Best Practice Guide to

Floor Marking

A Graphic Products Library Resource

877-534 -5157 | GraphicProducts.com
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION  ��������������������������������������������������������������������������  1
Why Floor Marking?

FLOOR MARKING APPLICATIONS  ��������������������������������������������  2

Traffic Routes
Hazardous Areas
Product & Material Storage
Machinery & Equipment

IMPROVING SAFETY & EFFICIENCY  ����������������������������������������  4

2 Discover the many uses for floor marking tape. Improving Safety
Improving Efficiency
Floor Marking & Wayfinding

REGULATIONS & STANDARDS  �������������������������������������������������  5

OSHA Requirements for Floor Marking
Regulations on Color
Marking with Glow-in-the-Dark Tape
Widely Used Floor Marking Colors & Patterns

CHOOSING THE BEST FLOOR MARKING METHOD  ����������������  8

Floor Marking Tape vs. Traditional Paint

CHOOSING THE BEST TAPE  �����������������������������������������������������  9

Types of PathFinder Tapes

Learn helpful tips on how to install floor marking TIPS ON FLOOR MARKING  ����������������������������������������������������   11
11 tape. Applying Floor Marking Tape
Repairing Floor Marking Tape
Removing Floor Marking Tape
General Tips

SAMPLE FLOOR PLAN  �����������������������������������������������������������   13

Floor Marking Applications

FACILITY FLOOR MARKING INSPECTION  ����������������������������   14

WHY CHOOSE PATHFINDER?  ������������������������������������������������   16

Content may have been updated to reflect the latest codes, A Trusted Source
standards, and regulations or to address any errors or omissions.
For the most up to date edition, visit: GraphicProducts.com/guides
More from Graphic Products

This document contains information derived from sources we deem reliable. Graphic Products, Inc. has made reasonable efforts to ensure correctness but
does not guarantee accuracy or completeness. Graphic Products makes no warranties express or implied regarding the contained subject matter. Contents are
subject to change without notice. Graphic Products disclaims liability for injury, damage, or loss arising from reliance on the information contained herein. Users
of this information should independently consult municipal, state, or federal code and/or verify information with the appropriate regulatory agency.
INTRODUCTION
The safest route isn’t always a straight line. Today’s industrial workforce must navigate traffic, energized equipment, and
increasingly complex facilities. Floor marking can help. The term "floor marking" refers to lines and symbols on the floor that
make people aware of important workplace boundaries. Some common uses of floor marking include: pedestrian walkways,
product storage areas, and hazardous areas.

Why Floor Marking? Use this floor marking guide to initiate floor marking at your
facility, as a safety training resource, or a tool in your facility’s
Floor marking and wayfinding make it easier for people to get
existing visual communications program. This guide includes:
around safely. These visual cues can be seen in all kinds of
professional environments, from heavy-duty manufacturing
and warehouse facilities, to small schools and gymnasiums.
When used strategically, floor marking communicates
important information to people at the exact location where Common uses Helpful tips for Recommended
they need it, reducing costly accidents while improving of floor marking floor marking products & solutions
efficiency.

Contact Graphic Products at 877-534-5157 or visit GraphicProducts.com with any questions not
answered by this guide at any stage in your research process. We also have a convenient live chat
function on our website so you can get the answers you need immediately.

PathFinder tape solutions will improve your facility’s efficiency, visual communication, and safety.

1     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com
FLOOR MARKING APPLICATIONS
No two facilities are alike. Utilize input from your workforce and meet with health and safety professionals to determine what works
best in your facility. The following floor marking applications are commonly used to protect workers, visitors, and equipment.

Traffic Routes
Pedestrian and vehicular pathway markings are the most
common uses of floor marking tape. Forklift collisions are
a major cause of workplace fatalities, which is a strong
indicator of how important clearly marking traffic routes are.
Successful floor marking should be easy to understand so
everyone can navigate safely without any prior training. Apply
floor tape to:

• Separate lanes of vehicle and pedestrian traffic

• Identify intersections and blind spots around corners
• Highlight safe pathways to exits, stairwells, aisles, and
emergency equipment (with glow-in-the-dark1 tape)

WHAT TO USE:
• PathFinder RIGID™ – Heavy-duty for extreme forklift traffic
and pallet abuse. Choose from solid color, hazard stripe,
and shapes
• PathFinder REFLECT™ – Choose from engineer-grade to
high-intensity solid color and hazard stripe reflective tapes
and DOT-certified shapes
• PathFinder GLOW™ – Available in solid color, hazard stripe,
preprinted, and anti-slip glow-in-the-dark
• PathFinder Floor Signs – Choose from premade messages
or customize for facility’s unique needs
Use PathFinder RIGID to create separate lanes for forklifts and
pedestrian traffic.
Hazardous Areas
Employers often struggle to fully protect workers from
falls. Mark boundaries surrounding hazardous areas with
preprinted safety messages, hazard-striped tape, and
provide extra traction. Communicate safe areas and improve
navigation by marking:
• Pedestrian pathways and boundaries in high-traffic areas
around moving machinery and equipment, loading docks,
and electrical panels
• PPE-required work areas to communicate hazards and
requirements prior to entry
• Slippery areas such as washdown stations, stairs, and
handrails

Use PathFinder TREAD hazard striped tape for loading docks and other
potentially hazardous boundaries.
WHAT TO USE:
• PathFinder REFLECT™ – Choose from engineer-grade to
high-intensity solid color and hazard stripe reflective tapes
and DOT-certified shapes
• PathFinder PRINT™ – Communicate situation-specific
information with preprinted messages or customize for
facility’s unique needs
• PathFinder TREAD™ – Anti-slip tapes in extra-coarse to
non-abrasive waterproof in solid color and hazard stripe
plus shapes for steps

1
For more information about glow-in-the-dark signs, see the corresponding section of this guide or request the more detailed guide entitled Introduction to
Photoluminescent Labels, Signs and Path Markings, free from Graphic Products.

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com    2
Floor marking applications

Machinery & Equipment

Ensure workers can easily and quickly find the tools they
need. Use floor tape to color-code tools and work areas to
instantly communicate where materials live. Also, enhance
visibility and safety around machinery to reduce chances of
injury. Apply floor tape to:

• Color-code tool boards, cabinets, and drawers to

communicate proper locations of storage in various
departments and work areas
• Clearly mark parking locations for frequently used items
such as forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, and other equipment
• Apply accents and outlines around moving machinery to
safely guide personnel

WHAT TO USE:
• PathFinder LITE™ or LITE Laminated – Light to moderate
Use floor marking tape to color-code and communicate where materials foot traffic. Choose from solid color, hazard stripe,
belong and improve overall organization. checkered, and clean room tapes
• PathFinder RIGID™ – Heavy-duty for extreme forklift traffic
and pallet abuse. Choose from solid color, hazard stripe,
and shapes
Product & Material Storage
• PathFinder REFLECT™ – Choose from engineer-grade
Reduce confusion and improve efficiency by clearly marking to high-intensity hazard stripe reflective tapes and DOT-
product and material storage areas. Use color-coding to certified shapes
implement 5S and lean strategies to redesign the facility floor
plan, communicate where materials belong, and improve
overall organization. Mark and outline:

• Temporary and long-term storage areas

• Raw material storage bins and inventory (e.g. minimum
and maximum fill lines)
• Pallet staging areas in the warehouse

WHAT TO USE:
• PathFinder LITE™ or LITE Laminated – Light to moderate
foot traffic. Choose from solid color, hazard stripe,
checkered, and clean room tapes
• PathFinder FLEX™ – Medium-duty for heavy foot and light
vehicle traffic. Choose from solid color, hazard stripe, and
shapes
• PathFinder RIGID™ – Heavy-duty for extreme forklift traffic Reflective stick-ons increase the visibility of moving machinery like
and pallet abuse. Choose from solid color, hazard stripe, forklifts.
and shapes

3     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com
IMPROVING SAFETY & EFFICIENCY
Floor marking doesn’t just improve safety; it makes a facility more efficient. This section examines some of the major ways floor
marking benefits an organization.

Improving Safety visible wayfinding cues. In addition to the types of floor

marking already discussed, this can include placards on
Floor marking makes a work area easier to understand,
walls or machinery providing operating procedures, signs
which in turn makes it safer. Some examples of how floor
with important reminders, equipment labels, and inventory
marking is used for safety are:
management labels.
Pedestrian “Keep Area Clear” Instituting a visual workplace is usually part of a
walkways identification comprehensive lean manufacturing and 5S initiative. By
Vehicular traffic Environmental placing critical workplace information at the point where it
paths hazards is most needed, manufacturing companies decrease waste,
increase productivity, improve safety, and manage risk.
Aisle Mechanical
marking hazards Floor marking is an important part of creating an effective
visual workplace.
Glow-in-the-dark Electrical
path markers hazards
Floor Marking & Wayfinding
Exit Noise Floor marking applications are part of a larger organizational
routes hazards philosophy called Wayfinding. Wayfinding encompasses all
Safety equipment/ Bumps, holes, other of the ways in which people orient themselves in a physical
PPE trip hazards space and navigate from one place to another. Wayfinding
principals are heavily used in public spaces such as airports,
Maintaining a clean and efficient work environment with hospitals, and even hiking trails.
floor marking applications also improves safety. For instance,
Wayfinding principals typically revolve around four stages:
having the floor marked with the proper locations for
equipment and tools makes it easier to keep clutter down 1. Orientation: The attempt to determine one’s location in
and decrease risk of injury. relation to nearby objects
Most industrial facilities already use floor marking for 2. Route Decision: The selection of a course of direction to
safety purposes. But most facilities haven’t spent time to a particular destination
maximize the impact of their floor marking. For example, 3. Route Monitoring: Checking to make sure the selected
one application that almost every facility could benefit from, route continues toward the right destination
but may not have implemented, is installing emergency exit
4. Destination Recognition: Confirming when the final
path markers that glow in the dark if the power goes out.
destination has been reached
PathFinder GLOW™ Floor Exit Markers are easy to install and
will guide people safely out of the building.

Floor marking is also a great opportunity to reinforce existing

safety information that a worker or visitor might have
forgotten or might not have noticed. These can be messages
or symbols already present on walls or equipment. Adding
them to the floor can reinforce those safety messages. For
instance, facilities can place PathFinder PRINT™ tape at
entrance ways with a “Required PPE” symbol marker or a
forklift traffic warning message.

Improving Efficiency
The term “visual workplace” is often used to describe an Use PathFinder floor signs to place critical workplace information at the
environment where workers or visitors can easily understand point where it is needed.
how an area operates by observing labels, signs, and other

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com    4
REGULATIONS & STANDARDS
Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents, and are a major cause of workplace fatalities,
according to OSHA. Motor vehicle collisions, especially including forklifts, also contribute heavily to injuries and deaths. Floor
marking can help reduce the risks of these accidents, but despite the risks involved, there aren’t many laws specifically requiring
the use of floor marking. Instead, there are many established guidelines and popular practices.

OSHA Requirements for Floor Marking Regulations on Color

Floor marking is not specifically required in any nation-wide
OSHA regulations. However, OSHA requires that all walking
and working surfaces are inspected periodically, and kept
clean, safe, and accessible (29 CFR §1910.22). Additionally,
where mechanical equipment such as forklifts are used, safe
clearances must be maintained, and permanent aisles and
passageways must be appropriately marked (§1910.176).
Floor marking is often a convenient and inexpensive step
toward meeting these requirements.
When using floor tape to mark aisles or lanes for forklift or
foot traffic, OSHA has some recommendations:
• The lines used to
delineate the aisles may
be any color so long
as they clearly define
the area considered as
aisle
As with floor marking, the use of a detailed color code is
not specifically required in any nation-wide law. OSHA’s
general color code for marking hazards, described in 29 CFR
§1910.144, only uses two different colors: red for “Danger”
(marking severe hazards), and yellow for “Caution” (marking
less severe hazards).
For other applications of color, looking to published industry
standards is a good starting point. The American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z535 sets out a
widely-adopted system for presenting safety and accident
prevention information. These best practices use red for
“Danger” and yellow for “Caution,” just like the OSHA color
code. They also use orange for “Warning” (for hazards that
are not as extreme as “Danger,” but are more serious than
“Caution” might imply). The ANSI Z535 standard also uses
green for safety messages and information, and blue for
notices that provide other, facility-specific information. While
these color assignments are described to be used on signs
and labels, the same general colors can be used for a variety
of other needs, such as floor marking.

• The recommended DANGER

width of aisle markings
varies from 2" to 6"
◦ To ensure
WARNING
maximum visibility,
any width 2" or
2"- 6"
CAUTION
more is considered
acceptable
SAFETY MESSAGES

• The recommended NOTICES

width of aisles is at
least 3' wider than the
largest equipment to be
utilized, or a minimum
of 4'
+3' While regulations are lacking, consistency is key. Maintaining
a consistent floor marking color system will ensure your
employees understand walking-working surfaces and
potential hazards on the job.

5     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com
 Regulations & standards

Marking with Glow-in-the-Dark Tape

Glow-in-the-dark labeling materials allow for clearly marked
exit pathways even in the event of power outages or smoky
conditions. This technology is becoming increasingly popular
in facilities. In some regions it is even legally required.

The technical name for “glow” materials is photoluminescent.

Phosphorescent tape is a specific kind of photoluminescent
tape that absorbs energy from a light source during normal
operating conditions and glows when that light source is
removed. The light that phosphorescent tape provides is not
enough to illuminate an area, but it is enough to make paths
and doors visible when lights go out.

In 2004, New York City approved a building code law that

made phosphorescent markings mandatory in emergency
stairwells and at exit doors of commercial high-rise buildings
Use PathFinder GLOW tape to mark exits so they can be seen in an
75 feet or taller. This was mainly a result of a report that emergency situation.
indicated that glow-in-the-dark markings in the World Trade
Center buildings played an important role in leading survivors
to safety.
International Code Council (ICC), the California Building Code
Since then, New York’s initiative has served as a model for (CABC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
similar revisions in other municipalities and organizations Make sure to check with the appropriate state, federal, or
across America, including the State of Connecticut, the other regulatory agency.

Use PathFinder GLOW tapes with DuraLabel

BoldGlo Phosphorescent tapes for a complete
facility egress solution.

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com    6
Regulations & standards

Widely Used Floor Marking Colors & Patterns

While there are no specific floor marking color requirements, the following is a color-coding guide popular in many facilities.

Keep in mind that this chart shows suggestions based on common uses. Your facility is free to create its own coloring and
formatting style for floor marking. Just remember that your color-coding choices should be easy-to-understand and consistent
across your organization.

FLOOR MARKING COLOR/PATTERN CHART

BLACK/GREEN/BLUE/PURPLE
YELLOW

Used for goods and materials

Commonly used for pedestrian and
management stages including raw
equipment traffic lanes, aisles and
materials, finished goods, and in-
pathways.
process manufacturing.

WHITE RED/WHITE STRIPING

Used for general production to border Identifies areas that need to be kept
machines, racks, workstations, and clear for safety such as equipment
equipment. operations, electrical panels, and exits.

RED BLACK/WHITE STRIPING

Often used as boundary for red tag Identifies areas that must be kept
areas, scrap, and defective inventory. clear for operations and workflow.

ORANGE BLACK/YELLOW STRIPING

For holding materials or products, Use in areas that present health

often for inspection. hazards and require extra caution.

7     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com
CHOOSING THE BEST FLOOR MARKING METHOD
There are two common floor marking methods: tape and paint. Advancement in adhesive tape technology and the amount of
work that painting requires are reasons why tape is becoming the preferred choice for most industrial applications.

Floor Marking Tape Traditional Paint

• Saves time—prep work consists • Involves extensive prep time

solely of cleaning the floor (cleaning, taping/or stenciling)

• Requires brushes, rollers, tape,

• Requires minimal tools to
paint, drop cloths, stencils, and
apply/install
PPE

• Demands ventilation, PPE, and

• No harsh fumes, keeping
possible facility shut-downs to
workers safe
mitigate fumes

• Risks spills, which are likely and

• No risk of spills
difficult to clean

• Ensures work continues

• Needs time to dry; application
uninterrupted, with no dry
will disrupt work for hours
time required

• Conforms to uneven surfaces,

• Involves treatment on uneven
including concrete, asphalt,
surfaces to accommodate paint
brick, and tile

• Does not require chemicals for • Involves harsh chemicals or

removal abrasive machines for removal

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com    8
CHOOSING THE BEST TAPE
All safety tapes are not created equal. Heavy vehicles like forklifts can put an immense amount of pressure and friction on the
floor. It’s important to choose floor tape durable enough to stand up to industrial levels of wear and tear.
PathFinder offers a line of floor marking, wayfinding, and
safety tapes to handle a range of diverse applications. The
product categories include: 5S tape, Aisle tape, Anti-Slip tape,
Reflective tape, Glow-in-the-Dark tape, Shapes, and Signs.
If you are in charge of implementing a floor marking project,
you should first conduct a facility inspection to see where you
could benefit from floor tape and what purpose you need the
tape for. Then compare your facility’s floor tape needs with
the characteristics of different tapes available to determine
which will work best for your facility.
Another method of determining the best tape solution for
your facility is to conduct a test by placing different types of
tape in several areas in your facility. Leave them for a few
weeks and see how they hold up during normal traffic. To
simulate harsher wear and tear, you could use a forklift to
rotate a tire on the tape.
Visit GraphicProducts.com/FM for the entire assortment of
PathFinder floor marking tapes and wayfinding solutions. Call
Graphic Products at 877-534-5157 for more information or to
request a free sample.
Types of PathFinder Tapes
RIGID™ Aisle Marking Tape
• Heavy-duty tape for heavy vehicle and foot
traffic
• Beveled edge prevents items from snagging
• Choose from solid color, hazard stripe, and
shapes
• Organize traffic flow and implement 5S
FLEX™ Aisle Marking Tape
• For heavy foot and light vehicle traffic
• Flexible to conform to uneven surfaces
• Choose from solid color, hazard stripe, and
shapes
• Mark pedestrian aisles, hazardous areas,
and storage locations
LITE™ 5S Marking Tape
• Multipurpose and cost-efficient
• Flexible material conforms to many
surfaces
• Choose from solid color, hazard stripe,
checkered, and clean room tapes
• Mark walls, floors, pipes, and equipment
9  
PRINT™ Aisle Marking Tape
• Preprinted floor tape enhances awareness
• Thick overlaminate extends service life
• Choose from preprinted messages or
customize
• Mark boundaries, warehouse traffic, and
PPE requirements
REFLECT™ Reflective Tape
• Add nighttime visibility in any environment
• Highly reflective for visibility from long
distances
• Choose from Engineer-grade to high-
intensity solid color, hazard stripe, and
DOT-certified shapes
• Ideal for vehicles, traffic signs, and
machinery
TREAD™ Anti-Slip Safety Tape
• Abrasive tape reduces slips and falls
anywhere
• Conforms to many surfaces, indoors and out
• Available in extra-coarse to non-abrasive
waterproof in solid color, hazard stripe, and
shapes for steps
• Mark stairs, ledges, and equipment
GLOW™ Safety Tape
• Add visibility in low light indoor areas, day
or night
• All tapes glow for 6+ hours
• Available in solid glow, hazard stripe,
preprinted, and anti-slip
• Mark emergency routes, railings, and stairs
Floor Signs
• Communicate safety info from the facility
floor
• Endures constant foot, forklift, and heavy
equipment traffic
• Choose from premade messages or
customize
• Mark entryways, exits, and vehicle traffic
  877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com
FLOOR MARKING

BUNDLES 50 ft. Tape & Sign Bundle

sku: PFHD3-EPC-50

100 ft. Tape & Sign Bundle

Take safety to the floor. Instantly alert sku: PFHD3-EPC-100
personnel to life-saving equipment and
important areas in your facility.

Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking &
2-way Sign 2-way Sign 2-way Sign 2-way Sign
sku: PFHD3-FEX2 sku: PFHD3-SDS2 sku: PFHD3-SK2 sku: PFHD3-FAK2

Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking &
3-way Sign 3-way Sign 3-way Sign 3-way Sign
sku: PFHD3-FEX3 sku: PFHD3-SDS3 sku: PFHD3-SK3 sku: PFHD3-FAK3
Floor Marking Floor Marking Floor Marking Floor Marking
sku: PFHD3-FEX sku: PFHD3-SDS sku: PFHD3-SK sku: PFHD3-FAK

Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking &
2-way Sign 2-way Sign 2-way Sign 2-way Sign
sku: PFHD3-FEX2-GLO sku: PFHD3-EWS2 sku: PFHD3-FE2 sku: PFHD3-AED2

Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking & Floor Marking &
3-way Sign 3-way Sign 3-way Sign 3-way Sign
sku: PFHD3-FEX3-GLO sku: PFHD3-EWS3 sku: PFHD3-FE3 sku: PFHD3-AED3
Floor Marking Floor Marking Floor Marking Floor Marking
sku: PFHD3-FEX-GLO sku: PFHD3-EWS sku: PFHD3-FE sku: PFHD3-AED

GLOW IN THE DARK

50 ft. Tape & 50 ft. Tape &

Sign Bundle Sign Bundle
sku: PFHD3-PJP sku: PHFD3-FP

CONTACT US TODAY!  877-534-5157  | GraphicProducts.com/FM

TIPS ON FLOOR MARKING
Floor marking appears to be a simple procedure, and it’s tempting to start applying tape immediately. But it is important
to spend some time creating a plan and weighing your options. This will ensure you get the best results for your facility and
workers. Find more information and helpful videos at GraphicProducts.com/FM.

Applying Floor Marking Tape Watch Floor Tape Instructional Video:

GraphicProducts.com/floorinstall
If not applied correctly, even the best floor marking tape can
peel off too quickly. This is usually because the floor was not
cleaned adequately. The following steps will help ensure you
get the best results:

1. Decide on where you want floor marking applied. Remove

materials and equipment from the section of the floor that
will be taped.
2. Sweep the floor to remove debris.
3. Clean the floor thoroughly with soap and water*. If residue
remains on the floor, use a non-citrus based cleaner**
(like isopropyl alcohol) to remove it. Let the floor dry.
4. If long straight lines are needed, use a length of string,
laser pointer, or chalk line as a reference line.
5. Move down the reference line a few feet at a time, pulling
back the liner (if one is present), tacking the tape down as
you go. Do not apply the tape over the line, keep it to the
side. Move the reference line down as you go and use a tamping device to
6. Apply the tape evenly to ensure its adhesive fully bonds ensure adhesive bonds to the surface.
to the floor. This can be done with a dedicated tamping
device or with any heavy rolling object that presses the
tape down, like a forklift wheel.
Removing Floor Marking Tape
Your facility may require renovation or your production
Repairing Floor Marking Tape workflow may change; using tape makes it easier to alter
If a portion of the floor tape has been damaged, follow these your floor marking to match new situations. The following
steps: are steps used to remove floor marking tape easily, without
making a mess.
1. Use a razor blade to make cuts on either side of the
damaged portion. Ensure the cuts run all the way through 1. Use a putty knife or razor blade to lift up the edge of the
the tape in the width direction and try to make them as tape.
straight as possible.
2. Pull the tape up slowly at a 90° or greater angle.
2. Remove the damaged area.
3. Be sure to pull the tape up evenly so that equal force is
3. Clean the floor thoroughly with soap and water*. If residue applied across the width of the tape. If there is unequal
remains on the floor, use a non-citrus based cleaner** force on one part of the tape, it will be more likely to tear
(like isopropyl alcohol) to remove it. off in strips instead of coming off in one piece.
4. Cut off a piece of floor marking tape to replace the 4. Clean the floor thoroughly with soap and water*. If residue
damaged area. Ensure that the length of the replacement remains on the floor, use a non-citrus based cleaner**
piece matches the length of the damaged area to be (like isopropyl alcohol) to remove it.
sectioned out.
5. Replace the damaged area with the new piece. * If grease or oils are present use a degreaser, instead of soap and water,
6. Apply pressure to the new piece of tape to ensure the to clean floors. Then use IPA to remove any residue left behind from the
degreaser.
adhesive bonds to the floor.
** Citrus-based cleaners may reduce the lifespan of your floor tape.

11     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com

 Tips on floor marking

General Tips
Here are some recognized best practices:

Don’t use the color chosen for pathways for

Plan the locations of your floor markings
other floor marking applications; that could
extensively before placing the first piece of
cause confusion about the correct path to
tape.
take.

Don’t cover up important items located on

Encourage worker suggestions for floor
the floor.
marking improvements.
(Like an access door or electrical outlet.)

In some instances, corner markers may be

Use as few colors as possible to avoid used to identify an area.
confusion. (For example, if you were marking off a box where product was intended
to be stacked, you could use corner markers to show the edges of the
square instead of using continuous tape for the entire outline.)

Choose colors and color patterns that will be

easy to recognize and easy to tell apart. This
Train all workers on the new color code system.
usually means using contrasting colors and
simple patterns.

Don’t choose colors and color patterns that are

Post your floor marking color code system in
too close to existing safety markings because
an accessible location.
that may confuse workers.

Premade Signs and Labels

For even clearer communication, expand on your
floor marking with premade signs and labels.
Choose the size and material that meets your need.

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com/premade

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com     12
SAMPLE FLOOR PLAN
Here is a sample facility floor plan that shows some real-world applications of floor marking and color-coding.

18 14
16 15 12
17 13 11

10

9
3 8

7
6

1 5
4

Floor Marking Applications

1. Purple Tape - Finished Goods 10. Red/White Stripe - Keep Clear Area
2. White Tape - 5S Cart Storage 11. Stop Sign for Traffic
3. Blue Tape - Part Organization 12. Black/Yellow Stripe - Hazardous Area
4. Printable Tape - Traffic Marking 13. Yellow Tape - Traffic Flow
5. White Tape - Work Area 14. Black/White Stripe - Keep Clear Area
6. Green Tape - Part Organization 15. Black/Yellow Stripe - Electrical Area
7. Black Tape - Part Organization 16. Green Tape - Safety Area
8. Yellow Tape - Pallet Storage 17. Footprint Cutouts
9. T's & Corners 18. Glow-in-the-Dark Floor Marking

13     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com

FACILITY FLOOR MARKING INSPECTION
Is it possible your facility might benefit from new or more extensive floor marking? Walk around your facility and complete this
inspection sheet. Your answers will give you ideas for improving your facility’s floor marking.

QUESTIONS ANSWERS/COMMENTS
General

Does your facility have floor markings already in place?

Does your facility have a consistent, facility-wide

color-coding system for its floor marking?

Are the chosen colors and color patterns easy to recognize

and easy to tell apart?

Are the floor markings faded, torn or scuffed? Or are they

in good shape?

If the floor marking includes text, are the words legible?

Are workers trained on what your facility’s visual

communication system is?

Safety: Traffic Routes

Are exit routes clearly marked so that workers will know
where to go in the event of an emergency?

Are glow-in-the-dark materials used for exit route markings

and signs?

Are pedestrian walkways clearly marked?

Are pathways and areas of operation for vehicles

(e.g. forklifts, overhead cranes) clearly marked?

Do pedestrian walkways minimize interaction with

vehicular traffic?

Are traffic intersections clearly marked?

Safety: Marking Hazards

Does hazardous equipment have floor marking indicating
dangerous areas?

Does hazardous electrical equipment have floor marking

indicating its hazard boundaries?

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com     14
Facility floor marking inspection

Safety: Marking Hazards (cont.)

Do areas where hazardous material containers or
compressed gas cylinders are stored have floor marking
indicating the hazards present?

Do any other potentially-hazardous areas of the facility

have floor marking to indicate the danger?

Are there areas where corrosive chemicals are present?

Will these areas require more durable floor marking
materials?

Do fire extinguishers, safety showers, first aid stations, etc.,

have floor markings around them that prevent people from
blocking those areas?

Are there any areas with frequent injuries or

near-misses that could benefit from floor marking?

Organization/Efficiency
Are there problems with wasted time due to workers not
knowing where equipment, tools, materials or products
are located?

Are there outlines used to mark the location of portable

equipment and tools?

For stacking or storage of materials, is there a floor

marking system in place that allows workers to easily tell
the materials apart?

Do areas that must remain open for workflow purposes

have floor marking that communicates that?

Miscellaneous
Are there areas where worker errors frequently occur?
Could those areas benefit from additional visual
communication in the form of floor marking?

Are there areas where there is frequent lost time due

to worker confusion? Could those areas benefit from
floor marking?

Are there areas where floor marking could be used to

communicate an often overlooked rule or situation?
(Example: “Caution: crane operates in this area.”)

Are there small floor-located items (e.g. electrical outlets,

access doors) that could be made more visible with floor
marking?

15     877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com

WHY CHOOSE PATHFINDER?
In this guide you’ve learned the importance of floor marking and some of the ways it is used to increase workplace safety and
efficiency.

A Trusted Source
PathFinder floor marking, wayfinding, and safety tape is a
brand of Graphic Products, a trusted leader in providing
solutions for safety and visual communication since 1970.
If you are beginning a floor marking project at your facility,
it’s important to consider all of your options. There are
many tapes and accessories to choose from and they are
not all created equal. To get the best results, use a trusted
brand that offers a wide variety of tapes for many types of
applications.

For a complete list of PathFinder tapes and accessories,

visit GraphicProducts.com/FM.

More from Graphic Products

Graphic Products also has a huge catalog of visual
communication solutions for any facility project, including our
popular DuraLabel line of industrial label and sign printers.
We have expert customer support staff available for any type
of question. Give us a call at 877-534-5157 or visit us at PathFinder floor marking tapes lead you down a path of safety.
GraphicProducts.com.

Look to Graphic Products for the most

advanced safety solutions & services!

Keeping you Safe Since 1970

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com

Graphic Products®, DuraLabel®, PathFinder®, Toro®, Bronco®, Lobo® and Kodiak® are Registered Trademarks of Graphic Products, Inc. ©2013, 2020. Graphic Products, Inc. grants a
limited revocable right to reuse portions of the material contained herein for non-commercial, internal, and educational/training use. Any use beyond that described here requires the
written consent of Graphic Products, Inc. Licensee agrees to reproduce the Trademark, Copyright, and Legal disclaimers in all works created under this license.

877-534-5157 | GraphicProducts.com     16
PUT YOU AND YOUR WORKERS ON

THE PATH TO SAFETY

Use PathFinder floor tapes
and wayfinding products to
communicate hazards and
organize your facility. Floor
marking communicates
aisles, walkways, and
hazards in the workplace.

Protect, organize, and direct with products

designed to withstand the everyday abuse of
rugged and demanding environments.

• High quality materials, durable tapes

• Easy to apply
• Widest selection of tapes available
• Custom options to meet your needs

FLOOR MARKING, WAYFINDING, & SAFETY TAPE

by Graphic Products, Inc.

CONTACT US TODAY TO GET STARTED

ON YOUR FLOOR MARKING PROJECT!
877-534-5157 l GraphicProducts.com/FM
05/20