Foam boards are a great option for displaying photos, posters, and more, whether you want to mount a print or use it as backing for a picture frame. Foam board is incredibly lightweight, so it’s portable and much easier to transport than a mount made of plywood or other, more solid materials. This also means that foam board can hang from pushpins without the weight dragging them down and there maintain a professional look. It provides the additional advantage of being easy to cut, so it’s a simple task to trim it down in size or cut it into a unique shape for display purposes. Some people prefer to utilize foam boards to make scale models of buildings or as canvases to paint directly onto. Whether you use it for a presentation at work, a display at a conference, an art show, or in any other setting, foam board is a convenient supplemental material to have on hand.

What to Consider When Buying a Foam Board

Here are a few things to think about before purchasing your foam board:

• Size: Like poster board, foam board comes in several different widths and lengths, small and large. If you’re unsure of the exact size of foam board you’ll need, you’re safer going bigger; since it’s such an easy material to cut down to size.
• Color: While most foam board is white, there are several brands that make it in black as well, which may look more appealing against lighter colored photos or posters. Foam board isn’t really available in other colors, so if you’re looking for an option that isn’t black or white, feel free to wrap it in a fabric in the color or pattern of your choosing and glue it into place; foam board is compatible with most adhesives.
• Double-Sided: You may need to utilize both sides of your foam board, depending on the nature of your display. Most foam board out there will be double-sided, with the same texture on both sides, though not all. To be safe, if you’re looking for double-sided foam board, be sure that whichever brand you buy is explicitly marketed as such.

Top Choice: Elmer’s Acid-Free Foam Boards

Here are two 20-inch by 30-inch foam boards with a bright white finish meant to set off any color. Whether you draw your own artwork on these foam boards or mount posters or photographs on them, they’re guaranteed to look stunning by contrast. The smooth surface makes it that much easier to mount, glue, or otherwise attach any items to the board. The foam boards are acid-free to protect your photos and posters from discoloration, and the boards are also designed to resist humidity and other atmospheric pollutants to prevent deterioration. Not only will your photos and posters look great mounted on these foam boards, but they’ll be safe and secure as well.

Best Set: Arteza Double-Sided White Foam Boards

Premium white foam board that is light for transportation and setting up but firm and strong enough to hold steady for frames, signs, backdrops, presentations, and more. It’s also great for crafting, modeling, and other DIY projects. This set comes with 12 foam board sheets that are 20 inches by 30 inches and 1/5 of an inch thick. Even better, all 12 sheets are double-sided, so you’re essentially getting 24 foam boards in one, the best possible value for your money. Each foam sheet is laminated between two sheets of paper for a smooth surface perfect for paints, glues, markers, thumbtacks, and more.

Best Dark Board: Elmer’s Black Foam Boards

If you prefer or are searching for a darker foam board to mount your photos or posters, this pack of four black foam boards is an excellent option. Like its lighter-colored counterparts, this foam board is almost weightless, yet still durable and rigid, designed to be resistant to denting and crushing. The core easily bounces back after being cut or trimmed down and keeps the board uniform all-around, so you can cut it into whatever size or shape you need without worry. The boards are 11 inches by 14 inches in size, equally well suited for crafts and projects as for framing and mounting. The smooth surface is suitable for markers, paints, glues, and any other medium you may need to use for your projects.

Best Size Options: Excelsis Design Foam Boards

Whether you’re looking for foam boards that are larger or smaller than average, this set will have you covered. With seven different sizes available, you should have no trouble finding a sheet that is big or small enough for your purposes. And whichever size you pick, you will receive 15 sheets per set. These foam boards are also thicker than many of their counterparts, at 3/16 of an inch, giving them extra durability and strength. Made of high-grade material and painstakingly cut to the precise size, the foam boards are packaged with specialized corner protection so the corners won’t arrive dented or otherwise damaged. They’re also acid-free, so you won’t need to worry about them harming or corroding paper and other attached materials over time.