By Melissa Donovan
Floor graphics are used in a number of environments and depending on each situation, a specific material may be required. In the April issue of Digital Output, we discuss “tough” floor graphics—those materials designed to withstand heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic—including in industrial spaces where forklifts and other machinery are constantly run on a floor.
The vendors in the article shared some of their products useable in this space.
ACCO Brands
SEAL Print Shield Floor Guard is a pressure-sensitive adhesive with premium adhesion. SEAL Floor Guard is a heat-activated adhesive with premium adhesion. The pebble/sand texture provides slip/scuff resistance, color pop, and optimal surface protection. Both are ATSM rated for slip resistance. Properly applied floor graphics last a minimum of six months.
Continental Grafix USA, Inc.
FatFloor is a one-step, 35-mil clear, non-skid, non-adhesive, reverse print material ideal for high-traffic interior environments such as retail, transit stations, museum exhibits, and grocery stores. It is dimensionally stable and highly chemical resistance. Pair with White DoubleStick mounting adhesive that provides the white layer in place of white ink and also adds a removable adhesive layer for easy installation.
UltraProtection Laminate is a non-skid, chemical resistant, 24-mil overlaminate for long-term, high-traffic floor graphics. Pair with X-treme high-tack, removable, PVC base film that can be installed in temperatures as high as +122°F and low as +5°F. Pair UltraProtection Laminate with iTacGreen for a highly durable floor graphic solution on smooth surfaces such as polished wood, granite, terrazzo, and marble.
FoilWalk is a eurethane-coated, non-skid, foil-based solution for exterior wet and dry conditions. Highly conformable without heat, FoilWalk is ideal for high-traffic, short-term outdoor events and can accept car traffic.
Coming soon is UltraWalk. A one-step, printable, non-PVC, textured, high-tack film that accepts car and forklift traffic. UltraWalk is a heavy-duty one-step floor graphic solution for a variety of demanding environments.
DreamScape
DreamScape floor media distinguishes itself with a three-ply construction. Having a fabric in the center provides a high level of tear resistance and the thickness helps with wear and tear. Additionally, the textured surfaces are slip certified, and a repositionable adhesive leaves no residue behind. The convenience of not requiring an overlaminate, combined with its resilient features, positions DreamScape floor graphic media as a standout choice for durable and visually appealing floor applications.
Drytac
Drytac Protac Floortex 200, Protac ScuffGuard, and Interlam Pro Emerytex can all be paired with Drytac Polar Grip to create long lasting, durable floor graphics.
FDC Graphic Films, Inc.
FDC Lumina by FDC 7279 Print Media: Carpet Floor Film is a flexible 3.2-mil vinyl with an acrylic pressure-sensitive high-tack adhesive on a stay-flat liner specially designed for removability of the film from most commercial carpets for up to six months under normal conditions including point of purchase (POP) decals, trade show aisle markings, social distancing graphics, and short-term wayfinding signage. This film is designed for solvent, eco-solvent, and UV-curable inks.
Lumina by FDC 7251 Print Media: Smooth Tile Floor Film is a vinyl with acrylic adhesive on a stay-flat liner specially designed for removability from most commercial tile and smooth concrete substrates including POP decals, social distancing graphics, and short-term wayfinding signage.
Lumina by FDC 7051 Anti-Skid Floor Laminate pairs well with the Lumina by FDC 7279 and 7251 series. It’s a UL-classified product that’s slightly textured calendered vinyl designed to provide protection and slip resistance for floor graphics.
FloorSignage, LLC
AlumiGraphics DriveOn Graphics is designed for graphics applied direct to asphalt and concrete parking lots, garage floors, and driveways with automobile traffic. The slip resistant texture also provides retro reflectivity making it a better alternative to stenciled/painted graphics and thermoplastic. It can be used to create highly visible signs used in dark areas with automobile traffic that are understandable from a safe distance, allowing time to permit a proper driving response.
AlumiGraphics Grip is the most reliable and durable material for graphics applied direct to a broad range of textured outdoor walkways with pedestrian traffic. Safe and durable foil-based material easily conforms to textured walkways without heat, resulting in a “painted-on” appearance. It is also a sustainable product that can be disposed with aluminum recycling.
DURAMarker Ultra is a durable floor graphic designed for indoor warehouse and manufacturing environments exposed to forklift traffic. Typically used for safety compliance and inventory management programs, it is also used inside retail locations that use forklifts and pallet jacks for restocking.
Jessup Manufacturing Company
Jessup’s TenaciousTac 2CR, paired with ARMORLam 23, creates an outstanding media and overlaminate combination designed specifically for warehouse floor graphics. The TenaciousTac 2CR features a five year outdoor durability, utilizing a 2-mil chemical-resistant solvent acrylic adhesive. Complementing this, ARMORLam 23 is a non-slip rated 23-mil vinyl film, providing superior protection for graphics. This unique combination proves to be highly effective in areas with heavy foot traffic, including forklifts, luggage carts, and pallet jacks.
Mactac
Mactac floor graphic media that is specially designed to withstand tough conditions and is ideal for high-traffic areas is Mactac Streetrap STR328. One of the standout features of this product is its durability—it is made with a strong adhesive that can withstand heavy foot traffic, wheeled equipment, and even spills. In addition, in combination with PF6600 Overlaminate, the graphic is slip resistant, making it a safe option even in wet or oily conditions.
Another product to highlight is Printvinyl Gray High Tack PVG528H, which can be used on a variety of surfaces like tile and low-pile carpeting. This makes it an ideal choice for a range of applications, from retail stores to sports arenas.
Mactac Colorgard Floor overlaminates provides slip resistance for outdoor/indoor and wet/dry, depending on your application.
Looking for substrates designed to withstand heavy loads? The aforementioned floor graphic media is constructed with a tough mentality.
