Laying Down Your Logo on Polished Concrete
Nothing says “brand recognition” like a logo on your commercial floor. Learn how the pros add a logo on concrete.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s possible to install a logo on a polished concrete floor
- There are two options worth considering
- The one you select depends on how you want the floor to look
- Adding a logo on concrete won’t always perfectly replicate your company’s color palette
Concrete is finally coming to be viewed by an increasing number of businesses as more than a monochrome material. Our earlier blog examined some of the top decorative trends for 2022 and spotlighted just how versatile and visually dynamic concrete can be. It doesn’t stop at eye-catching colors and patterns, either.
Concrete surfaces can also be the perfect canvas to showcase your company’s logo. Concreate’s experts know all about making your chosen symbol an attractive part of polished concrete flooring (check out a couple of examples in these first two photos). Here are the two methods of logo placement we can use to make a floor the foundation of your brand identity.
Option 1 – The template format
The simplest method of adding a logo on concrete is creating a large template of the design and effectively sandwiching it between two layers of coating. The first layer will be put down, then the client and contractor will decide on just the right spot for the logo placement. The contractor will then position and fix it in place before applying a clear, protective coating to guard against damage.
Finding the right protective treatment for your logo is essential to keeping it as pristine and resilient as possible. You can learn more about this process from our chat with Nick Savage, an expert in the field who breaks down how your site’s environment, regulations, and more will dictate the best type of sealer for a surface.
Choosing the template format gives clients more control over the exact look of their floor logo. After all, it’s not being created by the contractor because it already exists and simply needs to be sealed in. This embedding method can also go a lot further than logos. Some companies choose to insert physical items related to their business model directly into their concrete. You might consider doing the same to enhance the space around a logo.
There’s a second method of logo placement available that’s more complex. This approach is a little less predictable in terms of the final visual appearance, but it can still deliver some excellent results.
Option 2 – Sandblasting and staining
This option really makes the logo part of your floor by having the design etched into the mechanically polished concrete using a sandblaster. This creates a natural look, as if your logo was always ingrained in the material. Color can be added by staining the concrete either before or after the etching takes place.
Staining can be particularly delicate work, depending on the complexity of your logo and its color scheme. It’s essentially a four-step process that starts with cleaning and preparing the surface, which can involve grinding, shot blasting, or hydroblasting. From there, the stain is applied and then neutralized if acid is involved (which means rinsing off any residue produced by the stain using ammonia, baking soda, or trisodium phosphate) before finally sealing when the staining is dry.
Surface staining can be acid-based or water-based, and the one you choose will affect the outcome. Acid staining is the more unpredictable of the two because the results will vary from slab to slab depending on the concrete’s porosity, age, and blend. Acids also effectively limit the available color palette to earth tones, which still allows for quite a wide range of warm and cool shades, which may be just what your logo requires.
Water-based staining doesn’t require neutralization and creates a broader color palette. It also gives clients more control over the intensity of their logo’s colors. Diluting water-based stains will weaken the tones for a smokier, lighter shade, while adding less water will give the colors a stronger visual punch. You can also add repeated layers of stain to make colors bolder.
Leaving a good impression on your floor can impress visitors; however, property owners must be aware that adding a logo isn’t always an exact science.
Realistic expectations about concrete logo placement
It must be stressed that not even the most seasoned contractor can guarantee what a color-dyed logo will look like in terms of matching the exact shade of your company’s emblem as it looks on a piece of paper or a computer screen. Opting for the template method is the best way to ensure a more exact match if you can’t tolerate tonal deviation.
If you’re going for the more natural look of etched concrete and staining, ask your contractor to demonstrate the process on a small, out-of-the-way patch of the concrete. This will provide a better (but again, not an absolute) example of how the colors will take to the floor.
Another important thing to remember is that polishing won’t remove any imperfections that already exist in the concrete. These little gaps and problems can often be patched, filled, or ground away, but the repairs themselves can then become visible through the polish. This is a crucial fact to accept because it may affect and limit the potential spots for your logo placement.
Nobody wants imperfections ruining their brand’s stamp. Make sure you consult with experienced concrete polishers when adding a logo on concrete. The experts will provide honest surface appraisals, not disappointing promises.
Connect with Concreate to explore the possibilities
Are you looking to add a logo, text, or other graphic to your polished concrete floor? Look no further than the crew at Concreate. We can handle every commercial concrete project except pouring, specializing in prepping, grinding, staining, and polishing.
We make processes transparent every step of the way, so our clients have a realistic idea of what to expect. Just contact our team with any questions or to discuss a logo placement today.