Looking for foam core board

February 7, 2007 9:15 PM

I'm looking for a source of cheap foam core board. Any suggestions?

I'm looking for foam core board that is black on one side and white on the other. I need it in 4 ft x 8 ft sheets. The two large art supplies stores in my area can't get it. I've looked online and I'm not able to find it.

In case you're wondering I need it to make v-flats for a photo studio.

posted by photoslob to shopping (11 answers total)

If all else fails, you could always buy a bunch of white/white foam core and mount black poster board on the other side with Super77 spray glue.
posted by idiotfactory at 9:34 PM on February 7, 2007

Google searches that seemed to get on the track of what you are looking for

here
here
here
posted by nanojath at 9:54 PM on February 7, 2007

you can get sticky backed foam core, then stick black paper on it. also you might get it super cheap if you get a bent or damaged piece
posted by joelf at 10:15 PM on February 7, 2007

Spray paint?
posted by trip and a half at 10:20 PM on February 7, 2007

Hey, are you a fellow strobist junkie?
I just made pvc frames 3x5 and put ripstop nylon on them from the fabric store. You can take it apart and shoot thru them, not to mention use them as reflectors.
posted by damiano99 at 10:41 PM on February 7, 2007

If you want to go the cheap route don't buy the black side/white side foamcore, that shit is much more expensive than standard foam core. You probably will still be spending a few hundred bucks for a pack of 4x8 size.

If you want the ultra cheap alternative go to the hardware store and get white styrofoam insulation board which comes in 4x8 sheets. You can get a flat black paint for plastics to paint one side black.
posted by JJ86 at 5:43 AM on February 8, 2007

try a home improvement sore, like home depot?
posted by lester's sock puppet at 7:00 AM on February 8, 2007

Spray paint?

Nah, spray paint can dissolve the foam in the center. Which is actually quite fun to do in and of itself, but not recommended for pieces of board you may actually want to keep.
posted by LionIndex at 7:05 AM on February 8, 2007

Here in San Francisco, the local film equipment supplier is
http://www.jcxex.com/
They ought to have it.
posted by asavage at 9:42 AM on February 8, 2007

LionIndex said: Nah, spray paint can dissolve the foam in the center. Which is actually quite fun to do in and of itself, but not recommended for pieces of board you may actually want to keep.

Actually Krylon now makes spray paints safe for plastics and styrofoam. They've been around for the last couple of years.
posted by JJ86 at 9:54 AM on February 8, 2007

Or you can coat the foam edges with shellac.
posted by Mitheral at 11:24 AM on February 8, 2007