Floor graphics: a practical guide to floor stickers

Floor graphics are one of the most useful and most overlooked spaces in any shop, office or venue. People look down as they walk, queue and browse, so well placed floor stickers get noticed without adding clutter to walls or windows.

We first wrote about floor stickers in 2020, when we made anti-slip social distancing floor stickers for businesses reopening their doors. The principles behind those stickers apply to every floor graphic, so we have rewritten this guide to cover the lot. If you are planning a shop refit or promotion, our shop installs, pop-ups and POS page shows the wider picture.

What floor graphics are used for

A floor sticker is a printed vinyl graphic with a protective laminate on top, made to be walked on. The uses go far beyond queue markers.

• Wayfinding: arrows, coloured lines and footprints that lead people to reception, a lift, a ward or a fitting room.
• Queue markers: spots and lines that show where to stand at tills, counters and service points.
• Promotions: a big graphic in front of a product display, pointing straight at the offer.
• Safety markings: keep clear zones, pedestrian routes, step warnings and areas around doors.
• Events and exhibitions: branded stand floors, sponsor logos and directions around a venue.
• Branding: a logo at the entrance or a pattern that runs through a reception area.

Wayfinding on the floor works especially well alongside wall and hanging signs. Our interior signs and wayfinding page covers how the two work together.

Anti-slip laminates and why they matter

A printed vinyl on its own is smooth, and a smooth surface underfoot can be slippery, especially when wet. That is why floor graphics need an anti-slip laminate on top. The laminate protects the print from wear and gives the surface a textured finish that helps shoes grip.

How slip resistance is described

In the UK, the pendulum test is the method the Health and Safety Executive prefers for measuring how slippery a floor is. It produces a Pendulum Test Value, or PTV. A PTV of 36 or above counts as low slip potential, which is what you want in areas the public walks on, wet or dry.

When you choose a floor laminate, look for one that is made and tested for floor use, and ask how its slip resistance has been tested. A standard gloss or matt laminate meant for wall graphics is not suitable for floors.

Which floors floor stickers suit

Floor graphics need a smooth, hard, sealed surface to stick to properly. The flatter and cleaner the floor, the better the result.

Floor type	Suitable?	Notes
Vinyl and safety flooring	Yes	Smooth and sealed, ideal for floor stickers
Sealed concrete and resin	Yes	Must be clean and free of dust
Polished stone and ceramic tiles	Yes	Grout lines can show through thin vinyl
Sealed wood and laminate	Yes	Check the finish is sound first
Carpet	Only with specialist materials	Standard floor vinyl will not stick
Rough or dusty concrete	No	Graphics lift and wear quickly

Carpet needs a different material designed to grip carpet fibres, and it suits short-term use. For anything permanent on carpet, a printed mat is often a better choice.

Short-term vs long-term floor graphics

Think about how long the graphic needs to last before choosing materials. A two week promotion and a permanent wayfinding route need different things.

Short-term

Promotions, events and seasonal campaigns use a removable adhesive, so the graphic lifts cleanly when the campaign ends. This keeps the floor undamaged and makes swapping designs easy.

Long-term

Permanent wayfinding, safety markings and branding use a more aggressive adhesive and a tougher laminate. These handle constant foot traffic, trolleys and regular cleaning. Even long-term floor graphics wear in the busiest spots, so plan to check them and replace any that are scuffed or lifting.

Outdoor pavement graphics

Floor graphics also work outside, on pavements, forecourts, car parks and paved areas at events. Outdoor graphics use materials made for rough surfaces, which fitters press into the texture of concrete or tarmac so they hold on through weather and footfall.

Outdoors there are a few extra things to think about. Wet weather makes slip resistance even more important. The surface has to be dry and clean when the graphic is applied. And if the graphic goes on a public pavement rather than your own land, you need permission from whoever is responsible for it, which is usually the local council.

Fitting and cleaning floor stickers

A floor graphic is only as good as the surface under it. Before fitting, the floor needs to be clean, dry and free from polish residue, grease and dust. Fresh floor polish or wax can stop the adhesive bonding, so let the floor settle after a deep clean before applying graphics.

Once fitted, floor stickers are easy to look after:

• Mop with a damp mop and a mild, neutral cleaner.
• Avoid harsh solvents and abrasive pads, which damage the laminate.
• Keep scrubbing machines and heavy brushes off the graphic where possible.
• Do not apply floor polish or sealant over the top.
• Check edges regularly and replace any sticker that starts to lift, as a curled edge is a trip hazard.

Tips for designing floor graphics

Floor graphics are seen from above and from an angle, by people on the move. Keep them simple.

• Use bold shapes and few words. A clear arrow beats a sentence.
• Make text large enough to read standing up, from a few steps away.
• Use strong contrast against the floor colour.
• Think about which way people approach, so text reads the right way up for them.
• Use rounded corners, which are less likely to catch and lift than sharp points.

Before committing to a full set, print one graphic and lay it on the floor where it will go. Walk towards it from each direction, look at it from the till or the doorway, and check it does not clash with existing floor markings. Ten minutes of testing on site saves reprinting a whole run.

Planning floor graphics for your space?

We design, print and fit floor graphics for shops, offices and venues, from a single promotional sticker to a full wayfinding route. See our shop installs, pop-ups and POS page or call our studio on 01296 399202 to talk it through.