Flatbed Printing vs. Mounting Vinyl to Rigid Material: Which Gives Better Results?

Summary:

Flatbed printing is faster and more durable than vinyl-to-rigid because the ink bonds with the surface of the substrate itself rather than sitting on top of it. With vinyl, the design must be printed on a flexible film before applying it to the intended surface, which takes more time. Vinyl is available in matte, metallic, and glitter surfaces, but may crack or melt in high temperatures. Direct-to-substrate prints are more expensive, can only be used on smooth, flat surfaces, and sometimes develop banding.

Time to Read	7–9 minutes
What You’ll Learn	Flatbed Printing vs. Mounting Vinyl to Rigid Cost, quality, and durability concerns Pros and cons of each option Real-world applications and best uses
Next Steps	Order prints from Little Rock Use our free Canva templates

Designing and printing high-quality effective signs is much harder than most people realize. The shape, colors, lettering, and other features need to stand out in a crowd, represent your brand, and last long enough to have a positive impact on your bottom line.

Flatbed UV (a type of direct-to-substrate printing) and mounting vinyl to a rigid surface are two of the most popular printing options for signs in Canada. You can get excellent results from either one, but subtle differences in how they’re made can affect everything from the cost to the quality of the final print.

Let Little Rock’s printing experts walk you through the pros and cons, what sets them apart, and when you should choose one over the other in this guide.

Print Essentials

Print Banners, Posters & Signs

The Difference Between Flatbed vs. Vinyl-to-Rigid Printing

Flatbed UV printing and vinyl mounting both produce high-quality signs, but the techniques involved are different. Understanding those differences will help you choose the option that delivers the right balance of cost, durability, and visual impact for your project.

Flatbed UV printing sprays ink directly onto rigid surfaces like wood, acrylic, or metal, then cures it instantly with UV light to create a durable finish.

Vinyl mounting involves printing your design onto a sheet of vinyl and then applying that sheet onto a sturdy backing material like coroplast or foam board.

Essential Elements of Sign Printing

Cost, print quality, durability, and speed: these are the four pillars of service customers care about the most. Not everyone will weigh each one the same, but it’s a pretty safe bet to say that everyone likes getting timely service and good value for their money.

It makes sense to start with basics like these when you’re comparing two products side-by-side, but they won’t tell you the full story. Check the chart below to see the bigger picture:

Vinyl vs. Flatbed UV Printing: A Cost Comparison
Category	Vinyl Mounting	Flatbed UV (Direct-to-Substrate)
Cost (Estimated for a Typical Project)	$6–$12/sq. ft. (standard); $10+ (specialty)	$12.50–$14.40/sq. ft.
Special Features	Comes in many different finishes (matte, glitter, metallic)	Can also print on metals like aluminium or copper.
Visual Quality	Clear, crisp images suitable for art and photography	Gradients may sometimes band or become choppy
Outdoor Longevity	5–10 years with premium + laminate	2–3 years unlaminated; 5–8 years laminated

The Vinyl Printing Process

1. Print → A large-format roll printer lays solvent, latex, or UV inks directly onto vinyl.
2. Cure → Heat, fans, or UV lamps cure and harden the ink so it bonds to the surface.
3. Finish → The operator trims the vinyl to size and optionally laminates it for durability.
4. Pack & Ship → The piece is mounted and prepared for shipping (if required).

When to Choose Vinyl

Vinyl is the best option for graphics and full-color images on curved surfaces. It’s waterproof and easy to maintain (just run a damp cloth over it now and again).

Pros:

• Details carry over cleanly and clearly from high-res images
• One of the most budget-friendly options available on the market
• Lamination can extend the lifespan by over 5 years
• Compatible with lightboxes and backlighting

Cons:

• Might crack in the cold or soften in extreme heat. 
• Lifespan is 5–7 years outdoors in normal conditions.

The Flatbed UV Printing Process

1. Print →  A flatbed UV printer sprays UV ink directly onto a rigid material, like acrylic.
2. Cure → Built-in UV lamps cure the inks instantly, permanently bonding them to the surface.
3. Finish→ The operator trims the canvas to size and adds any necessary coatings or textures.
4. Pack & Ship → The finished board is packaged and shipped to the customer by mail or in-store.

When to Choose Flatbed Printing

Flatbed printing is best when speed and durability matter, or when you want to print directly onto a specific material that isn’t otherwise designed for art (like reclaimed wood).

Pros:

• Compatible with coroplast, sintra, styrene, wood, acrylic, aluminum and more
• Creates a tough surface that resists UV rays over time
• Ideal for special effects like textures, white ink, or varnishes
• Produces less waste than vinyl because of mounting + longer lifespan
• Faster turnaround since it doesn’t need to be mounted after

Cons:

• Limited flexibility
• Only really works on smooth, flat surfaces
• Lifespan is typically 2–8 years depending on whether you laminate.

Bring Your Vision to Life with Little Rock

Vinyl is flexible, reusable, and perfect for backlighting or curved surfaces. Flatbed printing is built for speed, durability, and direct-to-substrate jobs on wood, acrylic, metal, and more.

Not sure which one to choose? Contact the experts at Little Rock Printing and we’ll show how to set your first run up for success with our free Canva templates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flatbed & Vinyl Printing

What is Canva? Why should I use it?

Canva is a free, easy-to-use design platform that makes it simple to create professional graphics, presentations, or signs. With drag-and-drop tools, thousands of templates, and a huge library of fonts, photos, and icons, anyone can produce polished visuals in minutes.

Can I still laminate my flatbed/vinyl print?

Maybe. Vinyl can be laminated for additional protection from UV rays or cold weather. Flatbed prints don’t typically need lamination because the inks already form a durable layer on the surface. If desired, you can add a clear coat over them or varnish the surface to really bring out that high-gloss shine.

Can I reuse the board or sign?

With vinyl, you can peel it off and reapply a new design as often as you like. 

If a board has sentimental or historical value, you can try sanding it down and applying a few coats of white gesso or primer to the surface. Allow it to cure for 2 to 3 weeks before attempting a new print.

There’s no way to guarantee you’ll get good results from a project like this. 

How can I add backlighting?

Vinyl is the best choice for backlit signs, so start there first.

You can either install your sign on a lightbox frame or mount it over an LED panel so any light shines through the vinyl, which is semi-translucent. 

Flatbed prints can also work with backlighting, but only if they’re printed on a light-permeable material like acrylic or specialty plastics. LED strip lights or downward-facing sconces are another option. Don’t place prints anywhere near incandescent bulbs, overhead lights, or an open flame.