The lightweight nature of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and its ability to take on various shapes make it ideal for creating a wide range of three-dimensional advertising elements - such as letters, signs, symbols, and logos.
Despite their volumetric appearance, these elements are technically flat contour shapes with a defined thickness, produced by cutting. To manufacture them, we need a 2D vector graphic file. For letters, simply specifying the font name is enough.
For more complex objects - such as
2.5D or 3D shapes - a 3D model file will be required.
The final look is achieved by applying a suitable coating - including decorative compounds, paints, or vinyl films. For outdoor use, it is essential to use materials intended for exterior applications, as EPS needs protection from ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Water-based acrylic latex paints (solvent-free) are highly recommended for a durable and vivid finish.
In some cases, depending on the specific item and how it will be used, extruded polystyrene (XPS) may be a suitable alternative to regular EPS. XPS shares the same base polymer but has a different structure and appearance. Unlike EPS, it is available only in sheet form, which limits the thickness of the finished product. It is best used when the surface texture remains visible after coating or painting.