Prismatic Tape
Brighter at distance, because the face is a prism.
Two micro prismatic PVC constructions — plain and checkerboard printed — in 1 to 15 cm widths and four thicknesses, for hi-vis clothing, life vests and bags.
What we supply
A prismatic tape is specified where the reflective line has to stay bright at distance and at an angle: a narrow trim on outerwear, a band across a life vest, a panel on a bag. The reflective face is a micro prism array on a PVC carrier, which holds the plane that the prism needs. The two constructions below differ only in the face — plain or checkerboard printed — while the carrier, the thickness range and the reflectivity stay the same.
Prism array, not glass bead
Micro Prismatic Reflective PVC Tape
RS-F-PT-01
A micro prismatic reflective tape in 100% PVC: the reflective face is an array of micro prisms rather than glass beads, so it returns more light back along the sight line and reads brighter at distance. Sewn on for high visibility clothing, life vests and bags.
- Micro prism face on 100% PVC
- Over 300 cd/(lx·m²)
- 1 – 15 cm widths, made to order
- Four thicknesses: 0.15 / 0.21 / 0.25 / 0.28 mm
- Sew on; daytime colour made to order
RS-F-PT-01 · specifications
| Code | Material | Face | Reflectivity | Width | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-PT-01 | 100% PVC | Micro prismatic | >300 | 1 – 15 cm | 0.15 / 0.21 / 0.25 / 0.28 mm |
Pattern in the reflective face
Checkerboard Prismatic Reflective PVC Tape
RS-F-PT-02
The same micro prismatic PVC construction with a checkerboard print worked into the reflective face. The pattern breaks the tape visually in daylight while the reflective area stays high, so the tape reads as a design line rather than a plain silver band.
- Checkerboard print over a micro prismatic face
- Over 300 cd/(lx·m²)
- 1 – 15 cm, all sizes available
- Four thicknesses: 0.15 / 0.21 / 0.25 / 0.28 mm
- Sew on; pattern scale set per order
RS-F-PT-02 · specifications
| Code | Material | Face | Reflectivity | Width | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-PT-02 | 100% PVC | Micro prismatic, checkerboard print | >300 | 1 – 15 cm | 0.15 / 0.21 / 0.25 / 0.28 mm |
FAQ | Prismatic tape
What buyers ask before specifying a prismatic tape — prism versus glass bead, carrier and thickness, width, attachment and what the checkerboard print changes.
What is a prismatic reflective tape?
A prismatic tape reflects through an array of micro prisms rather than through glass beads. The prism structure returns light more efficiently along the viewing axis, so a prismatic tape of the same area reads brighter at distance and holds up better when it is seen at an angle. It is the usual choice for narrow tapes, trim and garments that are viewed from a distance.
Prismatic or glass bead — which should we specify?
Specify prismatic when brightness at distance and performance at an angle matter, and when the tape is narrow. Glass bead faces are softer, more flexible and usually cheaper, so they suit soft panels and low-cost programmes. Both are measured in cd/(lx·m²), so the numbers are comparable — but the geometry of how light returns is not.
What widths and thicknesses are available?
1 – 15 cm in width, made to order, and four standard thicknesses: 0.15 mm, 0.21 mm, 0.25 mm and 0.28 mm. Thicker film holds a flatter line on a heavy outerwear panel; thinner film follows a curve and adds less bulk.
Why does the PVC carrier matter?
PVC gives a firm, dimensionally stable carrier, which is what keeps a prism array flat. A prism face loses efficiency where the surface creases, so the carrier has to hold the plane. The trade-off is a firmer hand: it suits outerwear, vests, bags and covers better than a soft knit panel.
How is it attached?
Sewn on. The tape is stitched along the edge or through the body depending on the width; the stitch line should stay out of the reflective area wherever the design allows, because stitching through a prism face removes reflective area at the stitch.
What does the checkerboard print do to performance?
The print carries the daytime look and leaves the reflective area between the print reflecting. The reflective coefficient of the tape is quoted for the prismatic areas, not for the printed coverage, so the amount of print and the pattern scale are agreed per order against the brightness the garment needs.
Can the colour be matched, and can we test before ordering?
Daytime colour is made to order, matched to a submitted swatch rather than a screen colour. For a test, send the garment fabric and the intended stitch: the tape is sewn on the real substrate and checked for stitch integrity and residual reflectivity, because both change with the panel and the seam.
Reflectivity is given in cd/(lx·m²) and is quoted for the prismatic area of the tape, not for the printed coverage. Daytime colour, width and pattern scale are made to order. Wash and abrasion performance is confirmed per construction against the programme supplied with the order. Test documentation for a build is confirmed with the quotation.
Send the panel and the width.
Tell us where the tape sits, the garment or product, the width, the thickness and the daytime colour, and the answer comes back with the construction and a price.