How to Choose Floor Marking Equipment

Floor marking equipment makes applying floor tape and signs easier, but which application equipment you should use varies depending on several factors. Some facilities see high foot and forklift traffic and require regular floor tape repair, while others have less traffic—which means less wear and tear on markings—so tape repair happens less often. Consider these key points when deciding which floor marking equipment is ideal for your industrial or manufacturing facility, school, or other visual space.

Types of Floor Marking Equipment

The benefits of floor-marking equipment vary, depending on which type you choose. We carry options that support full-fledged application and equipment with organization and tamping features. Consider the different types of floor marking equipment and tools to decide which best suits your facility’s needs:

• Superior Marker® Floor Tape Applicator Cart: This time-saving tool features a hand-operated lever that activates tape application, a foot-powered lever that cuts the tape, and a tamper roller that activates the adhesive. With the Superior Marker®, applying dashed, straight, or curved lines is as easy as taking a slow stroll—minimal bending required.
• Superior Marker® Kaizen Cart: Ideal for installation and floor tape repairs, a Kaizen Cart holds up to 14 rolls of Superior Mark™ floor tape and tools. Because it is on wheels, you can roll the cart when and where you need it. It also features a fold-down tamper roller that ensures proper adhesion, extending the life of your floor tape.

Questions for Choosing Floor Marking Equipment

Several factors influence which floor marking application tools will fit your needs best, from the frequency of floor marking tape and sign repairs to the types of markings you use. Ask yourself the following questions before choosing your floor-marking equipment.

How Much Space Do Your Floor Markings Cover?

Applying floor markings in a warehouse or other large area can be difficult to accomplish only by hand—a floor marking applicator cart can improve the speed, accuracy, and quality of floor marking application. For multiple, smaller applications throughout a facility, such as individual workstations, a Kaizen cart allows you to easily move supplies between application points.

How Often Do You Install or Repair Floor Tape?

Hallways or other areas that only see limited pedestrian traffic may require less frequent tape repair than areas with heavier traffic. Locations where machine or forklift traffic, especially where pallets and loads may scrape or drag across floor markings, will need more frequent floor tape repair or replacement. Similarly, areas that rarely see changes in workflow or processes will require less frequent updates than areas where processes, traffic patterns, or visual cues change regularly. 

Consider how often you need to repair, replace, or change your visual cues and lines when deciding which floor marking equipment you need:

• Repairing large sections of tape is easier and less time-consuming with our Superior Marker® cart.
• If only small or infrequent repairs are necessary, the Kaizen Cart may be a better option. It’s more cost-effective and keeps floor tape and tools close at hand.

Which Floor Marking Style Do You Use The Most?

Consider the types of floor markings common to your facility, then choose the tool that best suits those needs. 

• Continuous Straight, Dashed, or Curved Lines: For locations where you apply continuous markings, our Superior Marker® Cart is a time-saver—and it reduces the amount of bending necessary, thanks to a hand-operated lever that activates the application and a foot-powered lever that cuts the tape.
• Floor-Marking Shapes and Signs: If you use signs and floor marking shapes—such as dots, dashes, or footprints—instead of rolls of tape, a Kaizen cart may be all you need to ensure a long-lasting application. 
• Minimal Floor Markings: Some facilities rely on many visual cues, while others require fewer markings. If you use very little floor tape or, apply markings in protected areas that don’t require much upkeep, a Kaizen cart is likely sufficient for your application needs.

Are Your Workspaces Flexible or Fixed?

If your workflows rarely change, you may only need to worry about regular tape repair and basic upkeep. However, if you utilize flexible layouts and your processes change often, consider a do-it-all applicator cart that keeps your tape, tools, and supplies within reach. A Kaizen Cart is designed to hold everything you need for quick tape repair or adjustment. If you’re updating floor markings or repairing damage, simply roll it out, remove the old tape, clean the floor, then apply new lines as necessary, without long stretches of downtime. 

Compare Our Floor Marking Equipment

Looking for a side-by-side comparison of floor marking equipment options? Here, we break down the differences between our popular Superior Marker® and Kaizen Cart.

Floor marking equipment can speed up the tape application process and make repairs quick and easy. Choose equipment based on your facility’s needs—including devices for tamping, cleaning and repair, or laying and cutting—and speed up your floor marking process. For more tape application tips and industrial safety information, explore our Resource Center.