Not all floor marking tape is the same. Some tapes can withstand forklift traffic, other types are meant for pedestrian-only areas, while some markings aren’t meant for use in trafficked areas at all. To determine the appropriate tape for your needs, consider how floor marking tape is made, the materials used, and any special features that will improve safety or visual messaging in the intended application area.
How Is Floor Marking Tape Made?
Most floor marking tape is made from layers, including an adhesive, a printed layer, and a hard top layer. While many tape brands stack these layers to create the final product, Superior Mark® floor marking tape is made with bonded layers for added durability. The bonded layers include any text or graphics printed inside, rather than layered on top of the adhesive. Our floor marking tape features beveled edges and recessed adhesive, two features intended to extend floor tape lifespan and ease of use.
Common Floor Marking Tape Materials
Vinyl and PVC are the most durable floor marking tape materials. While thinner tapes, such as options made from adhesive-backed polyester, are suitable for low-traffic areas or short-term use, they are not durable enough for use in industrial locations or areas with heavy foot traffic. Floor marking tape may be between 5 to 60 mils thick. Our most popular Superior Mark® floor tape is 32 mils thick—strong enough to withstand traffic, but not so thick that carts, forklifts, or pallets catch and tear the tape. Thinner tape intended for non-traffic areas may be used to mark doorways, railings, and stairway inclines. Reflective tape can be applied to trucks, trailers, and other vehicles to improve traffic visibility. This high-visibility tape offers glowing, striped, solid, and customized options, and can withstand inclement weather, sun exposure, and solvents. Choose the floor marking tape material to suit your facility’s needs.
What Do Beveled Edges Do?
Most other tape brands have a straight, 90-degree edge, which can be damaged when forklifts or pallets cross the tape. Our floor tape features patented beveled edges—the sides of the tape taper gradually rather than being cut at a 90-degree angle—which sends traffic up and over the application. For even further durability, the tape features recessed adhesive, the adhesive is contained within a well, so it doesn’t seep out after the tape has been applied.
How Is Glow-in-the-Dark Tape Made?
Glowing Superior Mark® industrial floor tape, also called photoluminescent tape, is made of the same material as our non-glowing tape—so it’s just as durable. However, this type of tape includes phosphors, which absorb energy from light, then slowly radiate the absorbed energy as light. The stronger the light source, the more energy the tape will absorb and release. Benefits of Superior Mark® Glow-in-the-Dark Tape include:
- Many available options, including footprint or arrow-shaped floor markings, colored floor tape rolls, and anti-slip options
- Offers a long glow-time in as little as 30 minutes of recharging
- Adheres easily, even in corners and tight spaces
- Our options also include glowing shapes for use in carpeted areas such as offices, schools, or municipal buildings
How Long Does Glow-in-the-Dark Tape Last?
Our glowing floor tape is designed with the same patented beveled edges and adhesive as the rest of our industrial floor marking tape products, so your glow-in-the-dark tape application will last as long as our non-glowing options. We also offer thinner, laminated photoluminescent tape that’s suitable for use on walls, handrails, columns, and doorways.
Regarding how long the tape will illuminate in the dark, or in the case of a power outage, we produce options that glow anywhere from six to 24 hours. The brightness diminishes the longer the tape glows without “recharging,” and natural light produces the brightest glow.
How Is Non-Slip Floor Marking Tape Made?
Our non-skid tapes feature an abrasive, slip-resistant grit face—such as 32 mil. 60 grit silicon carbide—for improved traction that meets OSHA standards. The grit is bonded to a flexible polymer backing and aggressive pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive. The long-lasting non-slip tape sticks to clean, smooth surfaces and is waterproof, so your application remains in place for safety. If you can’t find the shape or size that you need, custom-made options are available.
Is Anti-Slip Tape Durable?
For durable anti-slip tape for your facility, ensure the tape you choose is rated for the amount and type of traffic you expect. For areas where there is foot traffic as well as forklift or other vehicular traffic, choose industrial-grade traction tape intended for use in heavily-trafficked areas.
Where to Use Traction Tape
Non-slip tape can be applied anywhere there is a slip hazard within the facility. Consider your needs in terms of colors and added features—such as tape that glows or reflects, and apply wherever visitors or employees may slip.
- Add strips of anti-slip tape in stairwells and walkways to improve safety.
- Glowing grit tape can be used in emergency exits and stairwells to improve visibility and traction in case of a power outage or evacuation.
- Apply to equipment, boats, and golf carts for added traction while stepping on or off the vehicle.
- Improve traction at loading docks or ramps with non-slip tape that’s rated for indoor and outdoor use.
- Use anti-slip tape to reduce slip hazards in areas where spills or moisture are common, such as in kitchens, garages, or manufacturing floors.
When choosing floor marking tape for your facility, consider how the tape is constructed—industrial floor marking tape manufactured with beveled edges and recessed adhesive is the most durable on the market. Then, determine which special features you need for your intended application. For more floor marking tape tips, explore our Resource Center.
