When driving on city roads or highways, you can see various white or yellow markings. These markings are important traffic safety facilities, including different shapes of lines, arrows, warning messages, convex markings, raised pavement markings, and contour lines. Road markings not only regulate and direct traffic but also work in conjunction with road signs.
So, how are different types of markings made? In this article, we will discuss three methods for making road markings, using arrows as an example.
Mark arrows, numbers, or letters using stencils
First, make an arrow or letter stencil out of metal or other materials that are the same size as the one that needs to be painted on the road surface. Place it on the road surface and then push the cutting part of the road marking machine’s paint model. Carefully lift the stencil, being careful not to smudge the wet paint.
Precisely measure & pre-mark the arrows, numbers, or letters
Measure precise data and mark the arrow’s position on the road surface in advance, and then the operator pushes the road marking machine to paint. First, paint the rectangular area, then cover the outer space triangle area with a board to avoid going over the arrow.
Marking Letters on Concrete or Asphalt Road Surface – Best Practice
Check the video below to know how to paint letters on concrete or asphalt road surface:
Step 1: Position and Premark Outlines
- Confirm each letter’s exact placement on the road surface.
- Stretch a chalk line or use a premarking tool to draw straight baselines and letter outlines.
- Check alignment and spacing before moving on.
Reasons to premark:
- Ensures tidy, precise letter layout
- Prevents skewed, overlapping, or uneven letters
- Allows advance planning of content length and font size
- Saves time by avoiding costly rework
Step 2: Apply Road Marking Primer for Better Adhesion
- Roll or brush a uniform coat of primer over the premarked areas.
- Focus especially on asphalt, concrete, smooth, or weathered surfaces.
Why priming matters:
- Boosts adhesion between road and paint
- Blocks moisture and dust for better thermoplastic bonding
- Prevents peeling or flaking
- Extends the lifespan of your markings
Step 3: Heat the Thermoplastic Paint
- Load paint into a hot-melt kettle and heat to 180–220 °C.
- Use the kettle’s temperature gauge and stirrer to maintain an even, fluid mix.
Key benefits of proper heating:
- Ensures smooth, consistent flow during application
- Avoids poor film formation (if underheated)
- Prevents burning, bubbling, and degraded quality (if overheated)
Step 4: Fill the Outlines
- With road-marking equipment (e.g., spray machine or string-line rocker), carefully fill each premarked outline.
- Maintain steady movement to achieve uniform thickness and crisp edges.
Why this method works:
- Delivers clean, symmetrical letters without expensive stencils
- Saves both time and materials
- Offers flexibility in font sizes and styles
- Produces durable, professional-grade markings
By following these four clear steps—positioning, priming, heating, and filling—you’ll create accurate, long-lasting road letter markings that stand up to traffic and weather.
Using road marking tape for road markings
High-quality road marking tape with strong adhesion can be used on concrete or asphalt surfaces and has long-lasting effects outdoors. Pull out the tape and cut it into pieces and reassemble it into an arrow, letter, or number shape.
All three methods shared above can be used to make arrow lines or other types of traffic markings. Choose the method according to actual needs and applications.
