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  • 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
  • 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
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Category: Basics

Independent Studies Demonstrating the Safety Benefits of Reflective Conspicuity Tapes

Posted on May 12, 2024May 12, 2024 by Steve Cole

Conspicuity tape, known for enhancing the visibility of vehicles, has been extensively studied for its safety benefits. These studies, conducted globally, have established the substantial impact that reflective tape can have in reducing accidents, particularly during low-light conditions. 1983 Vector Study Conducted over two years with 2,000 trucks (half marked, half unmarked), this study showed:…

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frequently asked questions about reflective tape

Quick Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Reflective Tape

Posted on April 15, 2023December 23, 2023 by Steve Cole

This article consists of a collection of frequently asked questions about all the different types of reflective tapes. If you have a question to add, please email me at steve@reflectivestore.com . How does reflective tape reflect? Reflective tapes reflect light back to the source by receiving light, bending light, and bouncing it back to the…

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reflective tapes for different applications

41 Kinds of Reflective Tape That We Stock – Which One is Right for Your Application?

Posted on February 9, 2023December 23, 2023 by Steve Cole

Our company, Reflective Inc., stocks a large variety of reflective tapes and sheeting. This includes adhesive reflective tapes, sew on, and heat applied. The article below lists every tape that we carry in house and gives a brief summary of what each is used for as well as its characteristics. For most of our tapes,…

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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…

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how reflective tape works

How Does Reflective Tape Work?

Posted on December 19, 2022December 23, 2023 by Steve Cole

Reflective tape and sheeting have been making the night time a safer place for over 80 years. During that time, reflective tapes in their various forms have saved countless lives by improving visibility both day and night. Before discussing how retro reflective tape works, it is important to make a distinction between a simple “reflective”…

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who invented reflective tape

The Invention and History of Reflective Tape

Posted on December 21, 2022December 23, 2023 by Steve Cole

The need for Retro Reflective Devices that could be seen when struck by light at night came about from the introduction of the car into the modern world. From the beginning, automobiles came with lights. However, simply having lights on a dark road was not nearly enough to assure personal safety and prevent serious accidents….

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history of traffic signs

The History of Reflective Traffic Signs

Posted on February 3, 2023March 29, 2024 by Steve Cole

The Invention (History) of Reflective Signs In the beginning of automobiles on roads and traffic, signs were painted in different contrasting colors, but with no reflective qualities whatsoever. So often they were invisible at night when they needed to be seen the most. The issue was that there was no known way to make the…

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highest reflective tape brightness

What is the Brightest Reflective Tape?

Posted on December 21, 2022January 22, 2024 by Steve Cole

One question that we have a lot of customers ask is, what is the brightest reflective tape? This is a common question, since often people associate the brightest tape with the best tape. But the fact is, the brightest tape is not always the best for an application. There are other characteristics of reflective films,…

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reflective versus retro-reflective tape

Reflective Versus Retro Reflective Tape – What’s the Difference?

Posted on December 18, 2022December 30, 2022 by Steve Cole

If you can see an object, it is technically reflective since it is bouncing light to your eyes. For a surface to be reflective, it simply has to throw or bounce back light from its surface without absorbing all of it. Most objects use scattered or diffused reflectivity where light is scattered everywhere. A mirror…

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glass bead versus prismatic reflective tape

Glass Bead Versus Micro Prismatic Retro Reflective Tapes

Posted on January 20, 2023December 23, 2023 by Steve Cole

What Sets Prismatic Reflective Tape Apart from Glass Bead Tapes?  Glass bead tapes and prismatic tapes are the 2 types of reflective tape available on the market today. The first reflective tapes used glass bead technology and were invented by 3m in the 30’s. Then Reflexite invented micro prismatic tape in the 1960s. It is interesting that even…

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  • ASTM Types
  • Applications
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