Foam canvas boards are becoming increasingly popular among artists, photographers, and designers who want to balance professional presentation with practical convenience. Whether you are preparing for a show, packaging work for resale, or creating lightweight wall art, foam canvas boards can be a smart and efficient choice. Here’s what every artist should know before choosing them.

What Are Foam Canvas Boards?

Foam canvas boards combine the textured surface of a traditional canvas with the rigid backing of a foam core. The result is a lightweight, durable substrate that provides a professional look without the bulk of a stretcher frame. These are often used for mounted prints, signage, or compact gallery displays.

At The Stackhouse, our mounted prints use either white foam board or black Gatorfoam to create a sleek, ready-to-display finish. Both options maintain the archival quality of our giclée printing process while providing excellent rigidity for transport and display.

Benefits of Foam Canvas Boards

  • Lightweight yet durable: Easy to transport and hang, perfect for trade shows, markets, or art fairs.
  • Flat and stable surface: Prevents warping or sagging, ensuring your image stays perfectly aligned.
  • Professional presentation: Clean edges and a solid structure give your work a polished appearance.
  • Cost-effective: Typically less expensive than gallery-wrapped canvas or framed options.

When to Choose Foam Canvas Boards

Foam canvas boards are ideal for certain situations, but not for every use case. Here’s when they make the most sense:

  • When you need a lightweight display option for shipping or frequent transport.
  • For mounted art prints intended for flat hanging or framing under glass.
  • If you’re producing retail-ready prints that need a clean, rigid backing for display or sale.

They are less suitable for environments with high humidity or direct sunlight, as foam substrates can expand or contract slightly over time. For long-term archival display, consider gallery-wrapped canvas instead.

Foam Board vs. Gatorfoam

At The Stackhouse, we offer two types of rigid mount materials: foam board and Gatorfoam.

Feature Foam Board Gatorfoam
Material Polystyrene core with smooth paper surface Dense foam core with resin-impregnated wood-fiber surface
Durability Best for lightweight display or short-term use Highly durable and impact-resistant for long-term display
Finish Clean matte surface, ideal for framing Slightly textured, premium look for unframed display
Weight Extremely light Still lightweight but slightly denser and stronger

How to Display Foam Canvas Boards

Mounted prints on foam or Gatorfoam can be displayed in several ways:

  • Frame them: Place inside a standard frame for a refined, gallery-ready look.
  • Hang directly: Use command strips or mounting tape for clean, frame-free presentation.
  • Tabletop display: Smaller sizes can lean on easels or be part of art market setups.

If you plan to sell or gift your artwork, consider adding clear protective sleeves or retail-ready packaging to preserve quality during handling.

Ready to Elevate Your Presentation?

Foam-mounted prints offer a perfect mix of presentation quality and practicality. Order mounted prints today or request a free media sample set to compare paper and mounting options in person.