NZ Guide to Sign Board Materials

The material your sign is made from affects everything: how long it lasts, how it looks, how much it weighs, and how well it stands up to New Zealand’s weather. This short guide breaks down the most common sign board materials used for interior and exterior signage, along with their strengths, weaknesses, and best-use scenarios.

Written from the substrates our team regularly works with on commercial signage projects across Auckland. These are the materials, sizes, and trade-offs we actually deal with.

• Sheet sizes and where to buy
• The substrates we use
• How to choose
• What we recommend
• Frequently asked questions

Sign Board Sheets in NZ: Common Sizes, Thicknesses and Where to Buy Them

If you're looking for sign board sheets rather than finished signage, the common NZ options are ACM, acrylic, foam PVC, corflute and polycarbonate. Most commercial signage panels are cut down from standard sheet sizes.

• ACM (aluminium composite): 2440×1220, 3050×1500, larger trade formats up to 4050×2000. Thicknesses 3mm, 4mm, 6mm. Sourced from trade sign and plastics suppliers. Best for exterior panels, fascia, shopfronts.
• Acrylic (cast): 2440×1220, 2770×1860, 3050×2050. Thicknesses 2mm to 25mm common; up to 50mm available. Sourced from plastics and signage suppliers. Best for reception signs, 3D letters, LED signs.
• Foam PVC (Palight, Palfoam): 2440×1220, 3050×1220, 3050×1560. Thicknesses 1mm to 10mm (3mm is the everyday workhorse). Sourced from trade suppliers; some retail availability. Best for indoor panels, menus, directory signs.
• Corflute: 900×600 through 2440×1220 and 2700×1225. Thicknesses 3mm, 5mm. Sourced from Bunnings, trade suppliers, print suppliers. Best for temporary signs, real estate, events.
• Polycarbonate (Palsun, Palgard): 2440×1220, 2440×1830, 3050×2050. Thicknesses 3mm, 4.5mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm. Sourced from plastics and trade suppliers. Best for impact-resistant or LED signs.

Where to buy in NZ

Common trade suppliers include PSP, Total Supply, Sign Sheet NZ and plastic sheet suppliers such as Cambrian Plastics, depending on material and region. Bunnings stocks corflute and some basic PVC. Some trade suppliers will sell single sheets to walk-ins, though pricing sits closer to retail than trade.

Quick selector

• If you want a finished outdoor business sign, start with ACM.
• If you want a premium indoor or LED sign, compare acrylic and polycarbonate.
• If you want temporary cheap signage, look at corflute.
• If you want to buy raw sheets for a DIY project, check trade suppliers or basic retail options.

On pricing

Raw sheet pricing changes by supplier, thickness, and finish. For installed signage pricing by sign type and size, see our business signage costs guide.

The Most Common Substrates Used in NZ Signage

ACM (Aluminium Composite Material)

ACM is the industry standard for most exterior signage in New Zealand. It’s made of two thin aluminium skins with a solid polyethylene core, giving it strength, rigidity, and excellent resistance to UV and weather. It doesn’t warp, swell, or delaminate like timber-based products.

Best uses:

• Shopfront panels
• Fascia signage
• Exterior branding
• Long-term outdoor signs

ACM also comes in matte, gloss, brushed aluminium, and colour-coated finishes, making it incredibly versatile.

For a detailed breakdown, see our ACM Panel Signs Guide.

Acrylic (Perspex / PMMA)

Acrylic is a premium material known for its high-gloss finish and ability to be laser-cut into crisp shapes. It’s ideal for polished, modern signage with a professional finish.

Best uses:

• Reception signs
• 3D letters and logos
• Illuminated signs
• Premium interior branding

Clear, opal, coloured, frosted, and mirrored options make acrylic suitable for many design styles.

For deeper information about acrylic and its uses, view our Acrylic Signage Guide.

PVC Board (Palight / Forex)

PVC board is lightweight, smooth, and perfect for indoor signage. It prints beautifully and mounts easily.

Best uses:

• Menu boards
• Directory panels
• Internal wall signage
• Retail branding

PVC is not recommended for long-term exterior use due to heat expansion.

Corflute (Twin-Wall Polypropylene)

Corflute is a cost-effective material designed for temporary or short-term signage. It’s lightweight with visible internal flutes, keeping production costs low.

Best uses:

• Construction site signs
• Real estate boards
• Event and promotional signage
• Temporary outdoor panels

Typical lifespan is 6–24 months depending on UV exposure.

Foamboard / Foamcore

Foamboard is extremely lightweight and ideal for short-term indoor displays where crisp print quality matters more than durability.

Best uses:

• Exhibitions
• POS displays
• Temporary wall graphics
• Indoor presentations

Not suitable for outdoor use.

Polycarbonate Sheet

Polycarbonate is a highly impact-resistant material often used when acrylic may crack or where durability is essential. It’s also popular in illuminated signage.

Best uses:

• Backlit pylons
• Illuminated signs
• Protective sign covers
• High-impact environments

Excellent UV and heat resistance make it suitable for harsh NZ conditions.

Plywood / Timber Panels

Plywood offers a warm, natural aesthetic that suits boutique retail, cafés, and interior spaces. When sealed properly, it can handle sheltered exterior use.

Best uses:

• Café and hospitality signage
• Interior feature walls
• Decorative panel signs
• Boutique branding

Unsealed timber will warp outdoors, so finishing quality is key.

Aluminium Sheet (Solid)

Solid aluminium is used for industrial or compliance-focused signage. It’s durable, heat-resistant, and extremely stable.

Best uses:

• Safety signage
• Compliance signs
• Marine or industrial applications

What to Consider When Choosing a Substrate

Indoor vs Outdoor Performance

Different materials behave differently in NZ’s climate:

• ACM: excellent outdoors
• Acrylic: long-lasting both indoors and outdoors
• PVC: indoor only
• Corflute: temporary outdoor use
• Foamboard: indoor only
• Polycarbonate: very durable outdoors

Start by deciding where the sign will live.

Durability & Lifespan

A general guide:

• ACM: 7–15 years
• Acrylic: 5–15 years
• PVC: many years indoors
• Corflute: 6–24 months
• Foamboard: short-term
• Polycarbonate: long-term, extremely robust

Vinyl and lamination further increase lifespan.

Weight & Installation Method

Weight affects fixings, installation cost, and size limits:

• ACM: rigid and stable
• Acrylic: heavier; often standoff-mounted
• PVC: lightweight
• Plywood: heavier and fixings-dependent
• Polycarbonate: toughness with some flexibility

Lighter panels reduce install cost and effort.

Aesthetic Finish

Appearance influences style and branding:

• Gloss: Acrylic, PVC, gloss ACM
• Matte: ACM matte, PVC matte
• Textured: Timber
• Backlit/translucent: Acrylic opal, polycarbonate

The right finish elevates the final result.

Cost Differences (Simple Overview)

Costs vary by thickness, finish, and project complexity, but the rough hierarchy is:

• Most cost-effective: Corflute
• Budget indoor: Foam PVC
• Mid-range: ACM
• Premium: Acrylic, polycarbonate
• Variable: Timber (depends on species and sealing)

For project-level pricing examples by sign type and size, see our business signage costs guide.

What We Recommend for Common Projects

Exterior Shopfront Signage

ACM Panel Signs is the standard choice due to rigidity and weather performance. For premium upgrades, acrylic lettering is ideal.

Interior Reception & Office Branding

Acrylic and PVC panels deliver a clean, professional look indoors.

Temporary or Event Signage

Corflute and foamboard work well for temporary promotions, indoor displays, and short-term event signage.

Illuminated Signs

Use opal acrylic or polycarbonate for Led or Illuminated Signs, which diffuse light evenly and handle heat well.

Summary: How to Choose the Right Board Material

• ACM for long-term outdoor signage
• Acrylic for premium interior or illuminated signs
• PVC for lightweight indoor panels
• Corflute for temporary signage
• Foamboard for short-term displays
• Polycarbonate for durable, high-impact environments

See more guides in the resource hub

Related guides

• Sign mounting methods: how signs are fixed to surfaces
• Signage safety and compliance in New Zealand
• Sign accessibility and readability