Digicol® — The sustainable alternative to PVC foamboard
Rigid, bright-white, 100% paper-based board for signage, displays and structural applications.
PVC-free signage without compromise
Digicol® is a paper-based board designed to replace PVC foamboard in indoor and short-term outdoor signage.
It offers exceptional flatness, bright-white print quality and clean cutting performance — while being fully recyclable in the standard paper stream.
Designed for printers, retailers and brands
With increasing demand for PVC-free materials and rising sustainability regulations, Digicol® gives print service providers a high-performing, FSC®-certified substrate that meets both technical and environmental expectations.
It stays flat, resists static, and integrates seamlessly into UV and Latex production workflows.
Sustainable alternative to PVC
100% paper. Fully recyclable.
Digicol® replaces PVC foamboard with a rigid, paper-based construction that is FSC® certified, compliant with upcoming European regulations and fully recyclable in the standard paper stream.
Stays flat
Dimensional stability
Engineered to stay flat even under temperature and humidity fluctuations — solving a major frustration with existing boards.
Bright white
High visual impact
A clean, bright-white printing surface enhances colour vibrancy and detail for indoor signage and displays.
Easy to cut & finish
Score, fold, V-groove
Digicol® performs cleanly on contour cutting, scoring, folding and V-grooving — ideal for displays and structural pieces.
PVC-free & static-free
Reliable print behavior
The paper-based construction eliminates static issues common in foamboard printing, improving handling and print consistency.
Talk to our signage team →100% recyclable
Digicol® is entirely paper-based, making it 100% recyclable in standard paper streams and compliant with EU guidelines — a major advantage over PVC and composite boards that end up as residual waste. Its fibers can be recycled up to seven times, keeping material in the loop longer than conventional plastics.
Avoids EPR fees
Because Digicol® contains no PVC, no plastics and no composite layers, it is classified as a fully paper-based substrate — meaning it falls under standard paper recycling fees, not the higher Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) charges applied to plastic signage materials in many EU markets. This makes Digicol® a more cost-efficient choice for print service providers, retailers and brands seeking to reduce material-related EPR costs.
PVC-free, acid-free and free from microplastics
Unlike PVC foamboard, Digicol® contains no plastics, no chlorine chemistry, and no microplastics, making it safe for disposal and for indoor environments such as retail spaces, schools and healthcare facilities. It is also acid-free, supporting long-term material stability and cleaner production cycles.
Responsible water management
Coldenhove continuously reuses 95% of all process water in a closed-loop system. The remaining 5% is fully purified at our own water treatment plant, Industriewater Eerbeek (IWE), before being safely returned to nature. This reduces freshwater consumption dramatically while ensuring clean, responsible water discharge.
FSC® certified fibers
All fibers used in Digicol® originate from FSC®-certified forests, ensuring responsible forest management, biodiversity protection and traceable sourcing. This allows brands and retailers to meet their own sustainability and CSR requirements.
Full regulatory compliance
Digicol® helps brands stay compliant with rapidly evolving sustainability regulations. As a 100% paper-based, board, it meets the strict requirements for recyclability in European paper streams and is compliant with upcoming EU-regulations. Its plastic-free composition aligns with the EU Green Claims Directive and supports corporate circularity objectives, making it a future-proof alternative to PVC.
Sustainability
advantages of Digicol®
Digicol® offers a fully paper-based, PVC-free alternative for signage — reducing plastic waste, avoiding microplastics, and fitting seamlessly into existing paper recycling streams.
Applications. From concept to board.
Discover the Possibilities of Digicol®
Scroll or drag to see how Digicol® offers sustainable applications in retail signage, POS displays and visual communication.
Premium POS Displays
Use Digicol® to build rigid, high-impact POS displays that showcase products with bright, detailed graphics.
Sales & Price Signs
Use Digicol® for eye-catching price and promo signs that match your brand colours and stand out in-store.
Counter Displays & Packaging
Digicol® combines structural strength with a clean white surface, ideal for branded counter displays and short-run packaging.
Freestanding Cutouts
Leverage Digicol® for life-size standees and character cutouts that are rigid, stable and fully recyclable.
Point-of-Purchase (POP) Displays
Showcase products with rigid, vivid Digicol® POP displays that stay flat, print beautifully, and are fully recyclable.
Retail Signage
Bright-white Digicol® panels bring campaigns to life in fashion and lifestyle stores without using plastic boards.
Visual Communication Panels
Produce large-format wall panels and décor pieces on Digicol® for exhibitions, lobbies and branded spaces.
Indoor Information Prints
Produce indoor information boards and promotional panels on Digicol® for supermarkets and specialty stores.
Hanging Information Signs
Create lightweight hanging signs that stay flat and print crisply for wayfinding and in-store communication.
Technical specifications
| Digicol® paper-based rigid board | |
|---|---|
| Available thickness | 3.0 mm |
| Sheet sizes |
1220 × 2440 mm — 2.98 m2 (250 sheets per pallet) 1524 × 3050 mm — 4.65 m2 (200 sheets per pallet) 2050 × 3050 mm — 6.25 m2 (150 sheets per pallet) |
| Material | 100% paper-based solid board — PVC-free, acid-free, static-free. Bright-white printing surface. |
| Density | Suitable for flat-bed printing, contour cutting, scoring and folding. |
| Flatness | High dimensional stability under temperature and humidity changes. |
| Print compatibility | – HP Latex R-Series – UV curable – Single-pass systems |
| Sustainability | – Contour cutting (drag or oscillating blade) – Scoring & folding – V-grooving – Structural bending |
| Request quote |
Print settings
Digicol® can be printed on both sides, as the board features two equally bright-white surfaces for consistent visual quality. Use UV or Latex flatbed printers for best adhesion and strong color density.
Cutting & shaping
- Use a V-groove tool for angled structural folds.
- For POP displays and stands, combine scoring + folding.
- Contour cutting works with oscillating or drag knives.
Handling
- Store flat and condition to the print room environment before production.
- Avoid excessive bending to maintain board rigidity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Clear answers to the most common questions about our papers and processes. Can’t find what you need? Send us your question and we’ll help right away.
Yes. Digicol® is a rigid, paper-based board engineered to replace PVC foamboard in signage, displays and structural applications. It offers similar functionality while being fully recyclable.
Yes. Digicol® is 100% paper-based and fully recyclable in standard paper recycling streams. It is also compliant with currrent and upcoming EU-guidelines and regulations for paper recyclability.
Yes. Digicol® provides excellent dimensional stability, remaining flat even when temperature or humidity changes. This is a major advantage compared to many alternative boards.
Yes. Digicol® can be contour-cut with drag or oscillating blades and supports score-and-fold and V-groove techniques for creating angled or structural shapes.
Yes. Digicol® is suitable for structural POP displays, exhibition panels and trade show walls, especially when combined with scoring, folding or V-groove construction.
Digicol® works with HP Latex R-Series, UV-curable flatbed printers and single-pass systems. It delivers strong adhesion and bright-white print quality.
Digicol® is available in 3.0 mm in the following sheet sizes:
1220 × 2440 mm — 2.98 m2 (250 sheets per pallet)
1524 × 3050 mm — 4.65 m2 (200 sheets per pallet)
2050 × 3050 mm — 6.25 m2 (150 sheets per pallet)
Digicol® 5.0 mm is available upon request. If you need a specific size or thickness for your project, feel free to reach out. We offer custom orders depending on your requirements.
No. Digicol® is not fire retardant. Usage in public spaces may be subject to local fire safety regulations. Development of a fire-retardant version is currently being researched.
Digicol® is suitable for indoor and short-term outdoor use. For longer-term outdoor exposure, a protective overlaminate is recommended.
No. Digicol® is static-free, which improves handling and alignment on flatbed printing systems.
No. Digicol® contains no plastics, no PFAS and no microplastics. It is a non-toxic, paper-only substrate.
Yes. Because it is plastic-free and acid-free, Digicol® is safe for use in retail environments, schools and indoor public spaces, subject to local fire regulations.
Store sheets flat and condition them to the print room environment before production. Avoid bending or excessive stacking to maintain board rigidity.
Yes. Digicol® can be overlaminated for added protection or extended outdoor durability, depending on the application.
Request a sample, quote or datasheet
Need guidance?
Unsure which Digicol® thickness or sheet size fits your signage workflow?
Tell us about your printer, finishing setup and application — we’ll help you choose the right Digicol® board for your project.