Improve Safety & Protect Your Immersive Experience
The Problem with LEDs: Screen Glare and Fall Hazards
True safety requires a highly visible, glare-free “foot placement indicator” directly on the leading edge of the step . Instead of point-source bulbs, Light Tape is a continuous, solid-state electroluminescent lamp that delivers a soft, uniform glow designed specifically for human vision.
By placing a high-contrast edge marker flush with the step’s nose, Light Tape securely guides foot placement to prevent overstepping, and then completely disappears from view the moment your patrons are seated. This ensures a flawless, dark environment that protects your PLF investment.
The Light Tape® Advantage: "Invisible" Safety
True safety requires a highly visible, glare-free “foot placement indicator” directly on the leading edge of the step. Instead of point-source bulbs, Light Tape is a continuous, solid-state electroluminescent lamp that delivers a soft, uniform glow designed specifically for human vision.
By placing a high-contrast edge marker flush with the step’s nose, Light Tape securely guides foot placement to prevent overstepping, and then completely disappears from view the moment your patrons are seated. This ensures a flawless, dark environment that protects your PLF investment.
Recommended StepGuard™ Lighting Solutions for Cinemas
Our patented StepGuard™ systems are engineered to pair perfectly with Light Tape®, creating the only solution where the light source and profile are designed and built together for seamless performance.
- The Climax Duo & Climax Duo Stadium: The ultimate workhorse for US cinemas needing to meet strict building codes. This system clearly marks the leading edge with glare-free Light Tape for foot placement, while an optional angled downlight (LED) safely illuminates the tread without ever shining light toward the screen.
- Max Immersive: Originally designed for IMAX theaters, this profile creates a fully immersive lighting environment. It strictly illuminates the base of each step for maximum safety while keeping all light off the screen.
- Light Tape® Exit Signs: Eliminate the harsh “nuclear” glow and distracting screen glare caused by traditional LED exit signs. Our exit signs produce a crisp, perfectly uniform glow that provides essential life-safety marking without casting unwanted ambient light across the room.
- Cyclops Puck Lights & Custom Signage: Perfect for large entranceways, platforms, or gaps between step runs. The Cyclops features brilliantly illuminated custom branding on top and a rotationally adjustable downlight underneath. We also offer integrated row numbers seamlessly built into our aluminum stair nosings to replace easily damaged floor stickers
Theater & Cinema Lighting FAQs
Standard LEDs create harsh hotspots that cause momentary flash blindness and severe light pollution, distracting from the movie screen. Light Tape® produces a soft, uniform glow that is safe for direct viewing, enhancing visibility without ruining the carefully crafted immersive atmosphere.
When patrons look down at blinding direct-view LEDs, the glare hurts their eyes, forcing them to look away and rely on peripheral vision. This causes them to misjudge the step depth and “overstep,” leading to dangerous forward falls.
Light Tape places a highly visible, non-glare line of light precisely on the leading edge of the step, acting as a safe “foot placement indicator” so patrons can confidently navigate stairs without losing focus
No. Light Tape is engineered to be the perfect accent light, meaning it is exceptionally bright on its surface but does not cast unwanted light across the room or onto the screen. Our StepGuard™ profiles are specifically angled to direct illumination strictly where foot placement is needed
Yes, our Climax Duo and Classic Duo Stadium models are specifically designed to exceed the toughest building codes. These dual-illumination fixtures combine a glare-free Light Tape edge marker on top with a shrouded, high-bright LED downlight that safely illuminates the floor tread without shining light toward the movie screen
Traditional LED exit signs fire intense, directional beams that create distracting screen glare, while glow-in-the-dark options have a harsh “nuclear” appearance. Light Tape exit signs provide a crisp, perfectly uniform glow that ensures life-safety compliance without causing ambient light pollution, protecting your premium cinema vibe.
Absolutely. Light Tape is the only true solid-state lamp and is securely sealed within an industry-high IP65-rated aluminum profile. Unlike competitors’ plastic profiles where end caps easily fall off, the StepGuard system features integrated, screwed-down end caps that withstand heavy mopping, making the fixture virtually liquid-proof and indestructible
Yes, Light Tape is fully dimmable. It can be adjusted evenly all the way down to zero without any flickering. It is easily controlled by standard 0-10 VDC, DALI, and DMX dimming systems
No, Light Tape is extremely energy-efficient and never generates heat. It consumes about 40% of the power of standard LEDs and can operate on as little as a quarter-watt per meter
Installation is rapid, clean, and straightforward. Our StepGuard aluminum profiles are designed to be screwed down using anchors—not glued—avoiding messy installations. Additionally, wiring is simple because a single power supply can drive up to 75 feet of continuous aisle lighting without any voltage drops
Yes, we offer fully integrated custom signage solutions. Our Light Tape backlit row numbers can be mounted to existing seats or integrated directly into our aluminum stair nosings to replace easily damaged floor stickers. For large entranceways or gaps between stair runs, we also offer the Cyclops puck light, which features illuminated branding on top and a downlight underneath
