The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led many businesses and public spaces to implement new solutions to remind people about the importance of social distancing including signs, floor markers and more. Unfortunately, as many of these facilities worked to create quick solutions, they opted to use tape rather than appropriate adhesive floor materials. Although it may seem easier to use tape to create arrows, lines, and X’s on the ground, this decision often leads to irreparable damage to floor surfaces. However, thanks to the enhanced modern design of many floor graphic materials, these facilities can avoid destructive situations all together.
The Benefits of Floor Graphics
Due, in part, to the pandemic, floor graphics are quickly becoming a popular solution for providing instructions to the public about new guidelines and promotions. Floor graphics are extremely versatile and provide numerous benefits to the user. Some of these benefits include customization, durability, slip resistance, and digital printability. But one of the most significant benefits of floor graphics is their ease of installation and adhesive capabilities. For most floor graphic products, the installation is as easy as removing the graphic from its backing and placing it on the desired location. However, there are many instances where the installer may want to remove or reposition the graphic. Thankfully, the adhesive on the back of many floor graphic materials allows it to be easily removed without causing damage to the floor or the product. In addition, no residue is left on the floor where the graphic was originally placed, which cannot always be said when using standard tape.
Why Using Tape on Floors is Ineffective
Although it may seem convenient and easy to use tape on the ground to help direct customers and keep them distanced, it is not the best long-term solution.
The first reason why tape is an ineffective alternative to floor graphics is because it can look unprofessional and messy on the ground. Even though some tape products can come in different sizes, colors, and designs, the customization of these materials is severely limited. Floor graphics can be printed to display uniform designs and fonts that fit the design standards of the business where it is being used.
The second reason why tape shouldn’t be used is because it cannot be easily repositioned without ruining the integrity of the material. Many of us already know that if we remove tape from any surface, it often gets torn or the adhesive doesn’t work as well as it did when it was originally placed. This leads to wasted material and the cycle of using fresh tape is never-ending. Fortunately, floor graphics do not have this issue and the installer doesn’t have to waste money buying new materials.
Lastly, and most importantly, tape can ruin floor surfaces. As mentioned above, tape often leaves behind a sticky residue when removed. Not only does this residue look bad, but it can also be annoying to the people who step into it with their shoes. But perhaps the biggest problem occurs when the tape peels the finish from the floor. If a business wants to fix these blemishes, it often leads to expensive repairs that otherwise wouldn’t have occurred if they chose to place a floor graphic instead.
Additional Articles
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of floor graphics, the properties of the materials, and how they are currently being used to help the public, read our other articles:
Embracing the New Normal With Floor Graphics
How Floor Graphics Can Help Flatten the Curve
Contact Us
At Piedmont Plastics, we offer a wide variety of performance plastic materials for your industrial and protective applications. Contact us to inquire about our various solutions or call us today to speak with a plastics expert! You can also read our social distancing floor sign solutions line card and social distancing solutions brochure for more information about our social distancing products!