PVC Foam Board Printing Proof Checklist | Goldensign

Have they printed a sample on the board you are quoting for? Have they removed the protective film in the same way you would? Have they checked the finished panel in a frame? When ordering PVC foam boards for shop graphics, exhibition panels or information signs it is good to have an approved proof.

This will allow you to see what the sheet will look like with your design, and will give you a real-life example of how it will look when printed. Here's how to set up a practical approval process.

Start with the sign

Talk through how the sign will be used. If it is going to be mounted to a backing this will have different requirements than if it is going to be mounted around the edges. If it is a temporary promotion inside this will need to be discussed differently than if it will be used outside. Don't forget to mention how the sign will be used.

Give the board supplier the dimensions of your panel, how it will be mounted, how it will be used and what finishing will be carried out. Goldensign offers various ranges of free foam board, Celuka and co-extruded PVC boards. Ask them which grade you will be using and ensure it is suitable with a sample.

Request a sample

A small sample will help you talk through the colours and finish. It won't show you how a large flat graphic will look or how a full panel will fit in a frame. Request a sample large enough to check the graphic, the trimmed edge and the intended mounting arrangement.

Include a section of the artwork that may cause issues such as large coloured areas, small fonts and the trim edge. Ensure you have permission to replicate the artwork. Include the version of the file so you know what version you are approving. If the customer's designer is still amending the layout, this will help you distinguish an artwork change from a material change.

Track the print trial

Ensure you know what sheet you are using. Record the grade reference, nominal thickness and sample identification supplied with the sheet. If they have sent multiple options then give each one a different trial number. Two white trims can easily get mixed up.

Ask the print operator to note down what printer, ink system, profile and any relevant pre-press processes have been used. Follow the instructions given by the equipment and ink suppliers. Don't assume there will be a universal clean-up process or that all inks will be the same. General printability advice from the board supplier does not replace a trial with your own printer and ink system.

If the panel will be supplied with a protective film, ask when it should be removed and how the surface should be treated. Try to follow the process you want to use. A carefully made sample by one person may not represent how the panel will be processed in production as it may go through multiple stations.

Approve the finished graphic

Ensure the sample is alongside the artwork reference. View the sample in the correct light for your project. Agree who will be approving the colours and finish. Your purchasing colleague may be able to approve the board specification but the customer's designer will be responsible for the printed graphic.

Whilst photos are helpful, a photo from your phone is not a great reference for final colours. Ensure you have a physical sample that has been approved. Note which side of the sample has been approved and if the white has been approved. This will avoid any arguments over if the whole panel has been approved.

Talk to your printer, ink supplier and customer about any adhesion or durability requirements. Agree how you will test it and what the acceptance criteria are. A quick scratch with your fingernail is not a substitute for an agreed test. Just because it worked in the print trial inside doesn't mean it will last outdoors.

Complete a finished panel

Don't forget that printing isn't the final step. Trim the sample using the process you will be using. Check the trim. Mount the panel using the mounting method you will be using. Check the trims, holes and gaps are as shown on the drawing. If there is a laminate or any other finish included then include this in your sample.

Ask the installer to check the finished panel. Note what has been checked. This will tell the next person much more than just an approval. Ensure you have resolved the issue before approving.

Agree how many samples you will keep and who will keep them. Note the date and approval reference on the back. Ensure this doesn't cover the area you want to check. Store the reference according to the material supplier's instructions. If the sample gets scratched, dirty or is not suitable for comparison then replace with an approved sample.

Ensure the approval can be used again

Ensure you have the reference to the sheet, artwork version, print notes and finished sample. The purchase order should include the agreed material and any requirements for protective film, packaging and finish. Keep the approval record where the people handling the order can find it, rather than in an email attachment accessible to only one colleague.

If you are doing the same job again then ensure you have the correct material. If the board grade, ink system, artwork or finish have changed then decide what needs to be re-trialed. Only use an old approval if it covers the requirements of the new job.

When contacting Goldensign for PVC foam boards for Printed Signs, include the dimensions of the sign, where it will be used, how it will be mounted, how it will be printed and how much you need. Ask for a labelled sample of the grade you want to use. This will give them a real-life example to talk through and your print team a practical way to move from a quote to an approved panel.