You want to know: What does a choice of material cost, and which finish makes your sign more expensive? We make welcome signs for weddings and help couples choose within their budget. Here you can see how the price is structured and where you save.
Material drives the cost. Wood and Forex are the most affordable. Acrylic plexiglass is average in cost and has a clear appearance. Dibond aluminium is sturdy. Mirror acrylic is luxurious and more expensive. Size and thickness determine the price indication, just like a standard.
The finish determines the price. There is little difference between matte and gloss. Gold foil, silver foil, spot UV lacquer, relief, laser engraving, edge polishing, contour shapes, and drill holes add up. Rush orders and personal calligraphy do too. For example, plexiglass with gold foil costs more than wood with a matte print.
How much does a choice of material cost, and which finish makes your sign more expensive?
You want to know exactly what you are paying for your welcome sign and why one finish costs more than another. The core is simple: the material determines your base price, and the finish determines the additional costs. At Trouwbanners, you can see the price difference immediately per material and per finish, allowing you to make a targeted choice between affordable, mid-range, and premium without surprises.
Definition and brief history of the welcome sign
A wedding welcome sign is a stylish announcement board at the entrance or ceremony location featuring your names, the date, and often a theme that matches the wedding invitation. In the past, signs were primarily made of wood with hand-painted lettering. With modern printing on acrylic glass, aluminum composite, and foam board, the print is razor-sharp, weather-resistant, and lighter in weight. Color systems such as CMYK and Pantone ensure consistent colors, and finishes like gold foil and spot UV provide a luxurious glossy layer that was previously only seen in exclusive printing houses.
Which materials for a welcome sign and what do you pay
Material choice is your biggest cost factor. Below you will find the most commonly used options and the price impact compared to an entry-level PVC foam board.
- Cardboard or paper on a sheet: lowest entry price, suitable for indoors and short events, not water-resistant.
- PVC foam board, also known as Forex: light and affordable, great for indoors and temporarily outdoors, matte or satin look.
- Wood MDF or birch plywood: natural appearance, slightly heavier, often requires a protective layer against moisture.
- Acrylic glass also called plexiglass or PMMA: high gloss and crystal clear, premium appearance, edge polishing and thickness increase the price.
- Aluminum composite, also known as Dibond: rigid plate with metal look, durable exterior, mid to premium price segment.
- Rollup banners: textile or PVC in cassette, ideal for entrances, includes carrying bag and space-saving, favorable price per size such as 85 cm by 200 cm or 100 cm by 200 cm.
Find your perfect welcome banner
Choose your style. We will first show the best designs that suit your wedding. Then you can view all the designs.
What is the theme of your wedding?
Which color theme?
These banners match your choices
Didn't find anything? You can always have a banner designed to your liking.
View our design serviceAs a general rule, assume that wood and aluminium composite are approximately ten to thirty percent more expensive than foam board, and acrylic glass is about twenty to fifty percent more expensive due to material and finish such as polishing. A rollup banner has a complete set price including material and cassette, which is often competitive for large formats.
Finishes that increase or decrease the price
The finish makes your sign unique but also affects the price. Choose consciously what you really need.
- UV print or latex print: included as standard, high color saturation and instant drying, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- Matt or gloss laminate: protects against scratches and dirt, small extra charge, recommended for frequent transport.
- Spot UV: glossy accent on names or date, clear luxury upgrade with a noticeable surcharge.
- Gold or silver foil printing: metallic sheen for a premium look, expensive due to extra production step and material.
- Laser engraving on wood or acrylic: tactile look, extra time, and setup work increase the price.
- Rounded corners and drill holes with spacers: small to medium surcharge due to finishing and stainless steel mounting material.
- Edge polishing on acrylic glass: crystal-clear edges, premium look, noticeable extra cost.
- Nano coating or anti-scratch coating: extends lifespan outdoors, strategic upgrade for changing weather.
Step-by-step, this is how you calculate the total costs
- Choose your application: inside, outside, or entrance, for example a rollup at the reception or a sign on an easel at the ceremony.
- Determine your size: standard sizes are more economical, large sizes require more material and have a longer printing time.
- Select the material: compare weight, sturdiness, weather resistance, and appearance with your budget.
- Add finishing: choose only what gives you visible value, such as matte laminate to prevent reflection or spot UV on the names.
- Include assemblyStandards, spacers, or a cassette for roll-up affect the total price.
- Check delivery time: rush production and fast delivery may incur a surcharge; regular delivery is more economical.
Common combinations with price impact
- Budget within: foam board with UV print and matte laminate, lightweight, competitively priced and looks great in photos.
- Premium entrance: acrylic glass with edge polishing, spot UV on names and stainless steel spacers, luxurious and timeless.
- Sustainable outdoors: aluminium composite with gloss laminate and rounded corners, weather-resistant and sturdy.
- Mobile and space-saving: rollup banner with carrying bag, ideal for reception and easy to transport.
- Natural look: birch plywood with laser engraving, warm appearance, finish with oil or varnish to protect against moisture.
- Metallic accents: foam board with gold foil on title, visible difference with small surface area of โโfoil.
- Color consistency: color matching via Pantone or RAL for corporate identity, minimal additional cost and maximum recognition.
- Extra protection: nano coating for extensive outdoor use, increases lifespan and preserves color.
Practical choices by location and weather
For outdoor locations, it is better to choose aluminum composite with laminate or acrylic glass with protection against UV light and scratches. Indoor locations offer space for wood or foam board without heavy coatings. In changeable weather, mounting options such as drill holes with spacers or a stable easel are helpful. Adhesive solutions such as mounting tape or strips are convenient on glass or tiles and save time on site.
Sizes, service, and benefits at Wedding Banners
You can easily personalize your welcome sign online with your own text, names, date, logo, or photo. Choose from various sizes, including large variants such as 85 cm by 200 cm and 100 cm by 200 cm. You benefit from free shipping, delivery within Europe, fast delivery, payment after delivery, high-quality printing, and a sleek finish. Designing is quick in the online editor with many exclusive designs in the style of the wedding invitation or a complete wedding stationery set, and your sign is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, making it weather-resistant. If you want to see immediately how material choice and finish affect the price, View all designs now and put together your welcome sign. For a complete cost overview with a clear price breakdown, you can also visit price and cost of a welcome signIf you are looking for something distinctly luxurious with gold foil or spot UV, discover our premium welcome signs, and if you want the look to seamlessly fit your setting, get inspired by styles and themes for welcome signs.
How to choose smartly without paying too much
Start with the purpose and location. If you place your sign outdoors and plan to use it for multiple occasions, a durable material with a protective coating will quickly pay for itself. If your primary goal is a photo opportunity and the sign is indoors, foam board with matte laminate is a sharp choice. Limit luxury finishes to the area where you want the most impact, such as gloss accents on the names. And choose standard sizes for the best price per square meter. This way, you make a choice that looks fantastic, fits your budget, and effortlessly complements the rest of your decorations.
Frequently asked questions
1. What does a choice of material cost, and which finish makes your sign more expensive?
The base price of a welcome sign depends primarily on the material. Indicative price per piece in the Netherlands for a popular size of around 60 x 90 cm including UV print: Forex PVC 5 mm approximately 35 to 55 euros (affordable and lightweight); wood such as birch plywood 6 to 9 mm approximately 60 to 110 euros (warm and sturdy); aluminium composite, also known as Dibond from 3A Composites, 3 mm approximately 80 to 120 euros (sleek and durable); acrylic plexiglass 3 to 5 mm approximately 90 to 160 euros (luxurious and glossy); tempered glass approximately 150 to 300 euros (very premium but heavier and more fragile during transport).
Finishes then determine the largest part of the additional cost. Matte or gloss laminate (approximately 10 to 25 euros) protects against scratches. Metallic foil in gold, silver, or rose gold for names and details (approximately 20 to 60 euros) adds extra flair. Spot UV or relief varnish (approximately 25 to 60 euros) makes parts shine or stand out noticeably. Contour-milled shape (approximately 20 to 50 euros), 3D letters in wood or acrylic (approximately 40 to 120 euros), polished acrylic edges (approximately 10 to 30 euros), and drill holes with hanging kit (approximately 5 to 20 euros). At Trouwbanners, we advise you to combine wisely so that appearance and budget remain in balance.
2. What is the price difference between wood, acrylic, Dibond, and Forex at 60 x 90 cm?
For a popular 60 x 90 cm size, you can roughly count on these price ranges in the Netherlands. 5 mm Forex PVC often ranges between 40 and 55 euros and is ideal for a budget-friendly option. 9 mm birch plywood ranges between 70 and 110 euros and has a handcrafted feel. 3 mm Dibond aluminium composite costs an average of 80 to 120 euros and provides a very sleek look with high dimensional stability. 5 mm acrylic is usually between 110 and 160 euros, featuring a glass-like sheen and a sense of depth.
The difference is reflected in stiffness, premium appearance, and lifespan. Dibond is dimensionally stable and suitable for outdoor use, acrylic provides the most luxurious depth effect, wood has character, and Forex is the lightest and cheapest. If you choose a base without expensive finishing at Trouwbanners, Forex or wood remains affordable. If you opt for a glossy statement with polished edges, acrylic looks the best. Request a custom quote if you want to compare exact thicknesses and finishing options.
3. Which luxury finishes really make your welcome sign more expensive and when are they worth it?
The biggest price drivers are effects involving extra material or multiple printing passes. Metallic foil in gold, silver, or rose gold typically adds 20 to 60 euros, depending on the foil deck and size. Spot UV or 3D varnish often ranges between 25 and 60 euros and has a strong effect on dark backgrounds or minimalist designs. Applied 3D letters in wood or acrylic start around 40 euros and can rise to 120 euros for big names and bold letters.
Shape and edge finish also matter. Contour milling into an arc or organic shape often costs 20 to 50 euros. Edge polishing on acrylic adds 10 to 30 euros and creates that crystal-clear edge you see on Pinterest. These upgrades are most worthwhile if you have a clean design focusing on names and the date, or when you want to match a luxury setting such as a boutique venue. Trouwbanners helps you choose which add-ons have the most impact for your style.
4. How to save on materials and finishing without compromising on appearance
Choose a smart base and save in the right places. Dibond with matte laminate looks modern and sleek for less than acrylic and stays super flat. Forex with matte laminate is a budget winner that looks great in photos, especially indoors. Keep metallic foil compact on the names and use a high-contrast UV print for the rest instead of foil everywhere. Single-sided printing is often 30 to 60 euros cheaper than double-sided.
Steer your design towards cost savings. Work with a standard format to minimize cutting waste. Use contours sparingly or opt for rounded corners instead of a complex shape. Choose a universal wooden easel instead of a luxury stand and choose drilled holes with an invisible hanging kit if the location allows. Allow ample lead time, as rush surcharges can range from 10 to 25 percent. At Trouwbanners, you bundle a proof, print, and finishing for a package discount.
5. What additional costs come into play, such as installation delivery time, and how do you compare quotes fairly?
In addition to material and finish, service charges influence the final price. Rush production and express shipping can add a combined surcharge of 10 to 30 percent. A design service or the preparation of foil and spot UV layers often costs a fixed amount or hourly rate. Mounting options such as drill holes, a hanging kit, an easel, or a transparent stand usually add 5 to 40 euros. Always ask if a proof and color check are included, especially for acrylic and metallic foils.
Compare quotes like apples to apples. Note material type and thickness, size in cm, printing technique (UV print or latex), finish (matte or gloss laminate), extra effects such as foil or spot UV, contour or straight cut, mounting kit, design hours, and delivery time. Check warranty, damage policy, and packaging quality, especially for glass and acrylic. At Trouwbanners, you receive a detailed quote with clear options so you can see exactly where the added value lies and where you might be able to save.
