A2 Sign Board Printing
A2 sign board printing gives you a highly visible 420 × 594 mm (16.5 × 23.4 inches) rigid panel with enough space for bold headlines, promotional images, directional arrows and supporting information without moving into the much larger footprint of A1.
An A2 board covers approximately 2.69 sq ft. That is twice the area of A3 and four times the area of A4, making A2 particularly useful when the sign needs to attract attention from beyond immediate reading distance while still fitting comfortably on walls, doors, counters, exhibition stands and retail display areas.
Printed Today produces A2 boards in four materials: 5 mm Foamex PVC, 3 mm ACP/Dibond aluminium composite, 4 mm Correx and 5 mm KT Soft Board. The finished dimensions remain identical across all four materials; what changes is rigidity, weight, outdoor suitability, expected lifespan and cost.
Every A2 printed sign board is direct UV printed in-house at Printed Today’s UK facility. UV ink cures instantly as it reaches the substrate, producing sharp detail, dense colour and a durable printed finish. The same process also allows both faces of a single board to be printed directly, so double-sided A2 signs retain the same physical thickness as single-sided versions.
What Size Is an A2 Sign Board?
A finished A2 board measures:
| Measurement |
A2 Dimensions |
| Millimetres |
420 × 594 mm |
| Centimetres |
42 × 59.4 cm |
| Inches |
16.5 × 23.4 in |
| Approximate area |
2.69 sq ft |
A2 can be printed in either orientation:
- Portrait — 420 mm wide × 594 mm high.
- Landscape — 594 mm wide × 420 mm high.
Portrait works particularly well for promotional posters, menus, safety notices, exhibition information and branded displays. Landscape is often better for directional signs, entrance information, wide promotional messages and boards mounted above counters or doorways.
Because A2 provides four times the printable area of A4, it gives the design considerably more room for visual hierarchy. Large headings can be read first, with supporting copy, QR codes, prices or specifications becoming readable as the viewer moves closer.
Where Does A2 Sign Board Printing Work Best?
A2 works particularly well where a sign needs stronger presence than A3 but the installation does not justify the larger physical scale of A1.
Typical applications include:
- Retail promotions — seasonal campaigns, new products, prices and special offers.
- Restaurant and hospitality signage — menus, service information, offers and ordering instructions.
- Directional signage — entrances, exits, registration points and venue wayfinding.
- Safety signage — prominent warnings, mandatory instructions and workplace notices.
- Event signage — schedules, directions, registration information and branded panels.
- Exhibition graphics — product information, presentation panels and promotional displays.
- Reception signage — visitor guidance, branded information and check-in instructions.
- Property signage — access information, temporary commercial notices and development messaging.
- Construction signage — contractor notices, hazard information and site directions.
A2 is especially useful where the viewer may first notice the board from several metres away and then approach it for more detailed information.
Which Material Is Best for an A2 Sign Board?
At A2, material selection starts to affect handling and installation more noticeably than it does at A4 or A3. Choose according to where the board will live, how long it must last and how it will be mounted.
A2 Foamex Board Printing — The General-Purpose Choice
A2 Foamex board printing is the most versatile specification for retail, commercial, hospitality and general-purpose A2 signage.
Foamex is 5 mm rigid expanded PVC with a smooth, solid, non-porous surface. Unlike paper-faced foam board, it is a self-supporting plastic panel that resists moisture and holds its shape well.
At A2, Foamex gives enough rigidity for a substantial wall or display panel while remaining relatively light.
Its smooth printing face reproduces:
- Large promotional photography
- Small supporting text
- Logos
- QR codes
- Prices
- Gradients
- Brand colours
- Charts and diagrams
A2 Foamex is particularly suitable for retail POS, menus, reception displays, exhibitions, wayfinding, safety notices and indoor promotional signage.
It can also be used outdoors for short-to-medium-term applications. Add lamination where additional weather, UV or cleaning protection is desirable.
A2 Dibond Printing — For Permanent Exterior Signage
Choose A2 Dibond printing where the sign is intended to remain outdoors for years.
Printed Today’s 3 mm aluminium composite panel consists of two aluminium skins bonded around a solid polyethylene core. This gives an A2 panel very high rigidity and strong resistance to moisture, heat-related movement and long-term weather exposure.
A2 Dibond is particularly suited to:
- Permanent building notices
- Commercial premises signs
- Exterior safety signage
- Property management boards
- Industrial identification
- Permanent directional signs
- Entrance and access information
- Development signage
Its smooth aluminium face also provides excellent print definition, which is useful where the A2 artwork combines distance-read headings with detailed information viewed at closer range.
For fixed outdoor installation, four-corner drill holes are normally the strongest straightforward option.
A2 Correx Board Printing — Temporary Signage at Low Cost
A2 Correx board printing is a practical choice for temporary signs, construction work, events and larger-volume campaigns.
Correx is 4 mm fluted polypropylene. Its hollow internal structure keeps the board extremely light while the plastic remains waterproof.
At A2, those characteristics are particularly useful because the panel is large enough to be noticed but still easy to distribute and install in quantity.
Typical uses include:
- Construction site notices
- Temporary directional signs
- Event and festival signage
- Contractor information
- Campaign signs
- Property notices
- Temporary parking instructions
- Warehouse and operational signage
The fluted surface is less refined than Foamex or Dibond, so bold typography, clear arrows and strong contrast normally produce the best result.
For exterior A2 Correx, four-corner fixing is preferable because the larger panel gives wind more leverage than an A4 or A3 board.
A2 KT Soft Board Printing — Lightweight Indoor Display
A2 soft board printing is designed for indoor display applications where a generous graphic area is required without unnecessary weight.
KT Soft Board combines a lightweight foam core with smooth outer liners. Even at A2, the panel remains very easy to carry, reposition and mount.
It works particularly well for:
- Exhibition graphics
- Conference displays
- Presentation boards
- Retail POS
- Mounted photography
- Event information
- Temporary indoor promotions
- Presentation graphics
KT Soft Board is indoor only. Moisture can cause the outer liners and foam core to warp or delaminate, so choose Foamex, Correx or Dibond wherever exterior exposure is possible.
A2 Sign Board Materials Compared
| Material |
Thickness |
Best A2 Application |
Outdoor Suitability |
Rigidity |
| Foamex PVC |
5 mm |
Retail, menus, exhibitions and general signage |
Short to medium term |
High |
| ACP / Dibond |
3 mm |
Permanent exterior signage |
Excellent |
Very high |
| Correx |
4 mm |
Temporary, construction and event signage |
Good for short-term use |
Low to medium |
| KT Soft Board |
5 mm |
Portable indoor display graphics |
Not suitable |
Medium |
A2 vs A3 Sign Board Printing
A2 provides twice the printable area of A3.
Choose A2 instead of A3 when:
- The headline needs to be recognised from further away
- The board needs greater promotional impact
- Directional arrows or prices need to be larger
- The design contains more supporting information
- The sign must compete visually with surrounding displays
- The installation space comfortably accommodates the larger panel
A3 remains preferable for tighter spaces and information viewed primarily at close range.
A2 vs A1 Sign Board Printing
A1 provides twice the printable area of A2.
A2 is usually the better choice when strong visibility is needed without giving over a large section of wall, shop window or exhibition space to one sign.
Move up to A1 where:
- The sign will be read from significantly further away
- The headline needs much greater scale
- The artwork depends heavily on large photography
- The surrounding area is physically large
- The board needs to become a dominant feature rather than supporting signage
For many retail, hospitality, office, exhibition and event applications, A2 provides a useful balance between impact and manageable physical size.
A2 Sign Board Printing Prices
One A2 board covers approximately 2.69 sq ft.
For a single board on standard 5-working-day delivery, single-sided and without lamination, Printed Today’s current reference prices are:
| Material |
A2 Size |
Approx. Area |
Reference Price |
| Correx 4 mm |
420 × 594 mm |
2.69 sq ft |
£9.33 |
| KT Soft Board 5 mm |
420 × 594 mm |
2.69 sq ft |
£8.31 |
| Foamex PVC 5 mm |
420 × 594 mm |
2.69 sq ft |
£16.65 |
| ACP / Dibond 3 mm |
420 × 594 mm |
2.69 sq ft |
£29.94 |
These figures are reference points for comparing substrates. Quantity, double-sided printing, lamination, fixing options and faster delivery services can alter the final total.
How Quantity Pricing Works for A2 Boards
There is no minimum order.
Each A2 board contributes approximately 2.69 sq ft to the total order area, so even relatively modest quantities move quickly into larger pricing bands.
| Quantity |
Approx. Total Area |
| 1 |
2.69 sq ft |
| 5 |
13.45 sq ft |
| 10 |
26.90 sq ft |
| 25 |
67.25 sq ft |
| 50 |
134.50 sq ft |
| 100 |
269.00 sq ft |
Printed Today prices according to the combined square footage of the order, so producing a known requirement together can be considerably more economical than splitting the same boards across several smaller jobs.
Different A2 designs can also be included within the same order. Clearly label each artwork file and state the quantity required for each version.
Single-Sided or Double-Sided A2 Signs?
Choose the print configuration according to how the sign will be viewed.
- Single-sided A2 printing — ideal for walls, windows, hoardings, fences, frames and other installations where the reverse is hidden.
- Double-sided A2 printing — suitable for suspended, projecting and freestanding signage that can be approached from more than one direction.
Printed Today UV prints both faces directly onto one sheet, so a double-sided A2 board remains the same physical thickness as the equivalent single-sided panel.
Each face can also carry different artwork, which is particularly useful for directional signage.
How Should an A2 Sign Board Be Fixed?
At 420 × 594 mm, fixing becomes more important than on smaller A4 and A3 boards because the larger panel presents more surface area to movement and wind.
Drill Holes
Choose drill holes where screws or bolts will secure the board against a solid structure.
- No drill holes — for frames, adhesive mounting or custom fixing positions.
- Top drill holes — suitable for sheltered hanging applications.
- Four-corner drill holes — the stronger option for permanent wall, timber, metal or exterior mounting.
Eyelets
Eyelets create reinforced fixing points for cable ties, cord, hooks or similar fittings.
- Top eyelets — suitable for indoor or sheltered hanging signs.
- Four-corner eyelets — preferable for boards attached to fencing, barriers or temporary structures.
For an exterior A2 Correx sign, four-corner fixing is strongly preferable to hanging the panel from its top edge alone.
Matt or Gloss Lamination for A2 Signs
Lamination is optional on all four materials.
- Matt lamination reduces reflections from windows, exhibition lighting and overhead lights. It is particularly useful for menus, safety information, schedules and text-heavy A2 panels.
- Gloss lamination increases colour saturation and contrast, helping promotional images and brand colours stand out more strongly.
- No lamination remains suitable for many temporary indoor signs where extra protection is unnecessary.
For outdoor Foamex and Dibond signage, lamination also adds an additional protective layer over the direct UV print.
Artwork Specifications for A2 Sign Board Printing
Prepare portrait artwork at 420 × 594 mm or landscape artwork at 594 × 420 mm.
| Specification |
A2 Requirement |
| Finished size |
420 × 594 mm |
| Resolution |
150–300 dpi at final print size |
| Bleed |
3–5 mm on all sides |
| Colour mode |
CMYK preferred, RGB accepted |
| Preferred formats |
PDF, AI, EPS |
| Also accepted |
PSD, PNG, JPEG, TIFF |
| Fonts |
Outlined or converted to curves |
A2 artwork should work at two viewing distances.
The headline, image, price or directional instruction should be recognisable before the viewer reaches the board. Secondary information can then become readable at closer range.
Use the additional A2 space to improve typography, image scale and spacing rather than filling every available area with extra text.
Printed Today’s pre-press team checks every file manually before production and contacts you if dimensions, bleed, resolution or colour setup need correcting.
No Finished A2 Artwork? You Can Still Order
Choose the artwork status that matches your job:
- Print-ready artwork — upload the finished A2 file at checkout.
- Artwork to follow — place the order now and supply the final file later.
- Existing design needs adjustment — Printed Today can resize artwork, add bleed, correct resolution and adapt an existing design to A2.
- Design support required — send the wording, logo, brand colours, images and design direction and the in-house team can create the artwork free of charge.
If one campaign requires A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0 boards, each format can be adjusted individually so text sizes, spacing and image proportions remain appropriate rather than simply enlarging one master layout.
A2 Sign Board Delivery Options
Production turnaround begins from artwork approval.
- Standard — 5 working days — base-rate production for planned signage.
- 72-hour — three working days from approval.
- 48-hour — two working days from approval.
- 24-hour — express production for urgent jobs.
- Same-day collection — available from Bolton or London for qualifying orders, subject to current production capacity.
Each A2 board covers approximately 2.69 sq ft. Printed Today’s same-day collection service applies to qualifying orders up to 64 sq ft, but availability varies with daily production load and should be confirmed before relying on it.
How to Order an A2 Printed Sign Board
- Select your board material — Foamex PVC, ACP/Dibond, Correx or KT Soft Board.
- Use A2 dimensions — 420 × 594 mm.
- Choose portrait or landscape artwork.
- Enter your quantity.
- Select single- or double-sided printing.
- Choose no lamination, matt or gloss.
- Add eyelets or drill holes if required.
- Select the turnaround.
- Upload artwork or choose your artwork status.
- Review the live specification and place the order.
Why Order A2 Sign Boards From Printed Today?
Printed Today produces Foamex, Correx, Dibond and KT Soft Board in-house at its UK facility using direct UV printing.
A2 benefits particularly from this process because the sign often needs to work both as a distance-read display and a detailed information panel. Large graphics and headlines need strong colour, while smaller copy, logos and QR codes must remain clean once somebody approaches.
Producing all four substrates through the same workflow also allows Printed Today to recommend the board that matches the actual application rather than automatically steering every job toward the premium option.
Need Help Choosing an A2 Sign Board?
If A2 is the right size but you are unsure which material, fixing method or lamination option to choose, contact Printed Today before ordering.
- Telephone: 0208 077 1994 — 8am–12am weekdays, 11am–7pm weekends.
- Live chat — 8am–10pm daily.
- Email: [email protected]
Tell the team where the A2 sign will be installed, how long it needs to remain there, whether it will be exposed to weather and how it will be fixed. Those details normally identify the correct material and finishing specification quickly.
