The choice of POS material directly affects the budget, service life and the final result on the sales floor. Three main options, cardboard, PVC and acrylic, cover different tasks: from a seasonal promotion to a permanent branded stand. In this article we look at POS materials made of cardboard, PVC and acrylic by technical specifications, cost and application, so that you choose deliberately and not out of habit.
Cardboard and corrugated board: budget POS for promotions
Coated cardboard with a density of 250-400 g/m² and corrugated board grades T-21/T-22 are the basis of short-term POSM projects for FMCG. A single unit starts from $0.05, a run can be launched from 50 pcs, and production takes 3-7 working days. This makes cardboard for POSM the best choice where speed to market and wide reach on a limited budget matter.
T-21 corrugated board is two-layer (~3 mm thick), T-22 is three-layer (~5 mm). The three-layer type holds a load of up to 25-30 kg, which is enough for a floor display with product. The surface is laminated with matte or glossy film; printing is offset or digital.
The weak point of cardboard is humidity. At air humidity above 70%, the structure loses rigidity within 2-4 weeks. In Tashkent's climate this matters in summer (July-August). In air-conditioned sales areas the service life reaches 6-12 months.
Where it is used
Seasonal promo stands, floor displays in supermarkets, wobblers made of coated cardboard (300-350 g/m²), pallet wraps, shelf talkers for one-off promotions, POS structures for New Year and Ramadan campaigns.
| Type | Thickness | Strength | Min. run | Price from (per unit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coated cardboard 250 g/m² | 0.3 mm | Low | 100 pcs | $0,05 |
| Coated cardboard 350-400 g/m² | 0.5 mm | Medium | 100 pcs | $0,10 |
| T-21 corrugated board (two-layer) | ~3 mm | Medium | 50 pcs | $0,15 |
| T-22 corrugated board (three-layer) | ~5 mm | High | 50 pcs | $0,20 |
More about cardboard structure formats in the article Types of POS Materials for Retail: From Price Tags to Branded Stands.
PVC: a workhorse material for mid-term POS
PVC accounts for 60-70% of the mid-segment POSM market. Foamed PVC (Forex) in 3, 5 and 8 mm thickness is the base material for promo stands, price tag holders and structures that work from a season to several years. Rigid PVC 0.3-0.5 mm thick is used for wobblers and shelf talkers for permanent use.
Operating temperature range: −20…+50°C. This covers most retail spaces: stores, shopping centers, warehouses. Outdoors in Tashkent in summer (up to +45°C in the shade) PVC remains stable, but direct sunlight shortens its life.
Foamed PVC can be milled, so shaped elements of a promo stand are cut from it. Panels of 5 mm and 8 mm carry load and attach to a metal frame. Indoor service life is 2-5 years under normal use.
Where it is used
Shelf talkers for permanent display, wobblers (rigid PVC 0.3-0.5 mm), price tag holders, promo stands for brands that rotate every 1-2 years, material for promo stands in grocery chains and pharmacies, information signs on the sales floor.
| PVC type | Thickness | Rigidity | Main application | Price from (per m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foamed PVC (Forex) | 3 mm | Medium | Shelf talkers, flat structures | $4,50 |
| Foamed PVC (Forex) | 5 mm | High | Promo stands, price tag holders | $6,00 |
| Foamed PVC (Forex) | 8 mm | Very high | Load-bearing panels, frame elements | $9,00 |
| Rigid PVC | 0.3-0.5 mm | Flexible | Wobblers, bent elements | $3,00 |
Acrylic: for long-term and premium POS structures
The transparency of acrylic (PMMA) reaches 92%, higher than ordinary glass (91%). That is why acrylic for displays is used where a visual premium is needed: jewelry stores, perfumery, cosmetics, branded zones in shopping malls. Sheet thickness: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm. Operating temperature range: −30…+80°C.
Acrylic supports UV printing, laser engraving and milling. This opens up possibilities for dimensional letters, backlit panels and edge-lit displays. Service life is 8-12 years without loss of transparency, provided it is protected from mechanical damage.
The downsides of acrylic are brittleness on impact and price. Acrylic costs 2-3 times more than PVC per unit. For seasonal promotions that makes no sense. For a permanent stand at a point of sale with a turnover of $50,000 per month or more, the investment pays off.
Read about illuminated structures with an acrylic face in our article Lightboxes: Design, Types of Lighting and Where They Pay Off Best.
Where it is used
Price tag holders for jewelry and cosmetics departments, displays for perfume testers, transparent stands in pharmacies, large branded stands in boutiques, edge-lit LED backlighting, dimensional logos on the stand.
Cardboard, PVC and acrylic compared: key parameters
| Parameter | Cardboard / corrugated board | PVC (Forex) | Acrylic (PMMA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per unit (approximate) | $0,05–$0,20 | $1,50–$15 | $5–$50+ |
| Service life | 3-12 months | 2-5 years | 8-12 years |
| Moisture resistance | Low | High | High |
| Temperature range | +5…+35°C | −20…+50°C | −30…+80°C |
| Minimum run | from 50 pcs | from 20 pcs | from 10 pcs |
| Printing | Offset, digital | UV, indoor | UV, engraving |
| Eco-friendliness | High (recyclable) | Medium | Medium |
| Brittleness on impact | Low (crumples) | Low (bends) | High (cracks) |
| Milling / shaped cutting | Creasing, die-cutting | Milling, laser | Milling, laser |
How to choose a material for a specific task
Below is a decision matrix for marketers and production managers. It does not replace a technical brief, but it covers 80% of typical requests for choosing a material for advertising materials and POSM.
| Your task | Recommended material | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal promotion, 3-6 months | T-22 corrugated board | Low price, fast production, large run |
| Permanent stand on the sales floor | PVC 5-8 mm or acrylic | Service life of 2-12 years, moisture resistance, presentable look |
| Outdoor POS (billboards, pylons) | Acrylic or PVC with UV coating | Temperature range, resistance to precipitation |
| Chain FMCG, run of 500+ pcs | PVC 3-5 mm | Best balance of price and service life |
| Luxury, jewelry, cosmetics | Acrylic 4-6 mm | 92% transparency, engraving, premium look |
| One-off wobblers and shelf talkers | 350 g/m² cardboard or 0.3 mm PVC | Depends on the length of the promotion: up to 3 months, cardboard; longer, PVC |
| Tip: if a brand updates its design more often than once a year, do not overpay for acrylic. 5 mm PVC with UV printing will give the look you need at a price 2-3 times lower. |
Run sizes and production times for POSM in Tashkent
Production times depend on the material and the complexity of the structure. The figures given are for standard formats without non-standard hardware or multi-tier assemblies.
- Cardboard / corrugated board: minimum order from 50 pcs, production time 3-7 working days. For runs over 500 pcs, 7-12 days.
- PVC for POS materials: minimum order from 20 pcs, 3-5 working days. Complex structures with assembly take up to 7 days.
- Acrylic for displays: minimum order from 10 pcs, 5-10 working days. Structures with engraving and edge lighting take 10-14 days.
POSM materials in Tashkent are produced at local facilities, which rules out transport delays on planned orders. For urgent launches (3-5 days), check that sheet material is in stock.
| Tip: when launching a chain campaign across Uzbekistan, allow +2-3 days for logistics to regional distributors, especially if the structures need on-site assembly. |
Frequently asked questions
Which material should I choose for a promo stand in a supermarket?
It depends on how long it will stand. For a promotion of up to 3 months, T-22 corrugated board: cheap, fast and easy to recycle. For a permanent stand that stays for 1-2 years, foamed PVC 5-8 mm. It withstands daily traffic, does not deform in humidity and allows panels to be reprinted without replacing the frame.
Why is PVC better than cardboard for shelf talkers?
Rigid PVC 0.3-0.5 mm thick does not get soggy, does not lose its shape when humidity changes and holds its print without yellowing for 3-5 years. A cardboard shelf talker crumples within 2-4 weeks under daily contact with staff. If a shelf talker stays at the point of sale permanently, PVC pays for itself within the first quarter.
Can acrylic POS materials be used outdoors?
Yes. Acrylic withstands temperatures from −30 to +80°C. In Tashkent conditions (up to +45°C in summer, down to −10°C in winter) that is with a comfortable margin. For outdoor use it is important to choose acrylic at least 4 mm thick and provide mounting that can withstand wind load. The UV resistance of acrylic lasts up to 10 years without protective coatings.
What is the minimum order for cardboard displays?
The standard minimum is 50 pcs for simple floor displays made of T-22 corrugated board. For coated cardboard with offset printing, the minimum is usually from 100 pcs because of the cost of printing plates. With digital printing the minimum starts from 10-20 pcs, but the unit price will be higher.
How much does a PVC promo stand cost in Tashkent?
A standard floor promo stand made of 5 mm foamed PVC with UV printing and assembly costs from $25 to $80 per unit, depending on size, shelf configuration and run size. For runs from 50 pcs, the unit price drops by 20-35%. We calculate the exact cost for your brief: send a request on the website.
What should I choose for a pharmacy display, acrylic or PVC?
For a checkout zone with dietary supplements and cosmetics, 3-4 mm acrylic: transparent shelves show off the product packaging. For information stands and price tag holders on the pharmacy sales floor, 3-5 mm PVC is enough. If the pharmacy is part of a chain and plans a single style across all outlets, we recommend acrylic for front-facing elements and PVC for functional carriers.
Order POS materials in cardboard, PVC and acrylic in Tashkent
Aeste.uz produces the full range of POSM in Tashkent: cardboard displays, PVC promo stands, acrylic price tag holders and branded stands. We work with FMCG brands, retail chains and advertising agencies across Uzbekistan.
- Runs from 10 to 10,000 pcs
- In-house production, lead times from 3 working days
- All three materials, cardboard, PVC and acrylic, under one roof
- Cost calculation via the brief form is free
Send a request through the website or write to us directly, and we will calculate the cost for your run and task within one business day.
We will make it to fit your task: custom POS materials in Tashkent with a cost and lead-time estimate.
