In most warehouses across the UK and Europe, there is evidence of floor stickers ranging from remnants of a 5S program from a long time ago to brand-new stickers that are regularly replaced. Floor stickers are a necessity for most companies where walkways and roadways are shared among forklift trucks and pedestrians.
In most cases, when people are looking to install or replace floor stickers, a highly durable option is the most sought after. Replacing floor stickers not only costs money but also means that someone has to stop the traffic in order to replace the sticker.
If you are looking for the most durable, long-lasting floor marking stickers for your warehouse, then this article is for you. By the end of this article, you will know what the best options are, how to make your floor marking sticker last longer, and what causes premature failure with a floor sticker.
What is a floor marking sticker?
A floor marking sticker is an Americanized term for a self-adhesive sign installed on the floor of a factory warehouse. Floor marking stickers can be customized to convey any message or warning for both pedestrians and vehicles on site. The advantage of a floor marking sticker is that the floor is a blank canvas, and the stickers can be placed anywhere without creating confusion. For example, a sticker can be used to denote a one-way system on site by indicating the direction of travel, whereas a wall-mounted sign can get lost behind pallets, etc.
Why do some floor marking stickers last longer than others?
Floor marking stickers in some markets have become commoditized, and costs have been engineered out of the product, compromising its long-term durability. For example, in the early 2020s, floor marking stickers saying "keep 2 m apart" were mass-produced and generally fit for purpose. However, as these products were designed for foot traffic, the same manufacturers produce the same quality of signs for heavier traffic. In a high-traffic environment, a budget-grade floor marking sticker may only last up to 2 weeks. For some customers, the low ticket price justifies replacing these signs every week or so, but there is a problem with this. First, we need to understand the mode of failure before we can address the durability concerns.
So why do floor stickers fail?
A floor sticker can fail for two very different reasons: it can either peel up or the print can wear away.
If your floor stickers are peeling up, the likely issue is the adhesive used on the underside. This can be due to external factors such as excessive water or moisture from washdown procedures, or it could be because the adhesive is not strong enough to maintain a durable bond. Typically, the cheapest self-adhesive floor stickers will have a very thin layer of high-tack but low-strength adhesive. The advantage of this is that it offers a high initial grab; however, the disadvantage is that it will leave a trail of adhesive residue when you remove the sticker. This leads to a secondary problem when you replace the sticker, as you are placing a new sticker over old adhesive residue, further compromising the long-term durability of the sticker.
If the problem you are facing is with the stickers delaminating or print failure, then either the printing method or the protective coating is not designed for the traffic you are subjecting the floor sticker to.
How can you make your floor marking sticker last longer?
If you have sourced a floor marking sticker that has been developed for use in a high-traffic area, then you probably want to make your investment last as long as possible. The best thing you can do to make your floor sticker last as long as possible is to simply clean and dry the floor properly before installing the floor sticker. In normal conditions, a premium floor sticker can be expected to last three years or more. The single biggest mistake people make when installing floor stickers is not cleaning the floor properly prior to installation.
Effective floor cleaning may involve a suitable solvent such as isopropanol alcohol. Remember, if you were painting a floor sign and you wanted a similar durability, then you would need to grind off the top level of paint to achieve the same level of durability.
What other options are there?
While floor marking stickers are one of the most cost-effective ways to mark your warehousing or factory flooring, there are also a couple of other options that you should be aware of. The first is paint. Painted floor marking signs have been around for many years and usually involve some form of stencil to do a neat job. The difference between a long-lasting, durable painted floor marking rarely has anything to do with the quality of the paint, and while a good quality paint will last the longest, normally the surface preparation makes 80% of the difference.
If long-term durability is your main objective, then a projected floor marking may well be the most suitable option for you. An LED projected floor marking consists of a high-power projector positioned up to 12 m above the area you wish to have a floor marking. This contains a special lens or slide known as a Gobo. A projected floor marking will never wear out but will have a higher initial cost than a floor sticker or floor paint.
So, which is the best floor marking option for you?
The best floor marking option for you depends on three things: how much you want to invest, how permanent you want the floor marking to be, and how much you want it to catch people's attention.
If you already have floor painting contractors on site, then by preparing the surface properly, a painted floor could offer you the lowest initial cost. However, it will also mean that the area to be painted will need to be isolated for up to 48 hours while the paint dries. A floor marking sticker can be installed by any competent person as long as the floor is clean and dry and will cost you around £100 for a 1 m diameter sign. A projected floor marking sign will cost you around £1000, depending on the power of the lamp required.
If the floor marking sign needs to capture the attention of operators, for example, a warning sign, then you may want to consider illuminating the sign in some way. For the most attention-grabbing floor marking signs, a projected floor marking can be made interactive, which means it only appears when the operators or pedestrians approach the area. It is also possible to make a projected floor marking sign blink to draw attention to it.
The best floor marking sign for you depends on your budget and your requirements for more information on how you can integrate technology in your warehouse, please download the free e-book here.
For information on mighty Line floor marking tape, please see the product review here.