Empire Level 77-062 Flagging Tape, Orange, 600-Feet by 1-Inch

A simple roll that solves a lot of small problems

Out on a job site, in the woods, or around the yard, I reach for the Empire orange flagging tape more often than I expected. It’s basic—1 inch wide, 600 feet long, fluorescent orange—but that simplicity is exactly why it works. It marks what needs attention, it ties quickly, and it saves me time.

What you’re getting

This is non-adhesive plastic flagging tape intended for temporary marking: trees, stakes, boundary lines, utilities, trail routes, or any spot you need to see from a distance. The bright fluorescent orange is easy to pick up against foliage and dirt. The roll is generous at 600 feet, which matters more than it sounds; with shorter rolls, I tend to ration or change spools mid-task. With this one, I can wrap generously and still have plenty left.

Empire’s claim that the plastic remains pliant in cold weather proved true in my use. I’ve tied it below freezing without the tape cracking or turning brittle. In summer heat, it stays flexible and doesn’t get gummy (there’s no adhesive to melt), which helps it handle repeated knotting and untying.

Visibility and handling

Visibility is the headline feature. The fluorescent orange reads from a surprising distance even in mixed woods. One inch is a practical width: wide enough to catch the eye yet narrow enough to tie quickly and tear cleanly. If your work demands maximum stand-out—say, marking a hazard near vehicle traffic—go 1.5 to 2 inches. For most property, garden, and trail work, 1 inch strikes a good balance.

Tearing by hand is easy and predictable. That’s intentional with flagging tape: you don’t want to carry a knife just to mark a few stakes. A steady pull across the roll’s edge gives a straight tear, and the tape doesn’t shred lengthwise when you’re tying normal knots. That said, it is thin by design. If a long tail catches wind around a sharp branch or a chain-link fence, it can tear. For high-abrasion environments (brush clearing, heavy equipment paths), double-wrap the tie point and leave shorter tails.

A quick note on nighttime use: the tape is fluorescent, not retroreflective. It pops in daylight and under headlamps at close range, but it won’t flash back like reflective material. If you need night visibility, pair it with reflective tags.

Durability outdoors

This is a temporary marker, not a permanent tag. Within that expectation, it holds up well. I’ve left flags through a full garden season—rain, wind, midsummer sun—without them disintegrating. The color does slowly mute with UV exposure over weeks to months, which is typical for fluorescent plastics. If you need high visibility longer-term, refresh the flags or use a more UV-stable, thicker vinyl.

Cold performance is genuinely good. I’ve used this in the low 20s (°F), and the tape stayed pliant enough to cinch knots without micro-cracking. In wind, a single thin tail can whip itself to failure if it catches a rough edge; double-wrapping the anchor and trimming tails to 4–6 inches helps a lot. Tied around bark, posts, or rebar, I didn’t see spontaneous breaks. Tied tight and yanked sideways, it will tear, which is both a safety feature (it won’t act as a dangerous snare) and a limitation (don’t expect it to survive abuse).

Use cases that made it earn a place in my kit

• Tree decisions: I marked “remove,” “keep,” and “transplant” trees using different colors, with orange as my “action” color. Being able to tear strips one-handed and tie a quick overhand or slip knot sped up the walkthrough. Double-wrapping on rough bark prevents friction tears.

• Garden and landscaping: Flagging fence posts and sprinkler heads before mowing saved equipment and time. The tape stayed visible and intact through weekly watering and midday sun across the season.

• Trail scouting and layout: For a weekend trail reroute, tying flags at eye level every 30–40 feet created an obvious line for the crew. The 600-foot roll meant I wasn’t counting pieces or swapping rolls mid-run.

• Utility and jobsite marking: For indicating “look here” spots before the locate team arrives or marking gear staging zones, orange reads clearly without confusing it for official utility colors when that matters.

• Training and field search drills: It’s handy for breadcrumb marking and quick “searched” tags. I don’t rely on it for night operations without adding reflective material.

Ergonomics and workflow tips

The roll is light and easy to pocket. I usually throw it on a carabiner or in a side pouch. The core spins freely; if you’re prone to pulling too much slack and dropping the roll, pinch the side of the core with two fingers as you tear to control feed.

A few tricks that help:
- Pre-cut a dozen 18–24 inch strips and loop them on a carabiner for speed work.
- Tie with a slip knot to remove quickly; for longer-term flags, use a square knot and leave 4–6 inch tails.
- Double-wrap the anchor point before tying to reduce chafing on rough surfaces.
- For trees, tie loosely to avoid girdling; the tape won’t stretch with growth.
- If you want a more obvious “flag,” fold the last few inches back on itself before tying to create a little paddle that flutters.

Storage is simple. Keep it out of direct sunlight when not in use to slow UV fade. The plastic doesn’t stick to itself, so it won’t weld into a brick in a hot truck.

What it isn’t

It isn’t adhesive tape. If you need something to stick to smooth surfaces, this isn’t the tool. It also isn’t biodegradable. If you’re marking in sensitive environments, consider biodegradable flagging and commit to collecting what you set. And while it’s fluorescent, it’s not reflective—pair with reflective markers if you operate at night.

The 1-inch width is a compromise. In dense brush or at long distances, wider tape is more obvious. If you’re coordinating large crews or marking hazards near equipment, stepping up in width or using high-contrast patterns can help.

Finally, it’s thin. That’s by design for hand tear and easy tying, but it won’t tolerate sharp edges and constant whipping as well as thicker, heavy-duty flagging. Adjust your tie technique or upgrade thickness for harsh conditions.

Value and length

The standout value here is the 600-foot roll. Many rolls in the category top out around 150–300 feet. Not changing rolls reduces interruptions and keeps your marking consistent. The cost per foot is low, and the bright orange color performs as expected. If your use is occasional, a shorter roll might be fine. If you’re doing property-wide layout, trail work, or recurring field tasks, the large roll pays off quickly in fewer restocks.

Alternatives and who should choose what

• Need maximum visibility? Go 1.5–2 inch widths or add reflective tags.
• Need longer-term outdoor durability with less tearing? Consider thicker, higher-mil vinyl flagging.
• Working in ecologically sensitive areas? Look for biodegradable flagging and plan your removal.
• Night operations? Pair this with reflective tape or clip-on reflectors.
• Color-coding tasks? Keep multiple colors and reserve orange for “action” or caution to avoid confusion.

The bottom line

Empire’s orange flagging tape is a straightforward, effective tool for marking what matters in the field. It’s bright, easy to tear and tie, remains pliant in cold weather, and the 600-foot roll keeps you working instead of swapping spools. It’s not meant to be permanent, it’s not reflective, and the thinness that makes it user-friendly also makes it vulnerable to abrasion and wind on sharp edges. Used for the right jobs and tied with a bit of care, it stands up through a season of weather without fuss.

Recommendation: I recommend this tape for general-purpose marking—trees, stakes, boundaries, trail layout, and jobsite cues—especially if you value a long roll and quick, tool-free handling. If your use case demands long-term, high-abrasion durability or nighttime visibility, look at thicker or reflective options. For everyday fieldwork, this roll earns a spot in the bag.