Reflective print
Also known as: Reflective printing, Retroreflective print
Print or transfer film with retroreflective glass beads or micro-prisms that throw incoming light back to its source — standard for high-visibility clothing and safety applications.
Description
Reflective prints consist of an adhesive layer onto which millions of microscopic glass beads (typically 40-80 micrometres) or micro-prisms are applied. These act as retroreflectors: incoming light is not scattered diffusely but sent back precisely to the light source — right into the car headlight and thus the driver's eye. The effect is based on the same principle as cat's eyes on roads, patented by Percy Shaw in 1934.
For textiles, reflective transfer films with hot-melt backing are usually produced (e.g. 3M Scotchlite): the motif is plotter-cut or applied as print-cut and pressed at 150-160 degrees in the transfer press for 15-20 seconds. On high-visibility clothing to EN ISO 20471, reflective stripes with a minimum width of 50 mm and defined arrangements are prescribed.
Wash resistance with high-quality reflective film is 25 washes at 60 degrees without significant loss of reflection (minimum 330 cd/lx/m² per EN 471). For aesthetic reasons non-standard reflex prints are also used on fashion items, sport jackets and backpacks.
Properties
| Chemistry | Glass beads or micro-prisms in adhesive layer |
|---|---|
| Application | High-vis clothing EN ISO 20471, fashion |
| Durability | 25 washes at 60 °C |
| Effect | Retroreflection ≥ 330 cd/lx/m² |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Retroreflector Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroreflector
