Floor Graphics: Where They Work and What to Ask Before You Order
People look down more than you'd think. Floor graphics catch attention in places walls and windows can't, and they can guide people where you want them to go.
Where floor graphics work best
- Lobbies: a logo at the entrance that every visitor walks over
- Retail: product callouts, sale graphics, and aisle markers near the shelf
- Wayfinding: arrows and paths in hospitals, offices, schools, and large buildings
- Schools: mascot and spirit graphics in hallways and entrances
- Events and trade shows: branded booth floors that go down fast and come up after
- Safety: queue lines, spacing markers, and caution areas
Safety comes first
A floor graphic is a walking surface. It should be finished with an anti-slip laminate made for floors. That laminate also protects the print from foot traffic, carts, and cleaning.
Which floors work?
- Sealed concrete, tile, and vinyl flooring: the most common and usually the simplest
- Carpet: needs a specialty film
- Rough concrete and outdoor surfaces: need specialty films made for those conditions
- Worn, dirty, or uneven floors: may need prep, or a different spot
The floor has to be checked before a film is chosen.
Short-term or long-term?
Event and promotional graphics are usually made to come up clean after a short run. Longer-term graphics, like a lobby logo, use more durable materials. How long the graphic will stay down decides the film.
Questions to ask before you order
- What type of floor is it, and how is it finished?
- How much foot traffic does it get?
- How long should the graphic stay down?
- How is the floor cleaned?
- Will carts, pallets, or equipment roll over it?
Pair it with walls and windows
Floor graphics work best as part of a full space: a lobby logo on the floor, a brand wall behind reception, and frosted glass in the conference room.