Overview
A silver glass-bead reflective tape with a hotmelt adhesive, applied by heat press instead of sewing. It removes the stitch line and the needle holes that let water into a garment, which is why it is the usual choice for lightweight workwear and for trims that cross a seam.
Why it suits industrial laundry
- Over 50 industrial wash cycles at ISO 15797, 75 °C with 90 °C tumble dry
- Silver glass-bead face at over 420 cd/(lx·m²)
- Hotmelt adhesive, applied by heat press
- Slit from 1 cm to 140 cm
- Specified for EN ISO 20471 and ANSI/ISEA 107 programmes, with test documentation confirmed per order
Wash performance of a hotmelt bond depends on the substrate and on the press conditions, so the bond is confirmed on your own fabric before the run starts.
Specifications
| Code | RS-F-IW-04 |
| Colour | Silver |
| Backing | Hotmelt adhesive |
| Reflectivity | >420 cd/(lx·m²) |
| Industrial washing | >50 cycles, ISO 15797 at 75 °C with 90 °C tumble dry |
| Home washing | >50 cycles |
| Dry cleaning | >50 cycles |
| Width | 1 – 140 cm |
| Application | Heat-press trim for workwear and sportswear |
The bond is the weak point, not the face
Heat-applied tape under industrial laundering fails at the adhesive line before the reflective face degrades. State the cycle, and expect the press parameters to matter as much as the tape grade.
What to confirm before ordering
- Measured coefficient and test method: a figure without its method is not comparable between suppliers.
- Wash cycle: domestic or industrial - the adhesive changes with the cycle.
- Substrate or shell fabric: send it, so the bond can be matched rather than assumed.
- Width and slitting: state the finished width, since slitting changes the edge.
Compliance note
The silver glass-bead face is stated at over 420 cd/(lx·m²), which clears the 330 cd/(lx·m²) floor that EN ISO 20471 sets for retroreflective material. Clearing the figure is not the same as holding the claim: the standard also fixes minimum areas and placement, and the assessment is made on the finished garment. Confirm that the 420 figure applies to the material as supplied, at the wash cycle you will specify.
If the finished article has to carry an EN ISO 20471 or ANSI/ISEA 107 claim, say so before the order: the grade and the evidence are chosen together, and changing either afterwards means a new build.
Related formats
Related builds: High Quality Grey Reflective Tape, Super Quality Silver Reflective Tape. Overview at Reflective Materials.
Samples and lead time
A4 swatches are free so your team can check colour and hand feel before committing. Standard lead time is 2–4 weeks from order confirmation.
