PALBOARD® TERRA
Environmentally friendly display substrate

Carbon negative PVC composite panel

PALBOARD Terra is an ecological alternative to conventional sign & display substrates. It is the world’s first PVC composite panel with a negative carbon footprint. Using recycled PVC and innovative UBQ™ material, its manufacturing process eliminates more CO2 than it emits. UBQ™ is the only material upcycled from 100% unsorted household waste diverted from landfills. Palram effectively utilizes waste material, and turns it into a sustainable product. PALBOARD Terra is engineered for wide-format printing and mechanical fabrication, making it easy for designers and printers to accomplish sustainability goals.

Benefits

PALBOARD Terra carbon negative PVC panel combines a solid surface with a foam core made with upcycled waste

Negative carbon emissions

Lightweight

Easy processing

High print quality

Water resistance

Chemical resistance

Applications

Uniform surface for high quality printing. Foam core for structural stability. Ready for printing, cutting, and V-grooving.
  • Digital and screen printing

  • POP and retail displays

  • Routed images & lettering

  • Advertising signage

  • Exhibition booth and display

  • Shop fitting

  • Shelving and organizational storage

UBQ Materials

Climate tech developer of advanced materials made from organic and unrecyclable waste.

Providing a sustainable substitute to plastic.

FAQ

Show FAQs
How to Store PVC Sheets?
+
PVC sheets are durable and chemically resistant and guaranteed to last for many years if handled properly.
Here are some tips for storing PVC sheets to ensure you get the most out of your investment.
Store your PVC sheets horizontally on a flat surface, such as a pallet or a shelf. 
Ensure that no nails or bolts protrude from the platform. Even small rocks can leave permanent dents and scratches on the sheets.
Stack the largest sheets at the bottom, and the shorter, smaller panels on top.
Avoid stepping on PVC panels and placing heavy or sharp equipment on them.
Ensure that the PVC sheets are stored in a dry, ventilated, cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight.
Do not stack transparent or translucent sheets over opaque PVC sheets.
Avoid covering the sheets with dark films or other heat-absorbing materials.
Cover the panels with an opaque, bright, waterproof cover if you intend to leave them outdoors. 
Keep your stack dry to prevent whitening and water spots.
How to cut PVC foam or PVC multilayered sheet?
+
PALBOARD and PALIGHT sheets up to 3 mm thick can be cut with a utility knife or blade.
A jigsaw with rough-cut blades designed for plastics can also be used. Smooth metal cutting blades are not recommended.
Another manual option is table top or vertical cutters. In such cases, it is recommended using cutters with twin wheel head blades suitable for cutting ACP (Aluminum Composite Panel).
For industrial volumes, use a bridge saw or a circular table saw.
Saw blade specifications, clearance angle, and detailed information are available in the Product Fabrication Guide in the downloads section.
What drill bit do you use for PVC foam or for PVC multilayered sheet?
+
PALIGHT and PALBOARD can be drilled with carbide-tipped bits using metal twist drills.
The following settings are recommended:
Point angle: between 90° and 110°
Spiral angle: 30°
Cutting speed: 1000 – 3000 RPM
Feed rate: 0.2 – 0.5 mm / revolution
The minimum distance from the edge should be 2 times the hole diameter.
To reduce heat build up when drilling thick gauge sheets, it may be necessary to periodically remove the drill bit from the material.
Can PVC foam sheets and PALBOARD panels be routed?
+
PALBOARD and PALIGHT sheets can be routed using multi-fluted carbide tools on standard woodworking routers. Standard tools and machines can be used without altering equipment. Adjust feed and speed rates as needed to achieve the most precise edge finish.
Using standard milling machines, follow these guidelines:
Relief angle: 5° to 10°
Rake angle: -10° to 0°
Cutting speed: up to 18,000 RPM
Cutting feed: 0.3-0.5 mm / revolution
How to make a V-groove in PALBOARD?
+
V-grooving PALBOARD is an excellent method that helps industrial designers turn a 2D panel into a 3D object.
For V Groove Milling\Routing, use a machine bit designed for bending applications. Such bits offer top angles of 90°, 120° or 135°.
A 90° bit produces rectangular bends with almost no gaps.
120° or 135° rounded tip bits produce acute angled bending of up to 90° with approx. 2 mm gap between the sides.
Make sure not to route through the PALBOARD panel. Leave 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm, so you can benifit from the structural strength of this matrial.
Are PALIGHT and PALBOARD sheets suitable for outdoor use?
+

Yes, both PALIGHT foamed PVC sheets and PALBOARD multylayered sheets are suitable for outdoor use. However, it’s essential to select the appropriate thickness and grade for prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and heat.

How to heat-bend PVC sheets?
+
PVC sheets such as PALIGHT, PALABOARD, PALCLEAR and PALOPAQUE, can be bent with Calrods, radiant heaters, strip heaters or air-circulated ovens. Heat guns can also be used in small areas.
To ensure successful results, a thermostat should be employed to regulate the sheet temperature so that the surface temperature does not exceed allowed limits.
When using a metal contact strip heater, cover the heater strip with Teflon spray to prevent marking the sheets.
Different sizes of rectangular heating bars can be applied to produce bends of different radius. The larger the heated area of the sheet, the broader the radius can be created.
When heat-bending PVC sheets at a gauge thicker than 4 mm, the sheet should be warmed from both sides.
PVC sheets require heating approximately 30 to 40 seconds per millimeter prior to being bent.
To form tighter bends with smaller radii, use a small heated area on the upper surface (inside the bend) of the sheet and a larger heated area on the bottom surface (on the outside of the bend) of the sheet.
A minimum radius of twice the sheet thickness is necessary to avoid breakage.
When bending PVC sheets into an angle, the extension of the sheet on either side of the angle should be at least 20 times the panel thickness.
Once heat-bent, place the panel to cool down in a fixture, such as a jig or clamp. Fans and/or compressed air will speed up cooling. For detailed guidance, look up the Product Fabrication Guide in the Downloads section.
How to paint PVC sheets?
+
There are a variety of paints that can be used on PVC sheets.
Some examples of suitable paints include vinyl, acrylic lacquers, and two-part polyurethanes.
Before painting, the sheet’s surface must be dry, clean, and grease-free.
When applying dark color paint to PVC sheets intended for outdoor use, it is imperative that the paint has a light reflectance value of 55 or higher in order to avoid excessive heat absorption, which will result in deformation.
For further information, download the Product Fabrication Guide in the PALIGHT Downloads section.
How to screen print on PVC sheets?
+
Screen printing on PVC sheets is simple.
It is recommended to consult the ink manufacturer regarding required ink additives for proper adhesion. In addition, it is recommended to test screen printing inks before production begins.
Before screen printing, the sheet’s surface should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and a clean white cloth.
To remove small scratches or dents, fan a heat gun over the affected area. However, do not overheat, to avoid surface deformation.
After printing is completed, screen printing ink should air dry, rather than heat dry.
For further information, download the Product Fabrication Guide in the PALIGHT Downloads section.
Is PVC suitable for UV printing / UV curing?
+
PVC is a good substrate for UV inks.
Wide format and flatbed printers employ various ink and ink curing technologies to allow high quality printing at high speeds.
PALIGHT is suitable for use with UV curing and solvent-based digital inks, and for IR drying when water-based inks are required. It retains superb whiteness, even after intense UV curing.
UV Screen Printing Inks also work well on PVC. The most critical factor to consider when using UV systems is the curing oven. Low-wattage bulbs should be used to keep temperatures below 65°C. UV curing systems with variable speed conveyors are ideal.
How to laminate PVC sheets?
+
Depending upon the type of application and the equipment available, the techniques recommended for lamination of PALBOARD multilayered panels or PALIGHT foam PVC are cold press using adhesive-backed paper, cold vacuum press, hand laminating with transfer adhesive, and using spray adhesive.
None of these processes involve heat. Because PVC may warp at temperatures above 65°C or when heated from one side only.
For ideal results, the sheet should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, and allowed to dry, prior to adhesion. When laminating with pressure-sensitive adhesives, a force of 25–40 psi is required. Proper spacers are also critical. Because force must be applied equally across the material.
For further information, download the Product Fabrication Guide in the downloads section.
Are PVC sheets water-resistant and chemical-resistant?
+

Yes, PVC sheets are highly resistant to moisture and chemicals. They can withstand rain and repeated cleaning without warping or cracking.

Are PVC sheets recyclable?
+
All of Palram’s PVC sheets are REACH and RoHS compliant, and are 100% recyclable.
Depending on local regulations and facilities, recycling options may vary. It is possible to recycle PVC sheets mechanically or chemically.
Because of its recyclable properties, it can be reformed into new products.
While minimising environmental impact, this increases the product’s life cycle and reduces waste.
How to store flat plastic sheets?
+
Flat plastic sheets, either solid or foamed, should be transported and stored horizontally, on a flat, sturdy pallet whose dimensions are equal or larger than the largest of the sheets.
The sheets should be secured to the pallet during transportation and on-site handling.
It is recommended to stack the sheets with the longer sheets at the bottom and the shorter on top, leaving no unsupported overhang. 
Palram’s products leave the factory in packages, wrapped in white, watertight film. The wrapping should be removed as close to use as possible.
Avoid leaving sheets stored unwrapped. Dirt may accumulate on the sheets and/or their edges, attracted by electrostatic charges in the sheets
Sheets should be stored in a covered, dry, ventilated place away from direct sunlight. 
If storing sheets temporarily in an open area, cover the entire pallet with a white opaque film, sheet, cardboard or any other protective material.