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Flat Panel Signage

Sustainable Signs Printed Direct. No Limits. Bigger, Bolder, and Built to Last.

Unlock unlimited creative possibilities with our latest flatbed printing technology

Flat panel signage — also called rigid sign printing or flatbed printing — refers to high-resolution graphics applied directly onto solid, non-flexible materials. Unlike banner or fabric printing, flatbed printing uses UV or latex inks cured directly onto the substrate surface, delivering sharp, durable, weatherproof results that hold up outdoors for years.

Our flat panel signage solutions are designed with both performance and sustainability in mind. By combining durable materials with efficient production methods, we deliver signage that not only looks great but reduces environmental impact over its lifecycle.

Full-colour graphics are printed directly onto high-performance substrates such as aluminium composite panels and advanced rigid materials—providing a cost-effective, long-term signage solution with minimal environmental footprint. Produced locally in Adelaide, our flat panel signage reduces transport emissions while ensuring consistent quality and fast turnaround.

Direct-to-Substrate Flatbed Printing delivers incredibly vivid colours and sharp details, ensuring your artwork, photographs, and promotional materials stand out from the crowd.

What are the most common materials that are printed on a flatbed?

Flatbed printing technology is incredibly versatile. Here are the most popular surfaces (substrates) we print on every day.

Corflute Banner

Corflute (Corrugated Plastic)

Australia’s go-to substrate for real estate signs, event signage and temporary displays. Corflute (also known as fluted polypropylene or corrugated sign board) is lightweight, weatherproof, and extremely cost-effective. Available in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses, it’s perfect for short-to-medium term outdoor use.

Best for: real estate boards, election signs, event directional, sporting club signs, short-term outdoor use.

ACP Sign - Aluminium Composite Panel

ACP (Aluminium Composite Panel)

ACP (aluminium composite panel) is the premium choice for long-term outdoor signage. With a polyethylene core bonded between two aluminium skins, ACP is rigid, flat, and exceptionally durable. Commonly used for building fascias, shopfront signs, and corporate identity boards that need to last 5–10+ years outdoors.

Best for: shopfronts, corporate signage, building identification, long-term outdoor displays.

PVC Banner Signage

PVC Foam Board (Foamex / Sintra)

PVC foam board — known by brand names like Foamex, Sintra or Celtec — is a rigid, smooth-faced expanded PVC sheet ideal for indoor displays, retail signage and short-run outdoor applications. It has a clean white finish that produces outstanding print quality, and can be easily cut, routed or shaped.

Best for: retail displays, exhibition stands, point-of-sale, indoor corporate signage, photography backdrops.

Acrylic Panel Sign

Acrylic (Perspex)

Clear, frosted or coloured acrylic delivers a premium, glass-like aesthetic for high-end signage applications. Printed from behind (second-surface printing) for a luxurious depth of colour, or face-printed with UV inks for bold graphics. Ideal for reception signage, retail displays and architectural applications.

Best for: reception signs, awards, premium retail, architectural features, wayfinding panels.

Foamboard - Foamcore Signage

Foam Core Board

Foam core (also called foam board or foam poster board) features a polystyrene foam centre with smooth paper or plastic faces. Ultra-lightweight and easy to cut, it’s the preferred choice for presentations, exhibition graphics and short-term indoor displays. Not suited to outdoor use or high-traffic areas.

Best for: presentations, event displays, trade shows, museum/gallery graphics, indoor poster displays.

HP Latex R2000 Flat Bed Printer - Direct to Substrate Printing

Printing that’s easier on the planet

Signs SA is now printing on the HP Latex R2000 Plus!

We recently upgraded to the HP Latex R2000 Plus, recognised globally as one of the most environmentally responsible large format printers available. The result is a printing process that’s cleaner at every stage — from production through to installation.

In plain terms, that means your signs come out sharper, more vibrant, and more durable than ever before. Better for the environment. Better for the people around it. And no compromise on the quality of your signs.

Proof That Large Format Printing Doesn't Have to Cost the Earth!

Why choose flatbed printing for your signage?

Flatbed printing is the ideal choice for flat panel signage because it allows for direct, high-quality printing onto rigid materials, delivering durable, vibrant results with precision and efficiency.

Colours That Actually Match Your Brand

Stop worrying about whether your red will look right. Our printer is Pantone validated, meaning the colours on your signs match your brand guidelines — not a close approximation of them.

25+ Sheets Per Hour – Seriously Fast

Need a large run in a hurry? Our flatbed processes over 25 sheets of 2.4m × 1.2m material every hour. That kind of throughput means your order doesn’t sit in a queue — it gets done, finished and on its way to you.

Water-based Inks – No harsh chemicals

We use water-based latex inks with no toxic solvents or hazardous fumes. Safer for our team, safer for the environment, and certified safe to install in schools, hospitals and food-preparation areas the moment your signs arrive. Less waste, fewer chemicals, a smaller footprint.

Direct to substrate – less material, less waste

By printing directly onto the sign material, we eliminate the vinyl and adhesive layer that traditional print-and-apply methods require. That means fewer consumables, less landfill, and a more durable result — all at the same time.

Where do flat panel signs make the greatest impact?

How effective your flat panel signs are depends on where they are placed in your space.

Real Estate Signs & Property Boards

For sale, for lease, sold and open home signs printed on 5mm corflute or ACP. Crisp agent branding, durable and reusable. The most common flatbed sign in Australia.

Construction Site Hoardings & Safety Signs

Large format hoardings, builder branding panels, safety compliance signs and site identification boards printed to spec on durable rigid substrates.

Retail & Point-of-Sale Displays

Window graphics, shelf talkers, standees, display panels and promotional signage for retail environments — vivid colour on PVC or foam board.

Outdoor Advertising & A-Frames

Pavement signs, roadside boards, event directional signage and outdoor advertising panels built to withstand sun, wind and rain.

Office & Corporate Signage

Reception signs, wayfinding panels, wall graphics, office branding and interior directional signs. Premium finishes on acrylic or aluminium.

Event & Exhibition Displays

Trade show displays, event backdrops, exhibition panels, conference signage and pop-up branding — fast turnaround, showroom-quality output.

School & Institutional Signage

Directional, identification and decorative signage for schools, hospitals, councils and government bodies — consistent branding across large runs.

Hospitality & Menu Boards

Outdoor menu signs, specials boards, café signage, pub and restaurant panels. Waterproof, vibrant, and easy to update with new artwork.

Acrylic Panel Signage
PVC Panel Signage - Wayfinding Signs
Large Format Aluminium Composite Panel Sign
Acrylic Sign Panel
Directory Signage - PVC Panel Display
PVC Poster - Large Format - Retail Sign

Not sure about what kind of flat panel sign you need?

From idea to installation, our experienced signage team will bring your panel signage to life with precision, creativity, and impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between flatbed printing and regular digital printing?

Regular digital printing (such as roll-to-roll or wide format inkjet) is designed for flexible materials like vinyl banners, canvas and paper. Flatbed printing uses a fixed, flat print bed onto which rigid materials are placed — the printhead moves over the substrate rather than the substrate moving through rollers. This allows printing directly onto solid materials such as corflute, ACP, acrylic and timber without any print-and-apply vinyl step, resulting in a more durable and precise finish.\

What is the maximum size you can print on a flatbed?

Our HP Latex R2000 Plus prints up to 2,500mm wide. Length is limited by the size of the substrate sheet — most rigid materials are available up to 2440mm × 1220mm (standard sheet), though we can also source oversized sheets for special projects. For signage larger than a single sheet, we can produce panels designed to join seamlessly on-site.

Which substrate is best for outdoor flat panel signs?

For short-to-medium term outdoor use (up to 12 months), 5mm corflute is the most cost-effective option. For long-term outdoor signs (3–10+ years), 3mm or 4mm ACP (aluminium composite panel) is the preferred choice — it’s rigid, flat, and extremely weather resistant. If you need something in between, consider 5mm PVC foam board for sheltered outdoor positions. Our team can help recommend the right material for your specific application and budget.

Do flat panel signs need to be laminated?

Not always. HP Latex inks cured directly onto rigid substrates offer excellent scratch and UV resistance without lamination on many applications. For high-traffic areas, signs subject to frequent handling, or installations in harsh UV environments, we recommend a UV-protective laminate to extend the sign’s lifespan. We offer both gloss and matte laminates. Our team will advise based on your application during quoting.
 

How long does flat panel sign printing take?

Standard turnaround is 1–3 business days from artwork approval, depending on quantity, substrate and finishing requirements. Urgent same-day and next-day options are available for select sign types — please contact us to discuss. Larger production runs, custom fabrication or special substrate orders may require additional lead time.
 

Can you print white ink on flatbed signs?

Yes. Our HP Latex R2000 Plus includes a dedicated white ink channel, allowing us to print opaque white as an underbase on clear, metallic or dark substrates. This is particularly useful for clear acrylic signs (second-surface printing), dark ACP, and specialty materials where printing CMYK without a white base would appear transparent or washed out.
 

Do you offer finishing services like routing, drilling and eyelets?

Yes — we offer a full range of finishing services including CNC routing to custom shapes, corner rounding, drill holes, eyelet insertion, velcro backing, foam spacers for stand-off mounting, and aluminium framing. Whether you need a simple rectangular board or a complex shaped sign, we can handle it in-house for a one-stop solution.
 

Get in touch!

Our team is happy to answer your signage queries or prepare a quote.

We can even arrange an on-site visit and consultation. Please leave a phone number if you are happy for one of our signage consultants to call you.

Or give us a call now

Testimonials

A huge thanks to the crew at Signs SA

A huge thanks to the crew at Signs SA... what an awesome job. The service was great, Nick who handled the graphic design was a champ and the install guys had it done in 15 minutes flat ... they even arranged window tinting next door at 5 minutes notice. I come across plenty of businesses in my field of public speaking and radio but I can safely say the service these guys offer is as good as it gets.

Andrew Costello
South Aussie with Cosi & SAFM

Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury
5
2018-10-31T10:56:44+10:30

Andrew Costello
South Aussie with Cosi & SAFM

A huge thanks to the crew at Signs SA... what an awesome job. The service was great, Nick who handled the graphic design was a champ and the install guys had it done in 15 minutes flat ... they even arranged window tinting next door at 5 minutes notice. I come across plenty of businesses in my field of public speaking and radio but I can safely say the service these guys offer is as good as it gets.

Reliable, Professional and Competitive

Once again, reliable, professional & competitive. Thanks again Jared and team & keep up the great work.

Mike Lazzaro, Project Manager
Total Tools Aust.

Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury
2025-03-12T21:35:27+10:30

Mike Lazzaro, Project Manager
Total Tools Aust.

Once again, reliable, professional & competitive. Thanks again Jared and team & keep up the great work.
plumbifylogo

Their workmanship is second to none

Signs SA have installed the graphics on every one of our plumbing vans now and I can’t fault them. As well as this they take care of all our promotional material like stickers, magnets and pamphlets. Andrew and the team at Signs SA are super easy to deal with and true professionals. Their workmanship is second to none and I am always getting positive feedback from our customers on their vehicle graphics.

Matthew Zubrinich, Managing Director
Plumbify

Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury
2020-08-01T17:18:06+09:30

Matthew Zubrinich, Managing Director
Plumbify

plumbifylogo
Signs SA have installed the graphics on every one of our plumbing vans now and I can’t fault them. As well as this they take care of all our promotional material like stickers, magnets and pamphlets. Andrew and the team at Signs SA are super easy to deal with and true professionals. Their workmanship is second to none and I am always getting positive feedback from our customers on their vehicle graphics.
subway logo

The team at Signs SA make updating your signage easy.

The team at Signs SA make updating your signage easy. They have great product knowledge, prompt delivery into WA and always help our Franchise Owners hit their budget. They are a one stop shop for all our signage requirements.

Matthew Brownhill, Restaurant Development & Operations
Subway

Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury
5
2018-10-31T11:52:32+10:30

Matthew Brownhill, Restaurant Development & Operations
Subway

subway logo
The team at Signs SA make updating your signage easy. They have great product knowledge, prompt delivery into WA and always help our Franchise Owners hit their budget. They are a one stop shop for all our signage requirements.
LR_Logo

Great Tinting and Excellent Service

I’ve just visited the Port Adelaide Clinic, the tinting looks fabulous and the staff love it; it’s had a great impact and been very positively received. Your team were fantastic and minimised disruption in the waiting room and cleaned up as they went to make the process seamless. Thanks again Andrew and also to Darren your other team member.

Paul McEvoy, Head of Operations
Radiology SA

Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury
2024-12-12T15:34:16+10:30

Paul McEvoy, Head of Operations
Radiology SA

LR_Logo
I’ve just visited the Port Adelaide Clinic, the tinting looks fabulous and the staff love it; it’s had a great impact and been very positively received. Your team were fantastic and minimised disruption in the waiting room and cleaned up as they went to make the process seamless. Thanks again Andrew and also to Darren your other team member.
ielectrical

I’d just like to thank you.

I’d just like to thank you and give you and your team a huge pat on the back. We have now had 9 vehicles, 1 trailer and over 10 other small projects completed by you and have been over the moon with all of them. Your customer service and communication are spot on. I highly recommend your team and will continue to use you for years to come.

Matt Downie, Director
iElectrical and Commuications

Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury
2020-07-31T17:04:20+09:30

Matt Downie, Director
iElectrical and Commuications

ielectrical
I’d just like to thank you and give you and your team a huge pat on the back. We have now had 9 vehicles, 1 trailer and over 10 other small projects completed by you and have been over the moon with all of them. Your customer service and communication are spot on. I highly recommend your team and will continue to use you for years to come.
5
2
Signs SA | Signarama Salisbury

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