightweight, easy to process, and sustainable. Among the most popular options, two materials may look similar but differ greatly in features and performance: foam and honeycomb polypropylene sheets.

This article compares the two solutions to help you decide which is best suited for your digital printing, display, or setup projects.

Foam: affordable, lightweight, but fragile

Foam is an expanded PVC panel widely used for indoor graphic applications. It is popular due to its low cost and ease of cutting and printing. Key advantages:

• Lightweight
• Good flatness for direct printing
• Affordable price

However, it has significant limitations:

• Easily damaged by impacts and bending
• Low moisture resistance
• Not easily recyclable
• Limited lifespan

In short, it is suitable for temporary projects such as promotional signage or short-term countertop displays.

Honeycomb sheets: more durability, more versatility, more sustainability

Honeycomb polypropylene sheets, such as those in the IPRINT® line by Innepla, represent a more advanced technical solution. Made of two compact outer layers and a honeycomb core, they offer:

• High mechanical strength even in large formats
• Waterproof and washable
• Excellent adhesion in UV direct printing
• Recyclable and reusable material

They are ideal for point-of-sale displays, totems, trade show panels, indoor/outdoor signage, and any application requiring durability without compromising on aesthetics.

If your project has a short life cycle, is intended for a protected environment, and the budget is very limited, foam can be a suitable solution.
But if you're looking for a more durable, sustainable, and professional material that enhances your work and stands the test of time, then honeycomb polypropylene sheets are the right choice.

With the IPRINT® line, Innepla provides advanced graphic supports designed for those seeking performance, versatility, and uncompromising visual quality. Contact us to receive a sample, technical information, or to develop the most suitable solution for your project.