10 Best Glues for Foam Board Mounting 2022 Reviews

What is Foam Board?

Foam board is a signage and printing material that is made up of a dense foam core squashed between two sheets of matte paper. The foam core is made from polystyrene, one of the world's most common types of plastic, used in producing Styrofoam. Foam board is ultra-lightweight because of the polystyrene core that is essentially 95-98% air.

While there is no difference between foam board and foam core, gator board and Sintra board are both similar yet quite distinct. You can learn all about gator board printing here, and the difference between Sintra board and foam board here.

Foam Board Mounting

Before we get into evaluating what is the best glue for foam boards, we must discuss what foam board mounting is and the two types available. Foam core board mounting is a common technique used for displaying pictures. It involves adhering a photo or image to a board with a foam core and a matte paper surface.

Mounting photos on foam board is aesthetically pleasing and complements any image without overpowering it. In addition, foam board mounting is affordable, lightweight and can last long, especially when it is shielded from the outside elements, like water and sun.

Foam board mounting is the method of affixing a printed image to a foam board for display. You can easily do this with glue, adhesive spray, or double-sided adhesive sheets. However, most foam boards come with self-adhesive coatings.

DIYs are quite easy if you have steady hands. A lack of steadiness will cause air bubbles and wrongly affixed pictures. However, if you’re working with a large print or image, it might be better to leave the mounting to a professional mounting service. Alternatively, consider directly printing on foam board, which is typically affordable, fast, and far less frustrating. Working with larger prints requires proper tools and a spacious workspace.

Using the wrong materials and techniques when mounting photos on foam board can cause air bubbles, wrinkles in the photo or poster, and warping. An essential rule of thumb is: if you need to take the foam board to a print shop to print the image you’re about to mount, it's best to leave the foam core board mounting for the print shop as well.

Advantages of Foam Board Mounting

If you’re trying to make a big impression with your décor without spending a fortune, foam board mounting is your best friend. There are several advantages to working with foam board:

• Rigid and Sturdy: Think of foam board as a heavy-duty poster board. A bit thicker than poster board, foam board will not curl, bend or sag. It is rigid and holds its shape when placed on an easel or hung on a wall.
• Extremely Lightweight: Although the foam core makes foam board thicker than poster board, it adds virtually no additional weight. Foam board is lightweight and easy to transport, display, and store.
• Easy to Cut into Custom Shapes: Foam board can be die-cut into any shape imaginable, yet it still holds its shape beautifully.
• Easily Printed: Foam board accepts printing well and displays brilliant colors. It can be printed on both sides without the colors bleeding through. It is colorfast.
• Suitable for Framing: Printed foam board or DIY foam board projects can easily be framed. But a frame is not required to keep foam board flare and rigid.
• Budget-Friendly: Foam board is exceptionally low-cost yet delivers a professional appearance.

Because foam board is so low-cost, you can buy as many as you want and affix them wherever you choose. Foam board is super lightweight, making it easy to hang large images such as large movie posters or art prints without worries.

Although foam board is susceptible to wear and tear, it is also incredibly inexpensive, and you can replace it without shedding a tear.

Disadvantages of Foam Board Mounting

As mentioned earlier, foam board does not respond well to all adhesives and it can be picky! Some glues and paints can interact with the foam, causing it to dissolve or melt… yikes. Water-based glues can also affect the integrity of the paper you glue to the foam board, causing the outer layers to warp as it dries. Hence, dry mounting techniques are best for mounting photos on foam board.

Some foam boards have a slightly acidic surface, which means that they are not compatible with archival images.

Fortunately, acid-free glue for foam board options are available in the market for use with fine art and photographs that require framing.

Foam boards are prone to water damage. Photos and posters mounted on foam boards can be damaged once they contact moisture. So, it is best to keep foam board-mounted pictures and arts indoors for preservation. Also, avoid damp places such as the kitchen or the bathroom.

Mounting on Foam Board vs. Printing on Foam Board

Foam board mounting is when you adhere a preprinted image, photograph, or poster to a foam board. On the other hand, foam board printing skips the affixing process and prints the image directly onto foam board using a high-quality printing machine.

Foam board printing has excellent advantages, including incredibly vibrant images, prolonged picture life, and cutting the artwork into multiple sections for a triptych display. In addition, foam board printing or direct printing on foam board can be laminated to form a moisture barrier.

Laminating the foam board print will make the image less likely to warp, meaning the display can be hung and stay outdoors without getting damaged by the elements. Mounted photos, however, should never be left outdoors for prolonged hours.

Advantages of Foam Board Printing

Printing on foam board builds on the many benefits of using foam board. While it is a popular choice for DIY projects, printing on foam board gives professional-looking results that cannot be beaten! The advantages of printing on foam board include:

• Low Cost: While foam board itself is highly economical, printing directly on foam board is easy with the right equipment, so we can pass the considerable savings on to the customer.
• Printing on Both Sides: When you choose foam board printing, we can print both sides for you. Because the foam board is rigid, it can easily be mounted so that both sides are visible.
• Choose Your Finish: Further customize your printed foam board project by choosing between a matte or glossy finish.
• Custom Shape: Depending upon your project, you might appreciate the ability to have your foam board print cut into a circle, oval, star, or custom shape. You can apply a halo cut or a die-cut to achieve any custom shape you can imagine.
• Design is a Snap: Some people are not comfortable with their DIY skills. Fortunately, designing your foam board printing project is easy with Printmoz. Upload your photos or custom artwork using our free online design tool. Then, add stock images or graphics from our library, add your own text and colors and arrange them however you choose. If you’d like some design assistance, just hop on a chat — we’re happy to help!

If your DIY skills are uncertain, or you prefer to skip the mess and the challenges of gluing on foam board, we’ll be happy to print it for you!

10 Best Glues for Foam Boards

Not all glues and adhesives can be used on foam boards without badly damaging your project. So, we’ve rounded the best glues for affixing paper to foam boards. You can find them in your local crafts store.

• Original Gorilla Glue: This super-strong glue is sold at most stores and comes in either brown or clear. It's great for gluing foam boards together since you can either brush or roll the thick glue on both surfaces. Wait about 15 minutes for the surface to dry out before sticking the surfaces together.
  Note: When using this glue for foam board, omit the step of spraying the flue with water.
• 3M 30NF Green Fastbond Contact Adhesive: This glue is also referred to as the Green Glue, the 30NF Green Fastbond Contact Adhesive is a reliable brand. It is a water-based contact foam board adhesive with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). This craft foam glue will cost you a bit, but it adheres well to several materials and does not eat away at the foam. Apply the glue on the foam board and allow it to dry completely, then place your print on the foam board; it will bond on contact.
• Construction adhesives: There are several construction adhesives specified for use on foam board, including:
  • Loctite PL 300 Foam Board VOC Latex Construction Adhesive
  • Loctite Power Grab All Purpose Construction Adhesive,
  • Liquid Nails LN604 Projects & Foamboard Adhesive

You’ll need a standard caulk gun to dispense these construction-grade glues for foam board. You can buy a pressurized applicator equipped with a trigger for easy dispensing when buying the Loctite Power Grab.

• Spray adhesives: These are some of the best glues for adhering paper to foam board. We highly recommend:
  • 3M 78 Polystyrene Foam Insulation Spray Adhesive comes in an aerosol can and dries quickly. This spray is designed precisely for insulation foam and does not eat away at the foam. We think this is the best spray adhesive for foam board.
  • 3M Foam Fast 74 Spray Adhesive Clear works to bond foam board among a wide array of materials, including cardboard, paper, and insulation, as well as metal, plastic, and wood.
  • 3M 90-24 Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive also bonds many materials, with a particular ability for adhering fabric and foam. Hands down, it is the best adhesive for adhering foam board to concrete.
• Wood glue or carpenter's glue: Both of these glues are excellent choices for foam board mounting. We particularly like Elmer’s E7330 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max. It is a versatile glue that adheres to most surfaces. Spread evenly on the surface to use and join together, put pressure, and leave to dry. It is non-toxic and cleans up easily with water.
• Hot glue: Before using hot glue on foam board, you’ll need to paint the foam with latex paint first. With hot glue, you’ll have to work as quickly as possible because hot glue cools quickly, leaving little time to make any positioning adjustments to your project.