What is Reflective tape?

Reflective tape is made of tens of thousands of tiny glass beads, which when exposed to a light source, reflect light back while also providing a clear image of the object directly back to that same light source. It is these qualities that make retro-reflective tape deal for people like firefighters and mine workers, who work in low-visibility environments. In an environment with little or no light, retro-reflective tape enables the wearer to visible and therefore, safer.

Reflective tape is the wearer to be suitably identified as human as opposed to a static reflective surface or object. For example, in a mine, the headlights of a truck will pick up the retro-reflective tape on the PPE worn by a pedestrian, allowing the truck driver to be able to see whether the object is human and whether they are moving or static. Due to the unique properties of retro-reflective tape, the viewer or approaching vehicle is able to identify the shape of the source and react accordingly. The garment configuration and design is also important as this will assist in identifying whether the wearer is walking towards or away from the light source. PPE designed for low-visibility, high-risk conditions such as mining will have strategically-placed retro-reflective tape on the garment, which is in accordance with their country or region’s high-visibility standards.

Types of Reflective Tapes

There are many types of reflective tape available, each of which varies with regard to brightness and other features to suit different applications.

Engineer-grade reflective tape.
This high-quality, high-gloss tape is made from an enclosed lens retro reflective material. It is pressure-sensitive, adhering to various flat surfaces. While it was originally designed for use on vehicles to improve visibility during nighttime driving, it is also used on road signs.
High-intensity reflective tape.
This high-quality, high-gloss tape is made from microprismatic retro reflective material. It is highly durable, withstanding temperatures between -40° F to 180° F. It is typically good for a decade before it needs to be replaced due to wear and tear.

Engineering Grade Reflective Tape

Engineering grade reflective tape has a pressure-sensitive adhesive. It uses either glass beads or prismatic optical technology to make it reflective.

The common use for this product is on traffic signs. Because it is not as reflective as other grades, it tends to be used on signs not critical to safety, such as parking signs. People may also use it for reflective decals or stickers. It is compatible with digital and screen printing and die cutting and can be temporary or permanent, with a durability of up to seven years.

High-Intensity Grade Reflective Tape
High-intensity grade reflective tape has a honeycomb prism surface. It is highly reflective and vibrant, reflecting both during the day and night.

The most common application is for situations where safety depends on something being visible, such as traffic cones or barricades.

This product also has a topcoat that increases its durability. It should last up to 10 years.

The manufacture of high-intensity grade reflective tape produces fewer emissions and uses far less energy than engineer-grade tape manufacturing.

Diamond Grade Reflective Tape
Diamond grade reflective tape has cube prisms. It reflects even more light than high-intensity grade tape and reflects equally well during the day or night.

In the United States, new signage for traffic control usually uses this type of tape because it is brighter than other options. It is also a common choice for school zones and other critical safety applications.

The adhesive is pressure-sensitive, and the sheet is usually aluminum. It can also be used with screen printing.

Reflective Tape Warning Tape

Applications for Reflective Tape

Reflective tape can be used in many different applications, including, but not limited to, the following:

Sewing reflective tape to the outside of a jacket, pants, or shirt can increase your visibility while working or walking in high-traffic or low-light areas.
Vehicles, trailers, bikes, and motorcycles. These pieces of equipment generally already have reflectors. However, many people add reflective tape to the back or sides of them for extra visibility.
Objects near driveways and in parking lots. Handrails, low fences, and other barriers can be difficult to notice, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar parking lot or driveway. Reflective tape can highlight these objects as you navigate a narrow parking lot or a curved driveway.
Reflective tape can protect your mailbox from being hit by unaware drivers or bicyclists, especially if it is close to the road or partially or completely hidden.
Boats and ships. Reflective tape on the deck and the outside of the craft can help passengers and other boats avoid accidents involving out-jutting parts and protruding edges.

The main goal when using reflective tape is to increase the visibility of the object or surface upon which you apply it. While it is frequently used in the transportation industry, there are a range of other common uses.

Road and Traffic Safety
The top use for reflective tape is for road and traffic safety because it helps keep people safe when navigating roadways. Reflective tape is an effective way of alerting people to hazards on the road, and it is particularly dependable because it doesn’t rely on electricity or another energy source to work.

Vehicle Markings and Stripes

The DOT requires certain colors and sizes of tape. It also specifies the exact location of the tape on the trailer.

Reflective Traffic Cones and Barricades
The DOT, state transportation agencies, and others within the road construction industry use reflective tapes to help make cones and barricades more visible. Drivers are less likely to run into these items if they can more easily see them.

Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety
Reflective tape is also a great tool for bicycles and motorcycles, which are already at a disadvantage on roadways. These small modes of transportation are easy to overlook, which can lead to serious and deadly accidents. Bicycles and motorcycles adorned with reflective tape are more visible to other drivers and less likely to fade into the darkness.

Workplace and Industrial Safety
Another common area of use for reflective tape is within industrial or work settings. There are a variety of ways this product can make these environments safer.

Construction and Hazard Zones
Construction zones are among the most dangerous work environments and can also pose a risk to the general public. Safety is a top priority on many job sites.

Reflective tape allows for marking hazards throughout the site, such as dropoffs or low overhead areas. They also work well to alert people to barriers and to note areas where people should not enter.

Safety Gear and Clothing
Not only can tape adorn vehicles and physical structures, but it is also usable on clothing and gear to protect the wearer. Adorning hard hats with reflective tape can help make the heads of workers more visible. Adding it to clothing also ensures people are easier to see.

Equipment and Machinery Visibility
Machinery and equipment can cause deadly accidents. Using reflective tape can help to mark dangerous parts or ensure the edges of equipment is visible. Applying the tape to floors can also help workers to better navigate the work area. It is also highly usable on farm machinery to help increase awareness of dangerous parts or pieces.

Personal Safety
Reflective tape is not just for businesses or government agencies. It can also be helpful in everyday applications.

Outdoor Activities and Sports
Outdoor activities and sports often involve plenty of equipment, from pads to goals to cones. Putting reflective tape on your outdoor gear and sports equipment can help make it stand out so you’re less likely to leave anything behind when you finish.

SOLAS tape is an option that works especially well on marine items, such as life jackets or kayaks. This tape provides visibility in case of an emergency. Using it on watercraft helps increase safety, especially if the weather turns stormy.

Pet Safety
Using reflective tape on your pet collars or harnesses can make them more visible and much easier to find in the dark. Pet owners may also apply it to leashes, which can help to make nighttime walks safer.

Camping and Hiking
Camping and hiking are great times to use reflective tape. It can help you to be more visible at night, but it also comes in handy for making repairs to ripped canvas or adding to equipment so you don’t misplace it.

Function of Reflective tape

The below is by no means exhaustive but hopefully it proves a little useful in inspiring you to come up with your own ideas. As always if you do come up with a particularly interesting use, we’d love to hear about it.

Sewn To Clothing
For those of you looking to increase your visibility when exercising at night or working in areas with passing traffic, a little reflective tape sewn to the outside of jackets or shirts can be a huge help.
Though you can use our reflective tapes for this, they’re not designed for it so we don’t recommend it. You can buy reflective fabric that doesn’t have the adhesive and is a little more flexible. This may be a better option for sewing to clothes.

Vehicles and TrailersReflective Tape on a Toll Liquids Tanker At Night
One of the more common uses for reflective tape is on the sides and backs of vehicles, rolling stock or trailers. While most of these already have reflectors, many companies and people see benefits in increasing their visibility by adding more. This can be of real benefit if the vehicle or trailer is parked in a partially obscured spot or high traffic area at night or in low light conditions.

Highlighting Objects On The Edge Of Driveways
Something I’m sure will strike a chord with anyone who has to repeatedly back out of a curved, sloped or complex driveway; object on the edge can be a real hazard. Especially things with a narrow profile (like handrails) as these can be hard to spot in your rear-view mirror and parking sensors don’t always pick them up.

If your driveway has things like this on its edges, it could well be worth placing a little reflective tape on them to increase their visibility at night. Of course you’ll never need them but it could make life a little easier and save some serious embarrassment next time you have people around for a barbeque.

Bikes and MotorcyclesReflective Tape on a Bicycle
Most come with some reflectors. But in our experience a few extras can’t hurt. Just be sure that you affix the reflective tape so that you are not obscuring or obstructing any critical component. Every states regulations are slightly different on this point so it may well be worth checking first.

Letterboxes
If your letterbox sits particularly close to your driveway, or is in an area where it may be obscured by surrounding gardens, a little reflective tape placed at strategic points can significantly increase its visibility. This can be particularly useful in raising its profile for visitors who may park in your driveway, then have to reverse out after sunset.

Bike HelmetsReflective Tape Applied To Helmet
If you’re planning on riding at night, a couple of reflective spots on your helmet can significantly increase your visibility.

Boats and Ships
Reflective tape on the topside, sizes and underside of your craft can make a big difference to visibility and safety. Obvious placement points include out-jutting parts and on protruding edges (though low doorways may also be worth thinking about as per point ???). One area you may not have thought of is the underside of the boat. If the worst does happen and the craft is overturned, an aerial search will be easier if there’s some reflective tape in place to help catch searchers attention. This is particularly pertinent for life rafts and smaller vessels.

Life Jackets
Many come with reflective strips already attached but like my point about bikes, depending on the make it could be worth augmenting this with a few strategically placed extras.

Sewn To Children’s BagsReflective Tape on A Back Pack
Especially if they’re walking to or from school in winter, a little reflective can increase visibility to cars and other vehicles. You won’t need much for this to work, just a few small squares or a single strategically placed strip should have the desired effect.

One tip with this, ensure you choose a Reflective Tape that contrasts in colour with the bag. I.e. White Tape for a red bag is better than red on red.

Bollards and Posts
This is one of the most common uses for Reflective Tape already so I won’t spend a lot of time covering it. Especially when they are installed in low light areas (like underground car parks), increasing the visibility of bollards, safety rails, support posts and pillars by placing some reflective tape on/around them can make a lot of safety sense.

Ledges and Steps
Highlighting sudden drops or rises on the ground is a great use for reflective tape. A narrow strip on the edge of a step can significantly raise awareness and help prevent tripping or the potential for falls.

In these applications, it is very important to ensure that the tape is applied smoothly without any bumps or raised edges. Choosing a tape with a strong adhesive will help with this. You should also prioritise abrasion resistance. No matter if you choose to place the tape on the flat or vertical part of the step, it will see some abrasion from people walking on it, so a tape with higher abrasion resistance will last longer.

Low Hanging Objects
Whether at home or in the workplace, a little reflective tape can go a long way in increasing the visibility of low doorways, objects and clearances. These can include entryways to garden sheds, garage doors that are sometimes kept at half height or pipes that run across walkways.

At home, this can help avoid head injuries or accidents. In the workplace, this can be especially important if a forklift is operating. Garage doors are a definite hazard if they are kept half-way down (say, to stop rain blowing in) and a forklift operator is used to having full clearance when passing through. In such situations, anything you can do to increase awareness and visibility of the potential hazard may well prove worthwhile.

Witches Hats / Safety ConesReflective Tape on A Traffic Cone
Safety cones, witches hats, traffic cones; there’s a few different names for them and even more styles available. Most are made in highly visible colours and many already come with retro-reflective sheeting applied, but not all.

For those styles that do not come with the reflective already in place (or if the original reflective has worn away) replacement is easy. A band of reflective tape wrapped around the cone towards the top will significantly increase the visibility and therefore the effectiveness of the safety cone. Generally speaking, we’d suggest choosing a reflective tape that contrasts in colour with the cone but this choice is, of course, up to you.

Warehouse Floors
Reflective Tape can be a highly effective and highly visible way of marking out either safety areas or hazards in factories or warehouses. Clearance zones around high voltage equipment, underneath drop hazards and delineating emergency exit paths are just three potential applications.

Shenzhen You-San Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 1997. It is a diversified group company covering industrial tapes,Reflective tape, film products and die-cutting divisions. As an innovative enterprise integrating R&D, production and sales, we are proud of our R&D team with adhesive and precision coating technologies, covering polymer synthesis, polymer rheology technology, high-performance film research, precision coating and High-precision die-cutting manufacturing and other fields. We provide customers with full-process adhesive tape application solutions.
Headquartered in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the innovation capital of mainland China, it also has production bases and sales departments in Hong Kong, Dongguan, Huizhou, Kunshan, Xiamen, Yancheng and Jinhua. We not only meet the needs of domestic customers, but also actively participate in global economic integration and international industrial division of labor, and strive to integrate into the global supply chain.
The company has always adhered to the principles of quality first, innovative development, and customer satisfaction as its highest pursuit. In addition, we provide ODM and OEM services to meet customers’ personalized needs.

Industrial Tape Division
The Industrial Tape Division covers multiple series of products, including double-sided tape, foam tape, high-temperature tape, electrically conductive and thermally conductive tape, insulating tape, single-sided tape and new energy materials. These products are widely used in various industries, including electronics, new energy, industrial manufacturing and other fields.

Film Products Division
The Film Products Division has introduced Japanese high-precision blown film production lines and multiple high-precision coating lines to provide research and development support for new materials such as high-performance protective films. We focus on the research and development, production and sales of protective films. Our product series include PE, PET, PU, CPP, PP, OPP, acid-proof film, release film, UV tack-reducing film, OCA optical glue, privacy film, encapsulation film, Nano-texture PC, etc., are widely used in many fields, such as electronics, plastics, glass, glass etching, etc.

Die Cutting Division
The products of the Die Cutting Division are mainly used for surface protection, strong adhesion, shockproofing and sealing of electronic and electrical accessories. We serve multiple industries, including panel manufacturing, mobile phone accessories, automobiles, transformers, glass, home appliances, plastics and hardware, etc.