Floor graphics are a great marketing tool for short-term promotions and helping your customers promote their brand at every touch point; however, COVID-19 has forced business owners to think creatively about how they can shift their focus from only using floor graphics for promotional purposes to also using them for social distancing and wayfinding messaging, which has become the expectation during COVID-19 and most likely beyond.

To help your customers navigate this uncertain environment, we have provided recommendations for safely choosing the right product for the right application as well as maintenance under increased floor cleaning conditions.

Interior Floor Graphics

Signage is not just about communicating information, but presenting it in a way that reinforces a brand. Some businesses have been seen using painter’s tape for wayfinding and social distancing. In a pinch, it might get the job done. But it’s not an approach that screams confidence and trustworthiness. In addition to signaling customers and employees that the business does not have a carefully thought-out plan, painter’s tape comes with its own set of safety risks, from peeling to trip hazards. Investing in a high quality, durable floor graphic will help prevent future maintenance headaches, minimize safety hazards, and position the business in a more respectable light.

When choosing a base film and overlaminate for interior floor graphics, consider the type of surface to which it will be applied, the amount of traffic it will encounter and the location in which it will be installed. The surface type will determine which base film to use while the amount of traffic and the location will determine the overlaminate, which plays a particularly important role in providing slip resistance. One industry standard, the UL 410 Standard for Slip Resistance of Floor Surface Materials, covers the testing of floor and finishing materials to determine if the static coefficients of friction meet or exceed a certain level.

3M™ Controltac™ Print Film 40C-10R is a commonly found base film that can be used on just about any interior surface ranging from waxed vinyl to carpet. For low-traffic areas, it is often paired with 3M™ Scotchcal™ Luster Overlaminate 8509 to provide slip resistance. For high-traffic areas prone to moisture, such as the interior side of an entry point, 40C-10R should be paired with a more durable overlaminate with a higher coefficient of friction such as 3M™ Scotchcal™ Matte Overlaminate 3647 -- which will help it stand up to the increased foot traffic. 3M Overlaminates 8509, 8050M, 8550M, 3645 and 3647 all meet the minimum UL 410 Slip Resistance requirements for floor surfaces.

Below is a recommended list of base films and overlaminates for interior floor surfaces. For carpet, the recommended base films are 40C or 48C.

Recommended Base Films

• 3M™ Controltac™ Print Film 40C-10R/20R
• 3M™ Controltac™ Graphic Film with Comply™ Adhesive IJ160C-10
• 3M™ Envision™ Print Film 48C-20R
• 3M Controltac™ Graphic Film with Comply™ v3 Adhesive IJ180Cv3

Recommended Overlaminates for high-traffic

• 3M™ Scotchcal™ Luster Overlaminate 3645
• 3M™ Scotchcal™ Matte Overlaminate 3647

Recommended Overlaminates for low-traffic

• 3M™ Scotchcal™ Luster Overlaminate 8509
• 3M™ Envision™ Matte Overlaminate 8050M
• 3M™ Envision™ Matte Wrap Overlaminate 8550M

Surface Types

• Waxed vinyl
• Sealed concrete
• Marble
• Ceramic tile
• Sealed wood
• Terrazzo

Exterior Floor Graphics

Heavy foot traffic as well as exposure to the elements requires exterior floor graphics to be extremely durable. Whereas some products such as 3M™ Scotchcal™ Luster Overlaminate 8509 are designed specifically for interior use only, the durability of exterior products such as 3M™ Scotchcal™ Matte Overlaminate 3647 means it can be used for exterior applications as well. Regardless of the application, an edge sealer should be used with all interior and exterior products during installation to prevent the edges from lifting over time. Below is a recommended list of base films and overlaminates for exterior surfaces.

Recommended Base Film

• 3M™ Scotchcal™ Graphic Film 3662-10

Recommended Overlaminate

• 3M™ Scotchcal™ Matte Overlaminate 3647

Surface Types

• Concrete
• Asphalt