What seems to make parking areas organized and orderly? The lines! Without parking lot lines, parking areas would be a mess. People would park in odd directions and strange spots, making efficient use of the parking area a disaster.
Parking lot stencils are an aid
Parking lot stencils offer solutions for parking lot organization issues. Stencils provide clear, perfect, open spots with visible lines, making parking an easy endeavor. The lines serve as boundaries between vehicles and clearly indicate where parking locations are offered in a lot. Parking lots without stenciled and marked parking spaces have many more calls to the police for vehicle damage than lots with parking spot stencils.
Stencils show where you CAN’T park
Parking lot stencils not only show one where parking is allowed, they also show you where you can’t park.
Some locations benefit from having reserved parking spaces. By reserving a spot for a specific driver, you don’t have to worry about the designated driver not having a parking spot when needed. Hospitals use these parking locations for doctors on call, schools use them for visitors and administrators and businesses may use them for very short-term parkers like couriers. These designated parking spots eliminate arguments between people who both assume they are in the correct spot and property managers can eliminate arguments about limited parking between residents.
Businesses that share parking can use stencils to indicate which parking spots are for their customers to use.
Handicap parking stencils are necessary
Handicap parking spaces are for people with disabilities and are an important part of an organized parking lot. Depending on the size of a parking lot, there are rules and laws that require a certain number of parking spaces to be labeled for those with disabilities. These spaces are usually closest to the entrance of a building with access to a sidewalk and ramp, as well as extra room for a wheelchair next to the vehicle.
Parking locations designated with handicap stencils are for handicapped drivers and passengers. These spaces reduce the distance between the car and the entrance, making it easier and more convenient for those with disabilities or with a wheelchair, to enter a building. Handicap spots make it possible for the older generation to still be able to go out and do things.
Don’t block the fire lane
Parking lot stencils also make drivers aware of a fire lane. If an area is stenciled as a fire lane (usually with lines and words saying “FIRE LANE”), you should not park in that area. Parking in the fire lane could prevent firefighters from getting as close as they possibly can to put out a fire or save a life. Also worth noting, in most places, if a fire truck is blocked by a vehicle in the fire lane or if a vehicle blocks a fire hydrant, firefighters have the right to either forcibly push your vehicle out of the way or shove a hose through the windows of your vehicle.
These are a few of our most popular parking lot stencils. There are many great perks of having a well labeled parking area using stencils. Parking lot stencils provide vital visual cues about where to park, and where not to park.
Other uses for stencils
In addition to using stencils in a parking lot, you can create clear and visible graphics, custom lettering and safety messages on pavement or in a facility, with Stop-Painting’s broad selection of stencils. We offer stencils in many categories, including floor stencils, sports field stencils, letter stencils, number stencils, kid-friendly sidewalk and playground stencils and more. We specialize in creating high quality floor and pavement stencils that allow you to quickly paint safety messages and warnings on the floor or wall of your industrial facility as well as pavement.
Choosing the correct stencil material is crucial for success in your floor marking endeavors. The stencils with the lowest initial cost would be stencils made from cardboard or Oil Board — but they are also the stencils that will most likely only last for one use. They are less durable and if you try and salvage them for multiple uses, they are very difficult to store, actually increasing your cost over time.
Another great option for stencils in an industrial setting are stencils made from low density polyethylene plastic, or LDPE. LDPE stencils are available in two different thickness levels. Both of the LDPE stencil options will help you stay simple and clean and they store easily. Easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to store make the LDPE stencils the best option for stenciling.
We also carry brass stencils, which are a good option for a stencil with long-term durability. Some parking lot striping companies get creative and use brass stencils to install thermoplastic pavement markings as a more durable option versus paint.
We know stencils, whether you’re using them in a parking lot or in a work facility. Check out our large inventory of stencils or contact us and we can custom create a stencil to meet your needs.