Frequently asked questions
Our Markings
We offer a range of thermoplastic markings including playground games, sports courts, car park and road markings.
All our markings are made from preformed thermoplastic. This is a material specifically designed to provide an ultra-durable finish – significantly longer than paint.
Thermoplastic markings have many benefits over painted markings.
- Available in 26 different colours.
- CNC cut to enable complex designs.
- Uniform thickness.
- Built-in glass bead to provide a high slip resistance.
- Pre-cut designs can quickly be installed with perfect precision.
- UV resistant – the colours won’t fade.
- The product is non-toxic and contains no lead or chromate.
Preformed thermoplastic is very durable and providing it is installed correctly, comes with a 4 year guarantee against wear. On a drive-thru for example, we would expect it to last at least this period. On a playground where it only gets foot traffic, it has been known to last between 10–20 years – up to 10 times longer than paint!
Our preformed thermoplastic has a slip-resistance standard of 65. To ensure initial slip resistance we recommend adding more glass bead on installation.
Our thermoplastic markings are available in 26 different colours.
All our markings begin as a computer-made design, created by one of our in-house graphic designers. Once the design has been checked and the team are happy, we prepare the file for cutting. Our state-of-the-art waterjet cutting machine uses a very thin but extremely powerful jet of water to cut out the design. With a tolerance of under +- 1mm, the cutting is exceptionally accurate.
Once the markings have been cut, our warehouse team puts the pieces together, before packaging them up ready for delivery.
Yes. We work on bespoke projects all the time. It can be anything from a custom symbol, through to 20,000 bespoke letters. Whatever the size or complexity of your project, contact us for a bespoke quotation and accurate lead times.
At SOPM, we specialise in providing great value playground markings to the trade. We work closely with a number of playground marking installers across the UK, so please let us know and we will put you in touch with one.
Yes, preformed thermoplastic tends to stiffen in lower temperatures. When exposed to cold environments, it can lose flexibility, making it feel more brittle and potentially more likely to break if bent or mishandled before installation. This behaviour is typical of thermoplastic materials, which are designed to become pliable when heated and solidify as they cool.
Refer to the installation FAQs below for tips on managing the material in various temperature conditions.
Installation
If you have any experience in road or playground marking, then the answer is yes. They are a lot easier than hand drawing or using stencils to apply.
If you have never installed thermoplastic markings before, then we would recommend you undertake some training prior to attempting it. Whilst it’s not rocket science, if you get it wrong you could end up with a marking which hasn’t properly bonded to the surface and an unhappy customer. For further advice contact us.
To successfully install the markings, follow our simple step-by-step instructions;
- Clean the area where the new marking is going, free from any debris.
- Mark out the design using a string line and chalk – the measurements will be provided on a specification sheet for each game.
- Prime the area where the new marking is going and wait for it to dry.
- Lay out the new marking, making sure it’s exactly as per the specification sheet.
- Heat the marking until it is molten to create a bond to the surface.
- Sprinkle additional glass bead over the top for initial slip resistance.
For more detailed instructions and a demonstration video, see our How to Install guide.
Everyone has to start from somewhere and we’re more than happy to help if you’re looking to start installing markings. Contact us and we’ll provide you with useful training to give you the knowledge and skills needed.
We recommend that primer is used on any surface that is more than a year old. This helps seal the surface and extends the lifespan of the marking.
The preformed thermoplastic we supply has a built-in glass bead which helps provide a high level of slip resistance. When you melt the marking to the ground, the glass bead sinks into the material so even as it wears down it maintains an anti-slip surface. We always recommend that additional glass bead is sprinkled on top of the marking around 15 seconds after you have finished heating it to provide initial slip resistance.
If the existing markings are well worn, haven’t failed, and there’s not much of it remaining, then it is usually ok to do this. Otherwise, we wouldn’t recommend it. The new marking will only bond with whatever it’s placed on top of – this ideally should be tarmac to ensure it lasts. If the new markings are heated to existing thermoplastic which is failing and hasn’t bonded properly to the tarmac, then it’s likely to take your lovely new marking up with it.
Existing markings can be re-melted and scraped down to a level surface, although, this only works if you are covering it completely. If you want it removed professionally, you can speak to our sister removals company, TPMR Ltd, who can thoroughly vapour blast the markings off for you.
We are always on hand to offer advice so if you are working on an existing project and would like some guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
New tarmac needs time to settle before installing new markings onto it. This is particularly important when a small stone size is used in the tarmac, which is common for school playgrounds. We recommend leaving a minimum of 6-8 weeks before installing markings onto new tarmac.
To avoid damaging the material, always keep the boxes flat and handle them gently, particularly in cold conditions when the thermoplastic is more fragile.
For best results, keep the markings in a warmer storage and let them reach a suitable temperature before applying them. Slightly warming the pieces ahead of installation can help regain their flexibility and minimise the chance of cracking.
Delivery
We deliver to anywhere in the UK and internationally!
We’re working on a simple and easy way for our overseas customers to be able to order from our website. Currently this is not available online but please send us an enquiry detailing what you would like to order along with the delivery address and we will put a quotation together for you.
Delivery for small items under 10kg that can fit into a box approx. 45cm x 30cm x 15cm in size is £15.
Orders between £100 – £499 that require a pallet cost £70 to deliver. Orders between £500 – £999 cost £35 to deliver.
Delivery is FREE for orders of £1,000 or more!
*Charges may apply on hazardous goods.
Order before 12pm and your products will be shipped the very next day (weekdays only). All deliveries are then on a next day service. For example, order before 12pm on Monday and your order will be delivered on Wednesday. Order after 12pm on Monday to receive your order on Thursday.
Standard delivery windows are between 8am-6pm.
Yes. We are based in Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire and welcome collection of your order. Just let us know in advance and we will have it all boxed up or palletised, ready for you at an agreed date and time.
All orders are carefully packed in flat boxes, and larger shipments are secured on pallets to help prevent damage during transit. Smaller items weighing less than 10kg may be shipped in compact boxes for convenience.
Orders
Our minimum order value is £100 + VAT.
There is no maximum order, we can provide thermoplastic markings for very large projects.
If your order is urgent then contact us – to let us know. We will be able to let you know what we can do to bring the delivery date forward for you. Often this is achievable.
This will depend on what we are making. If it’s one of our standard games, these can often be made within an hour or two. Larger bespoke orders will take longer so contact us to discuss your project and we can give an accurate timeframe.
A lot of our markings are made to order; therefore, we ask for payment to be made in advance. Products will not be shipped until payment has cleared.
We accept payment in any of the following ways;
- By card online.
- By Bank Transfer to account no. 54772370 and sort code 52-41-32.
Your order will be processed on receipt of payment.
Here are our terms of business.
Returns
You can return any of our standard pre-made in stock markings. Though, we are unable to accept returns for bespoke or made to order products. Terms and conditions apply.
Any items which are made-to-order, bespoke or in our clearance section are all non-returnable.
In stock, standard designs can be exchanged for a credit note to be used towards any other purchases from us. Credit notes are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
If you would like to submit a return, please contact us on 0800 0614242 so we can advise.
- All items must be in their original, unopened, undamaged and resalable condition.
- You are responsible for getting the markings back to us.
- A 20% restocking fee is chargeable.
- We do not refund the cost of shipping. If you received shipping free of charge, we will make a deduction of £50 from the refundable amount to cover this cost.
In the event something is missing from your order, we will happily put this right as quickly as we can. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can resolve the issue for you.
Pricing
We are one of the UK’s largest suppliers of playground markings and are always adapting our processes to make us as efficient as possible so we can pass the savings onto you. From our in-house design team who optimise each and every thermoplastic sheet we cut through, to our industry leading waterjet cutting machine – cutting up to 10 games at a time!
Let us know! We only use the highest quality and most durable preformed thermoplastic material and we’re confident we provide the best value.
All prices listed on our website are exclusive of VAT.
If you have a project which requires markings that aren’t listed on our website then please contact us. We can turn quotations around very quickly, even for some of the more complex projects.
Working Together
We’d love to work with any business, big or small, and can provide support in a range of different ways, from producing custom branded product brochures and providing marketing material and imagery, to creating playground visuals and assisting with bespoke projects. You could even save 50% on your first order!
Whether you’re a small company just starting out and looking to expand, or a major organisation in the industry looking to increase business potential, we’d love the chance to work together. Contact us to see how we can help!
At SOPM, we specialise in providing great value playground markings to the trade. We work closely with a number of playground marking installers across the UK, so please let us know and we will put you in touch with one.
Great. We would love to hear from you. We are happy to work with resellers across the world and our products and designs can be adapted for different countries. Contact us so we can discuss what you are looking to achieve and see how we can work together.
Still have a question you would like to ask? Contact us – and we’ll be happy to help.