Meta: foam board printing Singapore, kapaline vs foam board, HIPS poster boards, trim to size foam boards, die-cut foam board printing

What is the Difference Between Kapaline Boards and Foam Boards?

Wondering whether kapaline boards and foam boards are the same thing? You are not alone. Many designers, marketers, and business owners in Singapore use these terms interchangeably, but the material you choose can affect print quality, durability, and cost.

1. Quick overview

Walk into any print shop in Singapore and you might hear the terms kapaline board and foam board used interchangeably. One designer asks for kapaline, another for foam board, and both walk out with something that looks similar at a glance. Under the surface, though, they are not identical.

2. Why people use the terms interchangeably

Think of kapaline the way people use the word Velcro. It started out as a brand name and, over time, became shorthand for a type of paper-faced foam board. In the printing world, many vendors still refer to any paper-faced foam board as kapaline, regardless of the actual manufacturer.

In other words, kapaline sits inside the broader foam board family. It is a specific construction: a foam core sandwiched between smooth paper liners, mainly meant for indoor use and shorter-term displays.

3. Are kapaline boards and foam boards the same thing?

Not exactly. Here is a simple way to think about it:

• Foam board is the general category. It can be paper-faced, plastic-faced, or use other coatings over a foam core.
• Kapaline board refers to a paper-faced foam board type. It is light, relatively rigid, and best for indoor posters and displays.

In everyday conversation, most people use the terms loosely because the boards look similar from the front. The difference matters when you start asking what they are made of, how they behave over time, and where you plan to use them.

4. What we use at The One Inkjet (HIPS poster boards)

At The One Inkjet, we do not use standard kapaline-style boards as our default. Instead, we use HIPS boards (High Impact Polystyrene) for our poster board products. These are engineered for better performance than typical paper-faced foam boards.

• More durable and warp-resistant: HIPS boards are significantly less prone to bending or warping compared to many common foam boards.
• Smoother print surface: The polymer surface allows for excellent ink acceptance, which helps produce sharp, vibrant prints.
• Built for repeated use: Suitable for events, retail displays, and situations where the board may be transported or handled multiple times.
• Available in multiple formats: Offered as both trim-to-size poster boards and custom die-cut boards.

On the website, these are listed as Poster Boards, but the core material is a tougher, more stable HIPS substrate rather than basic kapaline.

5. Who should care about the difference?

Not everyone needs the technical details, but the distinction becomes important for certain users:

• Event planners: You need display boards that stay flat and smart-looking from setup to teardown.
• Business owners: Your signage should not look bent, warped, or flimsy after a few hours in air-conditioned or outdoor environments.
• Designers and agencies: You care about how colour, sharpness, and surface finish represent your work and your client’s brand.

If the board is only used once, indoors, for a short period, standard paper-faced foam boards can be sufficient. For anything more demanding, HIPS poster boards offer a noticeably more reliable result.

6. Trim-to-size vs die-cut foam board printing

When you choose foam or poster board printing in Singapore, you will generally see two main options:

Trim-to-size poster boards

These are rectangular or square boards cut to the exact size you need. They are ideal for event signages, directional boards, menu boards, or simple product displays.

You can order them directly via Foam Board Printing Singapore (Trim to Size).

Die-cut poster boards

Die-cut boards follow the shape of your design instead of a fixed rectangle. For example, you can create product silhouettes, mascots, speech bubbles, or logos that stand out more than a standard rectangle.

For this option, use Die-Cut Foam Board Printing Singapore.

7. File setup tips for best results

To get the sharpest and most accurate output from your kapaline or foam board print:

• File format: PDF is preferred, at final size, with bleed if your design runs to the edge.
• Colour mode: Set artwork to CMYK for more predictable print results.
• Resolution: Aim for about 150-300 dpi at final print size for large-format boards.
• Die-cut shapes: For custom shapes, supply vector artwork with a separate cut path clearly indicated.

If you are unsure how to prepare files, you can always send what you have and our team can advise on the best way forward.

8. How to order foam board printing in Singapore

If you are looking for something sturdy, smooth, and professionally printed, you are already in the right place. At The One Inkjet, we print on HIPS poster boards with high-quality large-format printers, suitable for events, retail, and corporate displays.

You can place an order or browse options here:

• Foam Board Printing Singapore (Trim to Size)
• Die-Cut Foam Board Printing Singapore

Order Poster Boards Now     Talk to Our Team

FAQs