Although the substrates that can be used with LPR high pressure laminates may vary, they must all have common characteristics. These commonalities must have a surface as smooth and homogeneous as possible, free from irregularities.This is particularly true for high gloss surface finishes that may be very thin.

The most common substrates are: chipboard plywood, medium density fiberboard and fiberboard. These substrates are cellulose based containing dimensional variations similar to the ones of HPL.

Aluminum, iron or steel slabs are also good substrates even if their dimentional variations may differ from HPL sheets.

The laminates can be bonded directly onto the honeycomb, or the polystyrene or the polyurithane bords, only if the thickness is equal or more than 1.5mm. In fact, thinner laminates would not give a good enough shock resistance since these kind of substrates are very yielding.