Preformed Thermoplastic Pavement Markings in Georgia
Heat-applied preformed thermoplastic crosswalks, stop bars, arrows, legends and symbols for Georgia cities, counties, school districts, commercial properties and industrial sites — installed to MUTCD dimensions and open to traffic in minutes.
What it is
Preformed thermoplastic arrives as precut shapes — bars, arrows, letters, numbers and symbols — with reflective glass beads and anti-skid aggregate already built into the material. Our crews prep the pavement, position the shape, and heat it with a propane torch until it fuses into the asphalt. Because the shapes are factory-cut, every crosswalk bar, arrow and legend lands at the correct MUTCD dimension without hand layout error.
It's the material we recommend for symbols and legends in the places that wear fastest: signalized intersections, school zones, bus loops, fire lanes, truck courts and busy retail drive aisles.
Why specify preformed
- Factory-made shapes install with exact MUTCD dimensions every time
- Reflective glass beads and anti-skid aggregate built into the material
- Heat-fused bond into asphalt for a marking that resists plowing and scraping
- Lasts far longer than traffic paint in high-wear intersections and drive aisles
- Traffic-ready within minutes of application — short lane closures
- Installs cleanly in cool weather windows that paint can't handle
Preformed thermoplastic in the field
What preformed thermoplastic looks like on Georgia pavement
Heat-applied installation
Precut sheets are torched down until they fuse into the asphalt — lanes reopen in minutes.
Arrows & legends
Factory-cut arrows and wording land at exact MUTCD dimensions with no hand layout error.
School zones & crosswalks
Reflective, anti-skid symbols built for the highest-wear pedestrian crossings.
Markings we install
Preformed shapes, symbols and legends
- Crosswalks, ladder bars and continental crosswalks
- Stop bars, yield lines and lane lines
- Turn arrows, straight arrows and combination arrows
- Words and legends: ONLY, STOP, SCHOOL, BUS, FIRE LANE
- Bike lane symbols, sharrows and green bike boxes
- ADA accessible symbols and van-accessible markings
- Numbers and letters for stall and dock numbering
- Custom logos, shapes and inlay markings
Installation
How a preformed install runs
Site review & layout
We confirm marking type, dimensions and placement against MUTCD and your local jurisdiction's standards, then lay out the work on site.
Surface preparation
The pavement is swept and cleaned, failed paint is removed, and the area is dried so the thermoplastic can bond to bare asphalt.
Heat application
Preformed shapes are positioned and heat-fused with a propane torch until the material melts into the pavement surface.
Inspection & reopen
We verify edges, bond and bead retention as the material cools, pull traffic control, and reopen the area — usually within minutes.
Compare
Preformed vs. extruded thermoplastic vs. paint
| Option | Best for | Typical service life | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preformed thermoplastic | Crosswalks, arrows, legends and symbols | Multiple years in high-traffic areas | Precut to spec, heat-applied, beads and anti-skid built in |
| Extruded / hot-applied thermoplastic | Long runs of lane lines and edge lines | Multiple years | Applied by machine from melted material — efficient over distance |
| Traffic paint | Parking lot stalls on a refresh cycle | Typically 1-2 seasons | Lowest up-front cost, most frequent restriping |
Service life varies with traffic volume, pavement condition and maintenance. We'll recommend the right material for each area of your site during a free evaluation.
Thermoplastic Projects
Before & after thermoplastic markings.
Real Georgia sites where long-life thermoplastic outlasted and outperformed standard traffic paint.
Before
AfterCrosswalk Renewal
Faded, cracked crosswalk stripes removed and replaced with thick, reflective thermoplastic bars that stand up to traffic and weather.
Before
AfterStop Bar & Lane Lines
High-traffic intersection refreshed with a crisp white thermoplastic stop bar and vivid yellow lane lines for clear driver guidance.
Before
AfterIntersection Legends
Worn turn arrows and legends upgraded to preformed thermoplastic symbols that stay legible years longer than paint.
Client Feedback
Trusted for long-life markings.
“We switched to thermoplastic crosswalks and stop bars on our main corridor and the difference is night and day. The reflectivity is excellent and we have not had to touch them up in two years.”
Marcus T.
Public Works Director, Municipality, North Georgia
“ARIMA re-striped our shopping center with thermoplastic lane lines and fire lanes. It cured fast, looked crisp, and our tenants noticed the upgrade immediately.”
Dana R.
Property Manager, Retail Center, Atlanta Metro
“Our truck court takes a beating from forklifts and trailers every day. The thermoplastic legends and arrows ARIMA installed have held up far better than paint ever did.”
James P.
Facilities Manager, Distribution Facility, Georgia
Where we work
Preformed thermoplastic crews across Georgia
We self-perform statewide, from metro Atlanta out to middle and south Georgia.
- Atlanta, GA
- Marietta, GA
- Roswell, GA
- Alpharetta, GA
- Peachtree City, GA
- Newnan, GA
- Senoia, GA
- Fayetteville, GA
- McDonough, GA
- Stockbridge, GA
- Jonesboro, GA
- Griffin, GA
- Macon, GA
- Savannah, GA
- Athens, GA
- Augusta, GA
- Columbus, GA
What is preformed thermoplastic pavement marking?
Preformed thermoplastic is a pavement marking material supplied as precut sheets, symbols, arrows, letters and bars. Reflective glass beads and anti-skid aggregate are built into the material at the factory. The shape is laid on prepared pavement and heated with a propane torch until it melts and fuses into the asphalt surface.
How long does preformed thermoplastic last?
In Georgia conditions, properly installed preformed thermoplastic commonly holds up for several years in intersections, crosswalks and drive aisles — far longer than traffic paint, which usually needs restriping every one to two seasons. Service life depends on traffic volume, pavement condition and snowplow or sweeper activity.
Is preformed thermoplastic MUTCD-compliant?
Yes. Preformed shapes are manufactured to standard MUTCD dimensions for crosswalk bars, stop bars, arrows, legends and symbols, and we install to the dimensions and placement your jurisdiction requires. That factory sizing is one of the main reasons agencies specify preformed for symbols and legends.
Can preformed thermoplastic be installed over existing markings?
It can be installed over sound existing markings once the surface is cleaned and prepped, but the bond is strongest on clean asphalt. Where old paint is failing or built up, we remove or scarify it first so the material fuses into the pavement rather than the old coating.
How long does the area stay closed?
Only during application. Preformed thermoplastic cools and hardens in minutes, so lanes, crosswalks and drive aisles typically reopen the same visit. We schedule nights and weekends when daytime closures aren't practical.
Does preformed thermoplastic work on concrete?
Preformed thermoplastic is designed for asphalt, where the heated material fuses into the surface. Concrete usually requires a primer/sealer or an alternative material, and we'll specify the right system after reviewing the surface during your free site evaluation.
What areas of Georgia do you install in?
We install preformed thermoplastic markings statewide, including Atlanta, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Peachtree City, Newnan, Fayetteville, McDonough, Griffin, Macon, Athens, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah.