What is projected signage and how does it work?

Projected Signage is an innovative alternative to traditional safety signs. Using LED gobo projectors and glass GOBOs (a small glass disc that has your safety sign etched onto it), projected signage is a versatile solution for warehouse safety signage. 

Almost any design can be put onto the gobo, such as branded safety signs, which are simply popped into the projector and ready to go. With standard 3 pin plugs in gobo projectors, projected signage is a quick and easy installation safety signage solution with no business downtime.

Limitations of Painted Floor Markings 

• Floors need to be thoroughly cleaned to apply, removing old markings. 
• Can be covered easily in busy warehouses by dust, dirt and equipment. 
• Chips and fades easily with regular cleaning and forklift traffic. 
• Requires regular maintenance to maintain visibility, leaning to business downtime.

What are the benefits of using projected signage in warehouse environments?

1. Durability

Warehouse environments are tough on traditional safety signage. Painted floor markings can quickly fade and degrade due to heavy traffic from forklifts, AGVs and cleaning equipment.

Projected signage provides long-lasting safety messaging by:

• Eliminating wear and tear with LED gobo projectors.
• Needing minimal maintenance.
• Maintaining floor marking clarity without repainting.                                                                                                                                                       

2. Visibility

The HSE requires safety signage to not be faded to pass compliance (LINK). ‘Sign blindness’ can occur when safety markings fade, or workers get used to the same time, meaning the signage can be overlooked.

Projected signage reduces sign blindness by:

• Using bright, LED gobo projections.
• Remaining visible in low-light environments.
• Can be projected onto almost any surface, even if things are placed ‘over’ them.

3. Adaptability

Warehouses can change rapidly due to new business requirements and goals. When layouts change, you need to ensure your floor markings and signage is up to date, with repainted markings or updated safety signs, which can lead to business downtime.

Projected signage allows for:

• Updated signage without repainting floor markings.
• Easy to reposition signs as operations evolve and layouts change.
• Custom signage for different zones and safety messaging.

4. Sustainability

Warehouses often use paint for floor markings and safety signs, but these typically use binders, pigments and solvents, which can contribute to VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, hazardous waste and expose workers to harsh chemicals. So how does the alternative, projected safety signage, increase sustainability?

• Low carbon and low waste.
• Reduce contribution to VOCs.
• LED lights are 75-80% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and 30-50% than fluorescents, meaning gobo projection can save the environment and money in comparison to alternative lit signage. 
• Replace just the gobo when you need a new safety sign, reducing waste.

Why choose a projected image over traditional signage?

• No fading or chipped safety signs.
• Reduced risk of sign blindness.
• Minimal business downtime to repaint floor markings or install new safety signage.
• Consistent, high-visibility signage in dynamic warehouse environments.
• Project over almost any surface with no more hidden floor markings.

Warehouse Preparation for Safety Signage

To get the most out of your projected signage, it is important to consider your floor colours and projection surfaces in order to ensure the best projection possible. Here’s a quick checklist of what you can do to maximise the effectiveness of projected safety signage:

1. Identifying Problem Areas 

Consider where you will get the most value from your projected signage solution.

• High-traffic forklift routes.
• Zones where floor markings are frequently damaged.                                             
• Areas with repeated safety incidents or near misses.                                             
• Wet areas.

2. Floor Colour

Floor colour can affect the colour of your projection, here’s some key things to consider when preparing your projection: 

• Lighter surfaces ensure clearer and more visible projection results.                       
• Dark surfaces (such as black) will absorb the light and dull the projection significantly, reducing overall impact.                                                                         
• Keep in mind that light is not 100% opaque, so colours can mix. For example, projecting green onto a red shutter door may reduce visibility and alter the colour, something that is important with safety signage.

3. Floor Surface

Although you can project onto almost any surface, we would recommend a dark concrete as it provides a number of benefits:

• It provides the sharpest projection.                                                                             
• Does not dull your projected signage as it doesn’t absorb the light.                     
• It does not mix or affect the colours you are projecting, what you see is what you get.
• Creates a projection surface for high visibility, ensuring safety messages are seen and sign blindness is reduced.

Projected vs Printed Signage Preparation

Compared to projected signage, which can be projected over almost any surface, painted signage requires more preparation before you can have your safety signs installed. Here are the key differences:

• No stripping or treating existing floor paint or markings.                                         
• Projections onto almost any surface, including wet and low temperature areas.
• No removal of substances such as oil and adhesives before installation of your safety signs.
• No need to sealants needed on the floor to avoid absorption.                               
• No business downtime to cordon off areas for repainting.

Which products are best for projected signage in warehouse spaces?

Warehouses can be harsh environments, with bright LED lighting, dust and even cold/wet stores, if you are after projected signage, you want a gobo projector that can handle day-to-day operations. But what are the key features to look for in a gobo projector for industrial use?

IP Ratings:

Even though warehouses are often indoors, they can be cold, dusty and wet. Our IP65 rated gobo projectors have been specifically designed for warehouses ensuring your projections are protected from any moisture. These are marked as weatherproof projectors for these reason.

Easy to Install/DIY:

When purchasing a signage projector, you want to be able to simply install it to get your safety messages seen instantly. At Projected Image, our purpose built warehouse projectors are designed to plug-in and shine your safety signage brightly, with no complex wiring. 

Size requirements and projection distance:

Some safety signage, such as zebra crossings, need to be a specific size in order to meet operational requirements. The higher you mount your projector, the larger your projection will be. This means that you may require a more powerful unit to get your desired projection size. The distance of the projection also can affect how bright the outcome is. 

Lighting Conditions:

How bright your warehouse is will impact how visible your projection is. This is easily resolved by choosing a projector powerful enough to combat your lighting conditions as well as the projection distance and size requirements. Check out our handy guide on which of our gobo projectors is best for your warehouse environment.

 

Not sure where to start with Projected Signage?

With our dedicated team of projection experts, producing your projected signage has never been easier. From initial enquiries to after-sales care, our team is here to help you every step of the way to get the best projection solution for you and your business.

Our experts also carry out site visits to assess your warehouses preexisting signage, lighting conditions and size requirements to recommend the correct gobo projector for you. It also gives you a chance to see the projectors in-action, in your environment, showcasing just how eye-catching they can be in busy warehouses.

Producing your safety signage

Once your initial enquiry and site visit has taken place, our studio team can begin to create your bespoke signage system to your specifications, with all designing, artworking and scaling done in-house in our offices in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. And that’s not all, our designers can customise  your gobos so they are bespoke for you, such as adding corporate logos and branding to safety signage, to completely custom artwork for a corporate event.

All of your gobos are made in our state of the art lab in our HQ, using top of the range materials and equipment to ensure the clearest of projections. They are then put through rigorous quality control to guarantee a high quality projection every time.

Installing your Projected Safety Signage

One of the benefits of a Projected Image signage solution is the easy installation. With standard 3-pin-plugs, you can simply plug into mains and illuminate your safety messages.

All of our warehouse projectors also have pre-installed brackets, meaning you can stand the projector up on a table/surface, or mount onto the ceilings, walls, trunking (and even onto cranes!) with a few screws. No complicated electrical installation needed!

Signage Automation

Automating your projected safety signage is one of the most effective ways to integrate real-time hazard alerts into warehouse and factory operations. Gobo Projectors can be linked with new or existing sensors and timers to create a seamless flow of traffic around your warehouse, but how do you create an automated signage solution?

Sensors

Sensors can trigger projected signage based on environmental factors, such as pedestrians or vehicles approaching, doors opening and lights being switched on. Sensors that are commonly utilised with projected signage are PIR sensors and proximity sensors. These can also be used to turn one projector on and illuminate another safety sign depending on the environmental factors.

Timers 

Timers trigger safety signs during specific working hours, such as working hours or pedestrians and forklifts being in the same area at the same time.

Integration with Existing Safety Systems

Integrate with safety equipment such as fire alarms. For example triggering projected signage when the alarm is activated with wayfinding arrows for escape routes. 

Smart Switches

Create automation schedules to project safety signage at specific times of the day, or using devices to illuminate signage when forklifts are in the area.

Automation Examples                                                                                                         

In 2025, we worked closely with a leading renewables manufacturer (and an electrical contractor) to design a bespoke signage solution with changing safety signage based on environmental conditions.  

Our gobo projectors were paired with sensors to illuminate safety signs when roller doors opened, to warn pedestrians of oncoming vehicles. This created an improved warehouse safety signage system that gave clear safety instructions at the correct times. 

To find out more about this project, check out our case study.

Safety Signage Maintenance and Updates

Updating your safety signage has never been easier, with gobo projection, you can simply switch out the gobo when you need a new floor marking. No more business downtime to repaint fading floor markings.

Maintenance Tips:

• Remove any dust and dirt with a microfibre cloth to avoid any build up. If there is grease/grime on the unit, use a damp cloth.
• Clean the lens with a microfibre cloth to keep your projection shining brightly.
• When not in use, store your gobo projector in a well ventilated and dry area.
• Ensure the vents on the projector are not covered, especially when it is switched on.
• Keep away from heat sources.
• Although our warehouse projectors are IP rated, for extra protection in wet rooms or areas exposed to the weather, we’d recommend using a rainhood on your unit.
• When handling gobos, ensure you wear gloves to protect the glass.

Safety Precautions:

• Turn off the projector and allow it to cool before any moving, maintenance or gobo replacement.
• Do not exceed 240 volts when wiring into existing circuits.

Why Choose Projected Image?

Expert Advice

Our projection experts work with you from initial projection enquiries, all the way through to after-sales care. Established in 1999, Projected Image has over 27 years of projection experience, ensuring we have the knowledge to know what makes a great gobo and projected safety signage solution.

Site Visits

We can come to your site to assess your safety signage requirements and advise on the best solution for you. This includes assessing your current signage and floor markings, light levels and budget, to design a bespoke signage requirement that best meets your business needs.

UK Manufactured Projected Signage

At Projected Image, quality signage and projections are of the utmost importance to us. That’s why we manufacture our gobos in-house. With our team of experts and in-house lab with state of the art equipment, we can ensure the highest quality projection every time.

Purpose-Built Projectors

With an increasing number of projected signage coming onto the market, it’s difficult to know which will be best for your business. Many of these alternative projectors are not built with tough warehouse environments in mind. At Projected Image, our IP-rated gobo projectors are built to withstand harsh warehouses such as with dust/debris, cold temperatures and wet rooms.

Getting the Best Value Projected Signage

When looking for projected signage, it's worth knowing that some suppliers bundle it in with broader warehouse safety product ranges, which can add to the cost. Some turnkey companies that offer other safety products, such as safety gates, often charge a premium for projected signs. This is largely as they often include installation fees that can match or even exceed the cost of the projected signage solution itself.

At Projected Image, we make projected signage simple. We focus on supplying the hardware and the expertise to deliver the signage solution you need, without the inflated costs of a turnkey company. Our LED gobo projectors are designed with easy installation in mind. With a standard 3-pin plug, it’s often as easy as plugging in and illuminating your safety signage instantly. Our projectors can also be wired into electrics, sensors and timers. Clients often use in-house or local electricians to install these, as it still saves a significant cost compared to turnkey companies. We can even recommend installers that we work with on a regular basis, and are also projection experts.

Case Studies

Renewable Energy Manufacturer-Automated signage that only illuminates when it needs to.

A leading renewables manufacturer wanted safety signage to protect pedestrians from forklift traffic at shared access points across the site. They approached us after their painted and vinyl floor markings were degrading rapidly in high traffic areas, causing sign blindness in a busy environment.

After assessing their needs on a site visit, our projection experts put together a fully bespoke safety signage solution using our 200 watt gobo projectors. We also worked alongside electrical contractors Alan Benfield, who integrated our gobo projectors with sensors, activating the warning signs only when a forklift approaches. This ensures clear messaging with the correct sign illuminated only when needed, avoiding confusion and sign blindness. The result is a seamless, HSE compliant safety solution that prevents accidents between pedestrians and forklifts.

Dunbia-Utilising projected signage for food safety.

With food hygiene being of utmost importance for food manufacturers Dunbia, regular cleaning would cause painted floor markings to chip and fade, which could potentially contaminate products. Existing signage also had to be repainted frequently in order to remain visible.

Projected Image designed a bespoke solution using 40W weatherproof gobo projectors, capable of operating in cold storage environments as low as -20°C. The projected markings eliminated any contamination risk from flaking paint entirely, while the rotating projection feature kept messaging fresh and attention-grabbing. Since installation, Dunbia have reported a measurable improvement in employee awareness of handwashing protocols, maintaining their high food safety standards.

Hoistech-Safety signage that moves with the crane.

Hoistech, Ireland's leading crane service company, required a signage solution capable of keeping up with the dynamic, fast-changing nature of crane operations across busy sites. With cranes requiring Safe Operating Zones (SOZs), Hoistech required a dynamic and adaptable floor marking solution.

Our powerful gobo projectors were paired with custom keep clear bays and SOZs, all manufactured in-house. The projectors were then mounted directly onto the crane JIBs, meaning safety messages move with the crane, providing adaptability which could not be achieved with painted floor markings. Hoistech's clients now benefit from a fully flexible safety solution that requires minimal downtime to update.

Automotive Manufacturing- Projected signage built for tough environments.

Projected Image has seen a surge in demand for projected signage within the automotive industry. With these sites having heavy machinery, high footfall and forklift trucks operating, wear and tear of painted floor signage is significant, and halting production to repaint can be costly.

High-powered LED gobo projectors have proven ideal for the challenge, highly visible floor signage with up to 50,000 hours of lamp life and minimal maintenance. With no paint degradation or fading, the safety signs remain bright and visible across the full lifespan of the gobo projectors, providing confidence to health and safety professionals that their workforce is safe, without having to halt operations.