Perforated Reflective Fabric
Reflective, and it can still breathe.
Reflective fabric perforated on a regular pattern so air and moisture pass through the panel — for vests and summer workwear where a solid reflective panel traps heat.
What we supply
A solid reflective panel is a sealed layer, and on a summer vest that means heat and moisture have nowhere to go. Perforating the fabric trades a small amount of reflective area for airflow through the panel. The pattern pitch is the variable that matters: a denser pitch vents better but removes more reflective surface, so the two are specified together against how the garment is worn.
Vented reflective panel
Perforated Reflective Fabric
RS-F-FB-13
A regular perforation pattern lets air and moisture move through the reflective layer. It is the build used where the panel would otherwise be a sealed sheet against the body.
- Regular perforation pattern, pitch to specification
- Air and moisture pass through the panel
- 140 cm wide
- Trades a small reflective area for airflow
- Suits hi-vis vests, summer workwear and cycling apparel
RS-F-FB-13 · specifications
| Code | Base | Perforation | Width | Airflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS-F-FB-13 | Reflective textile | Regular pattern | up to 140 cm | Vented |
FAQ | Perforated reflective fabric
What buyers ask before specifying perforated reflective fabric — why vent it, what it costs in reflectivity, and where it should not be used.
Why perforate a reflective panel?
Because a solid reflective layer is sealed: on a vest worn over a shirt in summer it traps heat and moisture. Perforating lets the panel breathe, which is the difference between a reflective vest that gets worn and one that gets taken off.
How much reflectivity does the perforation cost?
It removes reflective area in proportion to the hole pattern, so the effective reflective surface is lower than a solid panel of the same size. How much depends on the pitch, which is why pitch and panel size are specified together rather than chosen independently.
Is it still compliant for hi-vis garments?
Compliance is assessed on the finished garment against the standard you are certifying, and perforated panels are handled differently from solid ones in that assessment. Tell us the target standard and class; the pitch is then set so the finished panel can meet it.
Can perforated fabric be used on outerwear?
It can, but it is not water-repellent — the holes pass water as readily as air. On outerwear the perforated panel is normally used on areas that do not face the weather directly, or on warm-weather garments where rain is not the design case.
Does perforation weaken the fabric?
The pattern is set so the remaining material carries the load, but the tear strength of a perforated panel is lower than the solid fabric. On high-stress areas, keep the perforated zone away from seam lines and anchor points.
How is it washed?
Wash performance is confirmed per build against the wash programme supplied with the order. Perforated panels are more exposed to abrasion at the hole edges, so industrial laundering should be named up front rather than assumed.
Can we sample the pitch on our garment?
Yes. Send the garment and the climate it is worn in, and a panel is perforated at the proposed pitch so airflow, hand feel and appearance can be judged on the real garment before the run.
Perforation pitch is made to order and is specified together with the reflective area. Wash performance is confirmed against the wash programme supplied with the order. Perforated panels are not water-repellent. Test documentation is confirmed with the quotation.
Send the garment and the climate.
Tell us where the panel sits, how hot the wearer runs and whether it is laundered industrially, and the answer comes back with the pitch, the build and a price.