Identify reflective tape types and styles according to how they will be used or worn for your business. Reflective safety tape comes in plenty of colors, styles, grades and quantities so that you can pick the ones you want to use for viewing, flagging and marking purposes, such as with construction signs, transportation, and landscaping and surveying projects. Consider bright colors when selecting reflective tape types and styles, so that your employees and work-related objects can be identified day or night.

Reflective tape types and styles also vary depending on their physical properties. These features include strength, adhesion to various surfaces, temperature, light and chemical resistance. Reflective tape vendors distribute their products as rolls that are 1, 2 and 3 inches in width. Some vendors sell reflective tape ranging from 50 to 150 yards in length. Make sure to buy reflective tape with high visibility and safety capabilities for your project needs.

1. Buy reflective tape based on style, whether it is laser reflective tape, industrial reflective tape or reflective tape adhesive.

2. Choose black reflective tape or other colors that work best in light or dark settings.

3. Identify reflective tape grades such as high intensity, construction, engineering and multipurpose.

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Pick reflective tape styles according to the project you plan to accomplish

Buy reflective tape adhesive to apply to trucks, or to identify construction signs, hazards and other warnings related to traffic, construction or packaging. Use nonadhesive reflective tape for activities such as land surveying, flagging and barricading.

I recommend: Find adhesive and nonadhesive reflective safety tape at Mutual Industries. Reflective tape vendors such as NADCO distribute varieties such as glow-in-the-dark, anti-slip and barricade tapes.

Identify the appropriate colors of reflective safety tape

Pick industrial reflective tape designed for high-visibility, performance and safety applications. Common colors for reflective safety tape include red, white, silver, gold, green, yellow, blue, orange and black.

I recommend: Metlon distributes 3M reflective tape and rolls that are compliant with standards set by the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA). Harris Industries also distributes reflective safety tape of different colors for daytime and nighttime visibility.

Choose reflective tape based on grades

Some industrial reflective tape grades include high-intensity, engineering, conspicuity and multipurpose utility. Match tape grades to the specifications of the job.

I recommend: Can-Do National Tape stocks multipurpose-grade tape for signage and other decorative applications that have wide-angle reflectivity capabilities. Conspicuity reflective tape is also available for use on tractor-trailers. Purchase engineering-grade industrial reflective tape from Adhesives and Tapes.

Buy reflective tape for office, industrial, pavement and vehicle uses. Purchase reflective tapes in many sizes and colors. Look for reflective tape that will easily mark dangerous areas in warehouses or factories. Choose reflective tapes for vehicles that are approved by the US Department of Transportation.

Once you've picked a supplier, get the latest reflective tape information from them. Stay up-to-date with the latest safety standards, and replace your reflective tape when it starts showing wear. Choose your reflective tape colors and sizes based on what you will be using them for. Tape colors such as white, yellow and orange are the brightest reflecting options.

1. Find industrial reflective tape in the width you need.

2. Choose a color based on the use. Make sure it serves as a safety measure and not an unsightly hazard.

3. Apply reflective tape following manufacturer directions to ensure the longest life possible.

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Buy reflective safety tape in many colors and styles

Choose from many different styles of 3M reflective tape and other brands. Reflective safety tapes work great for emergency vehicles, gates, signs, boats, bicycles and helmets. Other safety tapes include conspicuity tapes for tractor trailer use. Make sure the tape is approved by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) before you buy it for vehicles.

I recommend: Identi-Tape sells reflective tape in a variety of colors including black reflective tape. Order Reflexite brand conspicuity tapes from Cole Farms. The tapes are DOT approved for tractor trailers.

Choose industrial reflective tape depending on the use

Reflective tape products include highway tape to use for temporary traffic relocating, tape to use in warehouses to warn of dangerous machinery and countless other uses. Find industrial reflective tape for marking parking areas, poles in odd places, entrances and exits or any other use you want. Look for a tape with superior strength, made to hold up in outdoor conditions or through normal wear-and-tear.

I recommend: Buy wet reflective tape for road use from Fol Tape, LLC. Order striped reflective hazard tape for industrial use at Industrial Tape Connection, LLC. Order vinyl reflective tape from Uline.

Order many different sizes of reflective adhesive tape

When your reflective tape needs vary on a regular basis, find a supplier that will sell you the width and length tape you need. Don't settle for a standard size roll of reflective tape that you'll need to modify to fit your use. Custom order your tape in any color you want.

I recommend: At The Tape Depot, you can choose from 1/2-inch to 6-inch wide reflective safety tape in several lengths and colors. Order customized length adhesive reflective tapes from Can-Do National Tape.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy reflective tape for other uses such as styling on boats, vehicles, mailboxes, billboard or other signage. Reflective tape may be a safety product, but it has many other uses.

Reflective tape applications and uses are found in several industries and applications, including plumbing, electrical, aerospace, automotive and construction. Reflective safety tape can be used for moving equipment, construction and hazard signs. Reflective tape applications and uses are also appropriate for signs, graphics, HVAC units and medical equipment for identification and marking purposes. Industrial reflective tape and reflective safety tape can adhere to a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, ceramic, concrete and foam. Other compatible materials include glass, paper, rubber and fabric.

When choosing industrial reflective tape, focus on material and adhesive quality, which comes as single-sided adhesive or non-adhesive. One side of reflective tape is coated for adhesion, while non-adhesive reflective tapes require an applicator. Look for characteristics like electrostatic discharge, radio frequency protection and suitability to light and temperature. To understand reflective tape applications and uses or to find out more information:

1. Seek assistance from reflective tape vendors in the appropriate uses of industrial reflective tape.

2. Review reflective safety tape standards published by the U.S. Department of Transportation if you plan to use tape for company vehicles.

3. Buy reflective tape based on the colors and grades, which indicate the appropriate office and industrial applications.

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Consult with reflective tape vendors to ensure the right reflective tape for business uses

Reflective tape vendors and other adhesive manufacturers provide detailed information, specifications and instructions regarding various types and sizes industrial reflective tape.

I recommend: 3M reflective tape is used for nighttime visibility on signs, vehicles, work apparel and other equipment to enhance safety. Find guides on product solutions, technical data and certifications. Can-Do National Tape stocks multipurpose and utility reflective tapes for decorating and marking purposes. The company also provides custom tape converting services.

Review reflective tape standards set by organizations or government entities

Articles and other official documents provide information regarding the uses of vehicle-related equipment such as reflective tape.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration features articles and compliance testing information on reflective tape and other reflective devices and vehicle equipment. The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council also provides general information on industrial tapes, such as reflective tape. Educational resources, such as seminars, are also presented on the effective uses.

Pick industrial reflective tape based on colors and types

After learning the reflective tape applications and uses, choose from 3M reflective tape, black reflective tape, laser reflective, safety tape and reflective adhesive tape.

I recommend: Buy reflective tape from vendors such as Identi-Tape. Red, silver, white, engineer-grade, reflective tape adhesive, iron-on and conspicuity tape are available for use on clothing, railroad equipment, sensors and company vehicles. Custom reflective tape vendor NADCO features high-intensity-grade reflective tape and pressure-sensitive reflective adhesive tape. Products apply to markets such as aerospace, packaging, science and environmental industries.

From boats and emergency vehicles to safety vests and hardhats, reflective tape can make just about anything visible in even the worst weather conditions. Although it probably sees the most use in the emergency response and marine industries, reflective tape can also be incredibly useful in small business applications such as protecting workers on a construction site. Before buying reflective tape, however, it's helpful to review a few of the product's key terms.

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SOLAS

Short for the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS is a set of international standards enacted to ensure maritime safety. SOLAS-certified reflective tape is generally the brightest, most durable tape you can find.

I recommend: Check out Cole Brothers selection of sew-on and self-adhesive SOLAS reflective tape.

Mil

Manufacturers measure reflective tape thickness in mils, also known as thous. Each mil is equal to .001 inches. Common tape thicknesses are between 5 and 8 mils.

I recommend: EcoBox provides a definition for the term and gives the conversion method for calculating mil in inches.

Reflection angle

High-quality reflective tape has a reflection angle of 90 degrees. This means that under the right conditions, the people will see the tape from the side.

I recommend: View examples of 90-degree reflective by visiting Uline Shipping Supplies. The company carries a few products that meet the requirements.

Adhesion

Reflective tape and other kinds of industrial tape must undergo testing for adhesion, or stickiness. Manufacturers specify a tape's adhesion in terms of ounces per inch, abbreviated oz/in. This is the amount of force required to pull a piece of tape from a flat steel surface at a 90-degree angle.

I recommend: Known for making high-quality adhesives including duct tape, Duck Products has a good glossary of tape terms on its website.

Reflexite

Reflexite is a leading manufacturer of reflective tape, garments, patches and other safety items. Its proprietary technologies often work in other products, and its tape is widely sold.

I recommend: Head to the Reflexite website for more information about its reflective tapes and light management technologies.

Candela

Also known as candlepowers, candelas are the SI unit of measurement for the intensity of light, or luminosity. Manufacturers occasionally include a reflective tape's luminosity in candelas for the product specifications.

I recommend: The National Institute of Standards and Technology has published an article on the candela. For a deeper look into luminosity, check out the whitepaper on candelas at Electro Optical Industries.