Indoor signs
4/11/2017
Reflective vinyl is one of the many specialty vinyls available today. It is similar to standard vinyl in that it can be cut to shape & applied to any glossy surface. It is different in the fact that it has a metallic, reflective base that causes it to reflect back light when light is shone on it. Most people have seen this on road signs or street signs, police cars, ambulance or emergency trucks and fire trucks. This allows your decals to stand out at night.
All of our street signs come in one of three varieties: Engineer grade, Hi-Intensity prismatic grade, or Diamond-grade reflective sheeting. But what exactly are the differences between these?
Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting typically meets ASTM D4956 Type 1 standards and is an enclosed film or lens using glass beads or prismatic optical technology.
This material is specified for use on non-critical street and road signs such as parking signs or way-finding signs. It has less reflectivity than the other types mentioned in the original question. Standard colors are white, yellow, red, blue, green, and brown.
Engineer grade reflective sheeting is also used often for reflective stickers and decals, as it is printable both with digital and screen printing methods. It is also cut-able using a die cutter or a vinyl plotter, which makes it useful for creating reflective decals that are cut to a specified shape.
Engineer grade reflective vinyl utilizes an aggressive acrylic adhesive which makes it difficult to remove. Use of heat from a heat gun or hair dryer will aid in the removal of EG reflective sheeting, but often the vinyl will be separated from the adhesive, and it becomes necessary to use a glue remover to soften and remove the adhesive.
Most EG reflective films have a 5-7 year outdoor durability, and are not considered a “long-term use” material.
High Intensity Prismatic (HIP) Sheeting meets ASTM requirement standards for D4956-09 Type III and Type IV, as well as ASTM 4956-07 Type X. It is a non-metallized micro prismatic lens reflective sheeting that is used mainly for reflective traffic and road signs, barricades or other road construction zone devices, and traffic delineators such as cones or barrels.
HIP sheeting is highly reflective, and its durable topcoat protects signs and other traffic control devices against scratches and abrasion. Not only is it highly reflective at night, it also commands attention during the day as well.
HIP Reflective Sheeting is used for more permanent traffic signs, work zone devices, etc., and comes in white, yellow, red, orange, blue, green, and brown.
HIP reflective sign materials will last longer than its EG reflective film counterpart. This material is considered to be mid to long-range durability, and typically will last about 10 years.
Lastly, Diamond Grade Reflective Sheeting (DG3) is a full cube prismatic reflective sheeting that returns almost 60% of the available light to vehicle drivers which is about double what HIP reflective sheeting reflects. DG3 reflective sheeting meets the specifications of ASTM Type XI standard.
Currently all new “critical” traffic control signs (such as Stop signs, speed limit signs, etc.) are required to utilize this type of sheeting.
DG3 sheeting was engineered to reflect the newer headlights in late-model automobiles, as well as to help older drivers with greater luminescence, as well as truck drivers whose lights are able to pick up signs that utilize DG3 better and at greater distances.
Available stock colors include white, yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and brown. Another color, fluorescent yellow-green, is also available and is used primarily in school zones, and has superior luminescence both during the daytime and night.
