10 Things You Should Know Before You Choose Floor Marking Tape

Choosing the right floor marking tape for your facility can be difficult if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Floor marking tape can make your facility safer and more efficient, but not all types of floor marking tape are the same. Whether you’re working with temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals or electrical wiring, you need to know what kind of floor marking tape will work best in your facility. 

To make the best decision on which type of floor marking tape to buy for your facility, keep these 10 points in mind.

Things to Consider Before Choosing Floor Marking Tape:

1. Color

The most obvious choice is color, but that’s just a start. Color isn’t everything. Sometimes it’s good to know what kind of color looks best in a certain setting, and other times the visibility of the tape matters most (if there’s not much light) or if it can be removed easily. Determining the time you want the floor markings to last is also important: for example, fluorescent tapes are easy to find, but they fade over time and could end up costing you money in future cleanups.

 

2. Application Method

The primary method of application for most floor tape is a tape applicator, though you can use an adhesive if you’re working on vertical surfaces. The easiest and most cost-effective way to get professional results with your floor marking tape is to order self-adhesive tape that comes with an applicator. If you don’t have access to a ready supply of cleaning and safety equipment, it might be best to opt for either double-sided floor tape or painted lines. That way, your employees will have something to adhere to their floor markings, until they can buy their supplies.

 

3. Adhesive

When choosing floor marking tape, your top priority should be to make sure it’s going to stay put. There are mainly two types of adhesives used in vinyl floor marking tape: aggressive and non-aggressive. Aggressive adhesive will last longer, but it can also leave a residue that needs to be scrubbed off if you need to remove it. Non-aggressive adhesive will leave less of a mess when you decide to take off your floor tape, but probably it can be removed quickly too.

 

4. Durability

Floor marking tapes are not similar to your stationery or craft shop tapes; they need to have utmost durability. Take a look at how thick your floor marking tape is. The thicker it is, the more likely it is to stand up to repeated wear and tear. If you have busy facilities with lots of foot traffic, a thicker floor marking tape will likely be what you’re looking for. Thinner tapes work great in offices or areas that aren’t subject to constant abuse.

 

5. Cost

The money you are willing to spend on floor marking tape depends on your facility’s requirements. Typically, high-quality tapes cost between $15 and $30 per roll. On average, businesses that need to use floor marking tape regularly, for example in warehouses or manufacturing facilities should expect to pay at least $20 per roll. 

Businesses that need floor marking tape for temporary projects can get away with spending less (around $15 per roll), but will generally exhaust it more quickly, and buy new rolls more often. If a business occasionally needs tapes for certain projects or doesn’t have many hard floors where marks might wear off over time, there’s no need to spend more than $10 per roll.

 

6. Maintenance

If you’re going to use floor marking tape, you’ll have to replace it frequently. Professional facilities clean their floors more often than most do at home, and your tape will wear out faster. That means you should keep extra rolls of tape on hand because when one loses its usability, it needs to be replaced quickly. Of course, how often you require replacement depends on traffic and conditions. The more people use a space and how dusty or oily the floor is, will affect how fast your floor marking tape wears out. If dust or grime is an issue in your facility (think backrooms of warehouses), consider using other types of floor markers that resist water and dust better.

 

7. Ease of Use

As a professional company, you want to make sure your floor markings are durable and easy to apply. In other words, there shouldn’t be any guesswork involved for you or your employees. Remember that these markers are on everyone’s shoes or boots as they walk through your facility every day. If they’re not easy to apply, chances are they won’t get applied as much as they should! So choose a tape that makes life easier for your team!

 

8. Transparency

The key factor to look for is transparency. When there’s less of it, your tape won’t be as visible and therefore won’t provide nearly as much value. For example, floor marking tape that leaves a white residue behind is more difficult to clean than a roll of clear-backed tape. That’s because clear tape allows you to see which areas have been covered, so you can scrub them with ease. Also, keep in mind that some tapes are easier to mark than others.

 

9. Stickiness / Transfer Resistance

Because floor tape is often stuck to the carpet, you’ll want to make sure it’s a good match for your environment. Your floor tape should be able to withstand some foot traffic without transferring and also hold up if a user decides to peel it off their shoe when exiting. The longer your floor marking tape stays in place, the better. Most manufacturers suggest that their products are transfer-resistant, so consult your product data sheet to see how long you can expect them to last!

 

10. Waterproofing and Cleaning Ability

Not all tapes are created equal, so you’ll want to make sure your tape is water and chemical-resistant. This will come in handy for most facilities, as wet spills or even indoor climate control could easily ruin an otherwise perfectly adequate floor tape. It will make sure the tape does not come off easily on any kind of water contact.

 

Final Thoughts

Before you decide on floor marking tape for your facility, make sure to do plenty of research. Once you’ve analyzed all your options, chosen a color scheme and purchase everything you need, take a few extra steps to ensure that your tape lasts for years to come.