How to Work With Foam Boards

If there is one material that comes to our minds first when we think of our fancy craft projects or

a more serious and detailed artwork, or even our commercial uses such as making signs for retail

applications, foam boards will be it. The numerous uses of this easy-to-use and light weight

material have never fail to amaze us as every now and then people keep sharing their little new

innovations of working with foam boards online. This article is for such people, who want to ‘Do

It Themselves’ and are keen on learning the best ways to apply their unique ideas to make

something meaningful, useful, or beautiful (artworks).

Self-adhesive foam boards (they are also available without the adhesive) are a perfect choice for

cold mounting photos and artwork on to foam board. Here are a few techniques crafters and

artists recommend that you use when working with foam boards:

Cutting Foam Boards

Whenever you want to draw something out on foam boards, make sure it is done with a pencil.

Using a pen or a marker may smudge on the surface because ink takes some time to dry off. Pick

a sharp knife for cutting a foam board as the edges of may wear out if the blade is not sharp

enough. The best practice is to measure first the size of the piece you want to cut, to ensure that

the piece evens out well after cutting. To work on the piece with precision, lay a ruler along the

cut marks and cut along the edge of the ruler with the help of a sharp utility knife.

Gluing Foam Boards

Craft glues of all kinds are usually fit for application on foam boards. As the surface material of

foam boards is usually made of paper, all craft glues work well to bind the board. However, using

painter’s tape or a masking tape is ideal while gluing foam boards; they are safe as they can be

removed easily, later on, without leaving any marks the board.

Marking on Foam boards

Pens that use regular ink are not recommended as the ink will smear if it is not dried and comes

in contact with another surface. Therefore, quick-drying markers are a good choice for using in

foam boards. Most foam poster boards have a surface finish, which can make writing with ink

difficult. Oils and acrylic paints can also be used for applying on foam boards.

The handiest feature of foam boards is that they can be cut, glued and written or drawn on quite

conveniently depending on the purpose they are being used for. The fact that they resist warping

and are easy to cut and mark makes them a first choice of craftsmen and commercial workers

alike. Also, utilizing other materials for the same purposes would cost them much more than what

they spend on foam boards.