Reflective Solutions Information Site
Menu
  • Basics
    • Quick Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Reflective Tape
    • 41 Kinds of Reflective Tape That We Stock – Which One is Right for Your Application?
    • What is Retro Reflective Tape?
    • How Does Reflective Tape Work?
    • How Micro Prismatic Retro Reflective Tape Is Made
    • The Invention and History of Reflective Tape
    • The History of Reflective Traffic Signs
    • What is the Brightest Reflective Tape?
    • Reflective Versus Retro Reflective Tape – What’s the Difference?
    • Glass Bead Versus Micro Prismatic Retro Reflective Tapes
    • Understanding Distinctions Between Fluorescent and Retroreflective Materials
    • Which Reflective Tape is Best for Your Application?
    • Is Applying Reflective Tape on Your Vehicle Legal?
    • Reflective Tape – Five Adhesive Backing Classes
    • Studies - Safety Benefits of Reflective Tape
    • Mistakes Made Applying DOT C2 Truck Tape That Cause Accidents, Injuries and Fatalities
    • ORALITE® P82 vs. D96 vs. AC1000 Metalized – Photo Electric Reflective Tape Comparison
  • Science
    • Air Backed Non Metallized versus Metallized Reflective Tapes
    • Reflective Tape (Sheeting) Entrance and Observation Angles
    • Chromaticity (Color) of Retro Reflective Tape
    • Scattered, Specular, and Retro Reflective – Different Types of Reflectivity
    • Definition of Conspicuity – Elements of Visibility
    • Difference – Reflectivity, Refraction and Diffraction of Light
    • Types of Luminescense – Fluorescence, Photoluminescence, Bioluminescence, Phosphorescence, Etc..
    • What is Fluorescent Reflective Tape?
  • Regulations
    • MUTCD Minimum Reflectivity Standards for Signs – 2022 Revisions
    • NFPA 1901 – Reflective Chevron Striping for Fire Trucks and Apparatus
    • Ambulance Reflective Chevron Marking Regulation – NFPA 1917
    • FRA 224 – R99 Rail Car Marking Regulation
    • DOT C2 Conspicuity Marking for Tractor Trailers – Federal FMCSA NHTSA DOT Regulation
    • DOT C2 Tape – FMCSA Requirements to be Certified
    • FMCSA 393.11 DOT C2 Tape Regulation – (Exact Text)
    • Clarifying Conspicuity Tape Requirements for Straight Box Trucks
    • Airport Vehicle Reflective Tape Requirements – FAA Circular
    • FHWA Regulation for Reflective Tape on Rail Road Crossings (Crossbucks)
    • FMVSS 131 / FMVSS 217 Reflective Markings on School Buses
    • SOLAS Reflective Tape – USCG 46 CFR, section 164.018 and IMO Resolution A.658(16)
    • Channelizing Devices, Barricades, Drums, Cones, MUTCD Regulations (Reflective Tape)
    • Traffic Cone Reflective Collars (Bands) – MUTCD 6F.64 Regulation
    • Traffic Control Gate Arms & Railroad Crossings – Reflective Tape Requirements – MUTCD
    • Trailer Lighting & Reflective Tape Marking Requirements Poster – DOT / NHTSA
    • USACE (Army Corp of Engineers) Gate Marking Requirements
    • Inland Waterways – Retro Reflective Tape Requirement for Buoys and Navigational Aids
    • New York City Restaurant Street Seating Regulations – Reflective Sheeting Requirements
  • ASTM Types
    • Quick Reference – Reflective Tape Types & Backing Classes
    • Non Typed Films : FRA-RGA-SOLAS-DOT C2-V92-V98-P82-V99 (non sign applications)
    • ASTM D4956 Type 1 – Engineer Grade Reflective Tape
    • ASTM D4956 Type 2 – Super Engineer Grade Reflective Tape
    • ASTM D4956 Type 3 – High Intensity Reflective Tape
    • ASTM D4956 Type 4 – High Intensity Prismatic Reflective Tape
    • ASTM D4956 Type 5 – Traffic Delineator & Channelizer Reflective Tape
    • ASTM D4956 Type 6 – Roll Up / Temporary Retro Reflective Signs
    • ASTM D4956 Type 7 – Highway Signs, Construction Zones, Delineators (discontinued)
    • ASTM D4956 Type 8 – Traffic Sheeting , Construction Zone Devices, Delineators
    • ASTM D4956 Type 9 – Wide Observation Angle Retro Reflective Sheeting
    • ASTM D4956 Type 10 – Highway Signage, Construction Zone, Delineators (discontinued)
    • ASTM D4956 Type 11 – Super High Intensity Wide Observation Angle Highway Signage
  • Applications
    • Best Uses for Reflective Safety Tapes
    • NFPA Chevron Panels & Striping for Fire Trucks & Apparatus
    • Reflective Tape and Sheeting for Work Zones (Temporary Traffic Control)
    • Reflective Tape For Marking School Buses – FMVSS 571.131 & 571.217 Regulations
    • Reflective Word and Message Panels for Trucks and Utility Vehicles
    • Reflective Tape for Roll Off Containers, Dumpsters, and Trash Cans
    • Making Fire Hydrants More Visible With Colored Reflective Tape
    • Using Reflective Tape to Mark Cattle and Livestock Ear Tags
    • Reflective Tape for Horse & Livestock Trailers
  • Other Products
    • Reflective Glass Beads (Spheres) and the Part They Play in Safety
    • What is Reflective Paint?
  • Colors
    • Nikkalite EG – Colors
    • Nikkalite ELG – Colors
    • Nikkalite SEG – Colors
    • Nikkalite ULG – Colors
    • Nikkalite HIM – Colors
    • Nikkalite CRG – Colors
    • Oralite V82 – Colors
    • Oralite V92 – Colors
    • Oralite V98 – Colors
    • Oralite 5650 RA – Colors
    • Oralite 5700 – Colors
    • Oralite 5900 – Colors
    • Oralite 5930 – Colors
    • Oralite 5934 Colors – Solid
    • Oralite 7900 – Colors
    • Oralite 9900 – Colors
    • Striped Barricade (EG-ULG-HIM-5934) – Colors
    • Oralite V98 Striped – Colors
    • Oralite DOT C2 Tapes – Colors
    • Oralite School Bus Tape – Colors
    • Oralite Rail Gate Arm – Colors
    • Oralite FRA 224 – Colors
    • Oralite SOLAS – Colors
    • Oralite P82 Photo Electric – Colors
    • Oralite Roll Up Banner Material – Colors
    • Oralite GP020 – Colors
    • Oralite GP025 – Color
    • Oralite GP330 – Colors
    • Oralite GP440 – Colors
    • Oralite GP801 – Colors
    • FTP2500 Diamond Colors
    • Oralite Cone Collars – Colors
  • Spec Sheets
    • Type 1 – Engineer Grade (Nikkalite) Spec Sheet
    • Type 1 – “Flexible” Engineer Grade (Nikkalite) Spec Sheet
    • Type 1 – “Fleet” Engineer Grade (Oralite 5600 Rapid Air Repositionable) Spec Sheet
    • Type 1 “Fleet” Engineer Grade (Oralite 5650 Rapid Air) Specifications Sheet
    • Type 1 – “Fleet” Engineer Grade (Oralite 5700) Spec Sheet
    • Type 2 Super Engineer Grade (Nikkalite) Specifications Sheet
    • Type 3 High Intensity Grade (Nikkalite) Specifications Sheet
    • Type 4 High Intensity Prismatic (Nikkalite HIM & Oralite 5930 5934) Spec Sheet
    • Type 5 Ultra Bright Metallized Prismatic (Oralite V82) Specifications Sheet
    • Type 6 Roll Up Work Zone Signs (Oralite) Specifications Sheet
    • Type 7 Permanent Highway Signs (discontinued)
    • Type 8 Permanent Highway Sign Sheeting (Nikkalite CRG) Specifications Sheet
    • Type 9 – Wide Observation (Oralite 7900) Spec Sheet
    • Type 10 Permanent Highway Signage (discontinued)
    • Type 11 – Ultra Bright Wide Observation (Oralite 9900) Spec Sheet
    • V98 Pre-Striped Chevron Marking Tape (Oralite) Specifications Sheet
    • DOT C2 Conspicuity Tape (Oralite V52-V82-V92) Specifications Sheet
    • FRA 224 Rail Car Reflective Tape (Oralite R99) Spec Sheet
    • Rail Gate Arm Reflective Tape (Oralite – RGA) Specifications Sheet
    • School Bus Reflective Tape (Oralite V59-V82-V99) Specifications Sheet
    • SOLAS Marine Grade Reflective (Oralite) Specifications Sheet
    • V92 Daybright Prismatic Graphics Film (Oralite) Specifications Sheet
    • V98 Conformable Graphics Film (Oralite) Specifications Sheet
    • 3M™ 983 Chevron Striping Reflective Tape – Spec Sheet
    • Photo Electric Tape / Sheeting Specifications Sheet P82-P66-AC1000-5900
    • Oralite Super Bright & Marathon Reflective Banner Specs
    • Oralite GP020 Garment Trim – Spec Sheet
    • Oralite GP025 Heat Applied Garment Trim – Spec Sheet
    • Oralite GP330 Garment Trim – Spec Sheet
    • Oralite GP440 Garment Trim – Spec Sheet
    • Oralite GP801 Garment Trim – Spec Sheet
    • Oralite FTP2550 2575 Fire Trim Spec Sheet
  • Product Catalogs
    • Oralite Case Wholesale Prices
    • Oralite Fleet Reflective Films : V98-V92-V82-5650
    • Oralite Conspicuity : DOT-Rail-School-AGR-V98
    • Oralite Work Zone : 5930-5934-5935-Roll Up-AR
    • Oralite Marine (SOLAS) Tapes : M82
    • Oralite Garment Trims : GP-UFR-FTP-M82-Shapes
    • Oralite Glass Bead Trims – GP020 GP025 GP027 GP030
    • Oralite Sign Sheeting : 5700-5900-7900-9900
    • PreMark Preformed Thermoplastic Prices
Menu
what is reflective tape

What is Retro Reflective Tape?

Posted on December 18, 2022December 22, 2023 by Steve Cole

“Retro Reflective Tape” is defined as a thin white or colored film (aka sheeting) that reflects light back to the source of the light using either glass spheres or man made prisms. The film normally adheres to a surface using a self-adhesive peel and stick backing. However, for garments and fabrics, they would have a fabric backing and are sewn on. A large variety of colors are created at the factory by coloring the top coat of the film with a transparent ink. Light goes in white, and returns as the color of the film. (i.e. red, white, blue, green, orange, purple, yellow, gold, black, lime) These colors are used for a variety of applications, with each having their own color. A red stop sign, for example.

Microscopic glass beads in a film act as small parabolas that collect light and direct that light back to where it came from. Man made prisms in a prismatic reflective film use tiny man made mirrors placed at angles to each other to bounce the light back. Glass beads are bright, and the films made with them are inexpensive, but micro prisms are much brighter and can be seen from much further away.

(Note – “retro-reflective tape” is often shortened to “reflective tape”.)

As stated above, reflective tapes come in a variety of colors. They appear as their normal color in daylight, and at night, when reflecting, they are the same basic color, only brighter and lighter. Street signs are one example of an application for colored reflective tape. Stop signs can be seen at night in a red color, and yield signs are yellow at night, and so on. They are also red and yellow in daylight. The ability of reflective tapes to do this is what makes them so useful when it comes to safety on highways around the world. Suffice it to say, the invention of colored retro reflective tapes has been a huge plus for traffic safety.

The ability of reflective tape to be made in so many colors makes it useful for applications like signs. Colors visible day and night also make it perfect for school bus marking tape, dot truck tape, orange work zone tapes, traffic cone colors, rail car tape, gate arm tape, and much more. And as mentioned above, each color has a different purpose in traffic, with many applications mandated by the MUTCD or other regulations. For personal use, you can use any color you would like, for whatever you like, for the most part.

Reflective tapes also come in different types. The term “type” refers mainly to the brightness of the tape, but also references other characteristics. The large number of applications for reflective tape are what create the need for all the different intensities, types and colors. For example, tractor trailer rigs need a bright red and white alternating tape that can be seen from thousands of feet away. We call this DOT Conspicuity tape and it is normally a Type V film. Life boats and life vests need an ultra bright white tape that can be seen from over a mile away in marine environments. SOLAS tapes meet this need and use the same base film as the Type V material used for DOT trucks. Some SOLAS tapes self adhere, and some, like what you find on life vests, are sewn on. Stop signs in neighborhoods often use basic affordable reflective tape that uses glass beads for reflectivity. This film is referred to as a Type 1 glass bead reflective. However, on interstates, a much brighter and more expensive Type 8 or better prismatic film is required. Generally, required sign distance is what dictates the type of tape used.

Our “Tape Types” category goes into more detail about the different types of tapes.

Loading

Steve Cole
Steve Cole

Steven Cole (Economics, MBA – University of West Florida , Business & Innovation – Stanford University) 25 years of experience in the reflective safety business.  Specializing in vehicle accident and rear end collision reduction through increased visibility.

  • Home
  • Reflectivity AI Chatbot
  • Contact Us
  • Reflective Store – Online Store
  • Chevron Panels – Online Store
  • Reflective Shapes – Online Store
  • By The Foot – Online Store
  • Preformed Thermoplastic Store
  • About Reflective Inc.
  • Privacy Policy

Table of Contents

  • Basics
  • Science
  • Regulations
  • ASTM Types
  • Applications
  • Other Products
  • Colors
  • Spec Sheets
  • Oralite Product Catalogs
  • Reflectivity AI Chatbot
All Content Copyrighted - Reflective Inc. - 2023