silver gray reflective ink

[Sbrem]

Hi all; we've been doing a ton (hundreds at a time) of a reflective vinyl from Siser easy weed. Great product, but tough to cut, and fairly time consuming between weeding (not even close to "easy") and application. It's considerably better than the Union reflective we've been using, but we have a very large order coming and don't really want to cut and weed them, especially if we can find a suitable replacement, WB or Plastisol. I remember from many years ago using WB metallics, and they were better looking than plastisol, so maybe there is a WB reflective that would do the job; recommendations please...

Steve

[tonypep]

Used to by the beads from 3M and suspend them in a glitter clear or WB adhesive base from Matsui. Prepare to break open your wallet.

[JBLUE]

We use Optilux with good results. Its not going to be as bright as the 3M tape but it does pop when the lights hit it.

[blue moon]

We use Optilux with good results. Its not going to be as bright as the 3M tape but it does pop when the lights hit it.

optilux here too. Make sure you get the 507, it's supposedly much better then the 505. They might even have something better by now.

It is activated and good for 8 hours.
It looks good on very dark garments and has to be printed without underbase. it is almost invisible on light colored garments.

If I remember correctly, it can be printed through higher mesh counts (230?)

pierre

[3Deep]

We've used Union's flash-Back inks for fire department shirts, it's pretty good nowhere good as the 3m but works and it want break your wallet. I think we printed it thru 86 or 110 it's been awhile.

Darryl

[pwalsh]

Hi all; we've been doing a ton (hundreds at a time) of a reflective vinyl from Siser easy weed. Great product, but tough to cut, and fairly time consuming between weeding (not even close to "easy") and application. It's considerably better than the Union reflective we've been using, but we have a very large order coming and don't really want to cut and weed them, especially if we can find a suitable replacement, WB or Plastisol. I remember from many years ago using WB metallics, and they were better looking than plastisol, so maybe there is a WB reflective that would do the job; recommendations please...

Steve

Steve:  From what I've seen the performance of the 3M 8000 Series Reflective Textile Ink is head and shoulders above any other ink out there, which is why it's generally specified in for Military, and Emergency Services applications.  The ink is a water-based three part system with base, reflective beads and a catalyst. 

The ink is fairly expensive with a price that's right around $300 per gallon.  I've attached the Tech Data Sheet additional information and although it does state that the ink is comes in Gray, Silver, and White, I'm fairly sure that the Gray 8010 which is gray in daylight, and white when reflected is the only color available.

I hope this helps you out some. 

[tonypep]

The 3M products are also used in traffic signs

[Sbrem]

I've used some 3M products before. There used to be a huge paper company in our town (Dennison) and we would print reflective stripes on paper, a particular distance apart, and they were then wrapped on a cylinder that spun, and the reflective strips were read by a sensor that helped regulate it's speed. What I remember in particular was that we couldn't dry them too fast, we had to wait for the beads to settle, that is, the polished had to be on the bottom, facing upward like a bowl. Thanks everyone, and Peter especially for the 3M tech sheet.

Steve