Silver Reflective Fabric
One reflective surface, five backings.
Polyester taffeta, thin spandex, four-way stretch, waterproof and nylon taffeta — the same glass-bead reflective face on the backing each garment actually needs.
What we supply
Silver reflective fabric is a glass-bead retro-reflective layer bonded to a textile backing. The reflective face is the same across the range; what changes is the backing, and the backing is what decides whether the fabric survives the garment it is sewn into. A taffeta that holds a vest shape will not drape on a running jacket, and a stretch backing on a rigid workwear shell will pucker. The five builds below are the same product specified against five different end uses.
The economical default
Silver Reflective Fabric on Polyester Taffeta
RS-F-FB-01
Glass-bead reflective fabric on a 190T polyester taffeta backing. It is the lowest-cost route to a bright silver surface, which is why it is the default on high-volume safety garments.
- 190T polyester taffeta backing, firm hand
- Over 330 cd/(lx·m²)
- Full width up to 140 cm (55 in)
- Certification targets: EN 20471, ANSI 107, CSA-Z96
- Suits vests, trousers and uniform trim at volume
RS-F-FB-01 · specifications
| Code | Backing | Reflectivity | Width | Hand feel | Certification targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-FB-01 | 190T polyester taffeta | > 330 | up to 140 cm | Firm | EN 20471 / ANSI 107 / CSA-Z96 |
Stretch without bulk
Silver Reflective Fabric on Thin Spandex
RS-F-FB-02
A thin spandex backing gives the reflective layer elasticity without weight. The fabric moves with the garment and returns to shape, so the reflective face does not crack along seams in a moving fit.
- 100 g/m² spandex backing
- Over 250 cd/(lx·m²)
- Full width up to 140 cm (55 in)
- Recovers with the garment after stretch
- Suits running, cycling and leggings
RS-F-FB-02 · specifications
| Code | Backing | Reflectivity | Width | Stretch | Certification targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-FB-02 | 100 g/m² spandex | > 250 | up to 140 cm | Elastic | EN 20471 / ANSI 107 |
Stretch and vent
Four-Way Stretch Reflective Fabric
RS-F-FB-03
Stretch in both directions with perforations through the reflective layer. The perforations are what make it wearable in heat: a solid reflective panel traps sweat against the body.
- Spandex backing, four-way stretch
- Over 250 cd/(lx·m²)
- 140 cm wide
- Perforated for airflow
- Suits technical outerwear and cycling jerseys
RS-F-FB-03 · specifications
| Code | Backing | Reflectivity | Width | Stretch | Airflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-FB-03 | Spandex | > 250 | 140 cm | Four-way | Perforated |
Visible in the rain
Waterproof Silver Reflective Fabric
RS-F-FB-04
Reflective performance and a 10,000 mm water column in the same fabric. Rain garments usually force a choice between keeping the reflective panel dry and keeping it visible; this construction does both.
- 100% polyester backing
- R over 260 cd/(lx·m²)
- 140 cm wide
- 10,000 mm water column
- Suits raincoats and wet-weather workwear
RS-F-FB-04 · specifications
| Code | Backing | Reflectivity | Width | Water column |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-FB-04 | 100% polyester | R > 260 | 140 cm | 10,000 mm |
The soft one
Silver Reflective Fabric on Nylon Taffeta
RS-F-FB-05
The high-count nylon gives a silky, quiet hand that heavier backings cannot match, while keeping reflectivity at the top of the range. It is the version designers accept when the garment has to feel premium.
- 380T nylon taffeta backing
- Over 330 cd/(lx·m²)
- Full width up to 140 cm (55 in)
- Super soft, silky hand feel
- Suits activewear and fashion outerwear
RS-F-FB-05 · specifications
| Code | Backing | Reflectivity | Width | Hand feel | Certification targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-FB-05 | 380T nylon taffeta | > 330 | up to 140 cm | Soft / silky | EN 20471 / ANSI 107 |
FAQ | Silver reflective fabric
What buyers ask before specifying reflective fabric — fabric versus tape, backing choice, washing, panel width and what a test on their own garment actually proves.
What is the difference between silver reflective fabric and reflective tape?
Fabric is a continuous piece of material you cut and sew like any shell fabric, so a whole panel can be reflective. Tape is a narrow trim with a finished edge, applied along seams and hems. If the design needs a reflective area rather than a reflective line, fabric is the right input.
Which backing should we choose for a jacket shell?
Match the backing to how the garment moves and what it has to survive. Polyester taffeta is the economical choice for workwear that does not need drape. Nylon taffeta gives a softer, quieter hand for premium outerwear. Thin spandex and four-way stretch are for garments that flex at the elbow, shoulder or knee. Waterproof is for rain shells, where the reflective panel has to shed water rather than absorb it.
Does the reflective layer survive washing?
It depends on construction, wash programme and how the panel is sewn. Wash performance is confirmed per construction against the programme supplied with the order rather than quoted as a blanket number. Heavy industrial laundering is a different specification from home washing and has to be named up front.
Can the fabric be cut, sewn and seam-sealed like normal shell fabric?
It cuts and sews on standard equipment. Where a seam has to be sealed, the sealing tape and the reflective surface have to be compatible, so tell us at quotation if the garment is seam-sealed. Perforated versions vent heat but do not hold a water column.
How wide can the reflective panel be?
Up to 140 cm (55 in) full width on most backings, which is enough to cut a full front or back panel without a join. Narrower cut widths are available from the same roll.
Do you make colour, gradient and perforated versions of this construction?
Yes. The same backing family is available in colour, gradient and perforated builds, and they are specified the same way: backing, reflectivity, width, then the visual effect. Colour is matched to a Pantone reference.
What reflectivity do we need for EN 20471 or ANSI 107?
The standards set the minimum for the class you are certifying, and the class depends on the garment design, not on the fabric alone. Send the target class and market; the construction is then matched to it, and reflectivity is quoted in cd/(lx·m²) so it can be checked against the standard directly.
Can we test on our own garment before committing to a production run?
Yes. Send the shell fabric, the panel pattern and the wash programme. The reflective fabric is applied to the actual substrate and washed, then checked for bond, hand feel change and residual reflectivity. That test is the only reliable answer, because adhesion and drape change with the substrate.
Reflectivity is given in cd/(lx·m²). Wash performance is confirmed per construction against the wash programme supplied with the order. Colour, gradient and perforated builds are made to order; colour is matched to a Pantone reference. Test documentation for a build is confirmed with the quotation.
Send the garment, not just the spec.
Tell us the shell fabric, where the reflective panel sits and the wash programme, and the answer comes back with the backing, the cut width and a price.