Reflective Materials Glossary

Optics and structures

Retroreflective

Materials engineered to return a large share of light toward the source (for example headlights). See what is retroreflective material?.

Glass-bead sheeting

Enclosed-lens constructions that use glass beads. Often paired with engineer-grade marketing families. Structure alone does not define ASTM Type — structure vs ASTM Type.

Microprismatic

Cube-corner / prism optics used in many HIP and higher-performance films. Product entries include HIP and microprismatic traffic sheeting.

Engineer grade (EG)

Catalog family for many commercial and lower-intensity permanent/temporary faces. Engineer grade product.

HIP (High Intensity Prismatic)

Common mid-to-high marketing grade for permanent sign programs. HIP product. Compare families in EG vs HIP guide.

Diamond Grade (trademark caution)

Widely associated with a 3M trademark family. Not used here as a free generic category. Prefer verified Type language and our higher-prismatic product pages. See 3M alternatives.

Sheeting, vinyl, film

Reflective sheeting

Roll-goods film for traffic signs, work-zone devices and many advertising faces. Hub: reflective sheeting.

Reflective vinyl / film

Buyer language that sometimes means sheeting, sometimes printable graphics film, sometimes window film. Cleanup guide: vinyl vs sheeting. Window privacy film is out of scope.

Printable reflective sheeting / vinyl

Faces qualified for screen, UV or eco-solvent systems per SKU. Printable guide, advertising-grade vinyl.

Advertising-grade reflective vinyl

Commercial sign-face films; factory series codes (for example 3100-class) belong on TDS tables. Advertising vinyl, sign shops application.

Vehicle conspicuity

Conspicuity tape

Retroreflective tape that outlines trucks, trailers and similar vehicles. Conspicuity tape.

DOT-C2

U.S.-oriented truck/trailer conspicuity context. DOT-C2 tape. Claims need matching documents.

ECE 104 / E-mark

UNECE-linked vehicle marking context. ECE 104 tape.

SASO 2913

Middle East oriented conspicuity tape context. SASO 2913 tape.

SOLAS reflective tape

Marine / shipboard marking context — not automatic highway DOT tape. SOLAS tape, marine application.

Rear marker plates

Heavy-vehicle rear marking boards/plates (for example ECE 70 style programs). Rear marker plates.

Chevron rear markers

Chevron-geometry rear devices. Do not use the English phrase “chevron board” (polluted SERP). Chevron rear markers.

Standards shorthand

ASTM D4956 Type

Performance classification for sheeting — tested, not inferred from structure nicknames. ASTM overview.

EN 12899-1 / RA1 / RA2

European sheeting class language; always name standard/version with evidence. EN RA classes.

MUTCD retroreflectivity

U.S. sign management context for maintained retroreflectivity. MUTCD page.

Regime comparison (tape)

Vehicle tape regulations — DOT vs ECE vs SASO vs SOLAS orientation (not legal advice).

Chinese factory wording bridges

Factory Chinese	Often means on this site	Not automatically
反光布	Reflective sheeting / advertising vinyl	Clothing fabric
反光带	Conspicuity tape	Apparel sew-on tape
反光后板	Rear marker plates	Roadside traffic signs
高亮	HIP / higher prismatic families (with evidence)	A free ASTM Type number
普亮	Engineer-grade / standard commercial families	“No performance”
亮银	Silver face colorway on film or tape	A regulation by itself
全彩	Printable multi-color process path	Guaranteed ink list
幻彩 / 条彩	Special-effect series if stocked	Core traffic Type
段彩	Physical segmented tape constructions only	Rainbow color blocks

Apparel side note

Clothing reflective fabric, HTV and sew-on tapes are separate RFQs when stocked. They are not the default meaning of factory 反光布 on this catalog.

Related reading

• How to choose reflective sheeting
• Install conspicuity tape
• Buying FAQ

Brand-query landings: 3M alternatives, ORACAL, Avery, Siser HTV, Nikkalite.