Oralite’s GP025 is a commercial grade heat applied material that is ANSI Level 2 rated. When you see road workers in work zones, it is likely that the reflective garments they wear use Oralite films for reflectivity. While mainly used for work zone apparel, GP025 is also easy for smaller companies or individuals to install on their own garments using a heat press or an iron. This simplicity of application is due to the overall quality of GP025, and its dual liner composition. The blue liner protects the adhesive layer, and the clear liner protects the reflective side. In general terms, application is accomplished by peeling away the blue layer from the material, laying that side on a fabric surface, bonding it with heat and pressure, and then peeling away the clear liner.
| Because of the special liners, this material can also be easily CAD cut into letters and designs, and then heat pressed onto garments. To CAD or Plotter cut Oralite GP025, simply remove the blue transparent layer, CAD cut in reverse (mirror image), and weed. You are now ready to apply the design to a garment using one of the methods below. Note – The material must be loaded in the plotter with the clear liner down. In other words, the blade will be cutting what was under the blue liner. |
Heat Press Method – To apply GP025 onto a garment using a heat press, first pre heat the garment on the press for 2-3 seconds at 300 – 350 degrees. Lay the design down onto your fabric surface and press for 8 – 15 seconds at the same temperature. (Remember that the blue liner on the GP020 must be removed before application. Also note that heat press temperature depends on which fabric you are applying to. See the chart in the pdf below for specifics) After pressing, open the press, allow the garment to cool to a warm temperature, and gently peel off the clear later.
Iron On Method – To apply the reflective GP025 with an iron, heat the iron to between 300 – 350 degrees or match the iron heat to the fabric. (cotton, linen, etc.) Iron the garment to preshrink it if necessary. After peeling away the blue liner, lay the reflective design or striping onto the fabric surface and move the iron over it for 15 – 25 seconds. Use light pressure and make sure to keep the iron moving during the process. Once done, test the bond by peeling up a corner of the clear liner and observing the reflective stripe on the fabric. The stripe should stay firmly affixed to the fabric. In other words, it would have molded or melted itself to the surface. If everything looks good, peel the rest of the clear liner free.
Below is a factory explanation of the application of GP025 with commercial conveyor heat press machines and stationary presses. Please note that temperatures are in Centigrade. Also, please remember that it all fabrics are different. So test a small area if possible before applying larger designs or strips.
If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Me.
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.