Reflective Vehicle Graphics in Colorado Springs

Engineer grade, high intensity, and prismatic films

Reflective films are graded by how much light they return, and brighter films are generally stiffer and harder to apply to curves. ASTM D4956 classifies reflective sheeting by type, and the Federal Highway Administration lists minimum brightness values for new sheeting. For white film, the minimum for a high intensity type is more than three times that of engineer grade.

On vehicles, engineer grade graphic film is the most common choice for full color reflective graphics because it prints and conforms better than prismatic film. Prismatic materials are mainly used as tape, stripes, and chevron panels on flat surfaces. Each film's manufacturer lists the surfaces it is approved for; for example, 3M's 680 series engineer grade film is not recommended for compound curves and can tent over closely spaced rivets.

Printed reflective vs cut reflective

Reflective graphics can be cut from solid color reflective film or printed onto white reflective film. Both work, and the choice depends on the design.

• Cut reflective. Solid color film cut into letters, numbers, stripes, or simple shapes. This gives the brightest result for a given film, because there is no ink layer between the light and the reflective surface. Best for unit numbers, DOT markings, stripes, and one or two color logos.
• Printed reflective. Full color artwork printed on white reflective film with inks the film manufacturer approves. This allows photos and gradients that reflect at night, but ink reduces the light returned, and dark colors reflect much less than light colors.
• Mixed construction. A standard printed wrap with reflective elements, such as a reflective logo, phone number, or stripe, layered in. This keeps cost down while putting the night visibility where it counts.

For most service fleets, the mixed approach gives the best value. The truck looks like a normal wrap in daylight, and the name, number, and rear of the vehicle light up at night.

Where reflective graphics are used

Reflective graphics belong on the parts of the vehicle other drivers need to see in the dark. The most common uses:

• Rear chevrons. Alternating diagonal stripes, often red and yellow or red and white, on the rear doors or tailgate of utility, service, municipal, and roadside vehicles. Agencies and utilities often have their own specification for colors and pattern, so send it with your request.
• Reflective lettering. Company names, phone numbers, unit numbers, and DOT markings that stay readable when the vehicle is lit by headlights.
• Outline and accent stripes. A reflective stripe along the side or around the rear outlines the size of the vehicle at night.
• Conspicuity tape. Red and white tape on trailers and tractors that meets the federal marking requirements, covered in the next section.

For a service body truck with compartments, see our utility truck graphics page for where reflective accents fit around doors and latches.

The federal trailer conspicuity rule

Under 49 CFR 393.11, trailers that are 80 inches or more in overall width and have a GVWR over 10,000 pounds, manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, must carry a conspicuity system. Pole trailers and trailers designed only for living or office use are excluded. The system can be retroreflective sheeting, reflex reflectors, or a combination, meeting FMVSS No. 108.

In practice, retroreflective sheeting on a covered trailer typically includes:

• Sides: alternating red and white segments running front to rear, covering at least half the trailer's length.
• Lower rear: red and white across the full width, and across the rear underride guard.
• Upper rear corners: pairs of white strips at the upper left and right corners.

Conspicuity tape carries a DOT-C2 or similar certification mark printed in the film. Truck tractors built on or after July 1, 1997 have their own conspicuity requirements. Straight trucks, including box trucks, are not required by the federal rule to carry conspicuity markings, though many fleets add them voluntarily.

When we wrap a trailer, the conspicuity tape stays visible. Wrap film is never left covering required tape; we either trim around existing tape or apply new tape on top of the finished wrap. Our box truck and trailer wraps page covers the rest of a trailer wrap.

Night visibility and why it matters

Reflective markings make large vehicles easier to see at night, and federal research has measured the effect on trailers. A 2001 NHTSA evaluation of retroreflective tape on heavy trailers found it reduced side and rear impacts into trailers in dark conditions by 29 percent, and by 41 percent in dark, unlighted conditions.

That study covered conspicuity tape on heavy trailers, not branded graphics on service trucks, so it does not promise the same result for a reflective logo. The principle is similar, though: a vehicle that shows its outline and identity in headlights is easier to see and recognize. For a service company, there is a marketing side too. A reflective phone number is readable by every driver behind you on Powers Boulevard at 6 a.m. in January.

Cost, laminate, and installation

Reflective graphics cost more than standard printed vinyl. The film itself costs more, it often requires approved inks and laminates, and it takes more care to install. Fleets usually control cost by making only the key elements reflective rather than the whole vehicle.

• Laminate. Printed reflective film needs a clear laminate or clear coat that the film manufacturer approves for that film. The wrong laminate can reduce brightness, fail on rivets or corrugations, or void the film warranty. Cut reflective lettering is often used without laminate.
• Conformability. Reflective films are generally thicker and stiffer than wrap vinyl, so they go on flat or gently curved areas and stay out of deep recesses.
• Temperature. Vinyl applied in the cold does not conform and does not adhere correctly. We install indoors in a heated bay year round.
• Altitude and UV. At 6,035 feet, UV is stronger than at sea level. Ask each provider to identify the film series and laminate included in the estimate, so you can compare the manufacturer's rated life.

A professionally installed wrap generally does not damage sound factory paint and can help protect it from UV exposure and normal road wear. However, repainted panels, failing clear coat, rust, and existing paint damage may be affected during installation or removal. We inspect the vehicle and discuss any concerns before production.

How a reflective graphics project runs

1. Vehicle and spec detailsSend the vehicle details, photos of all sides, and any agency or utility specification for chevrons, colors, or tape.
2. Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate that names the reflective film and laminate. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
3. Layout and film selectionWe lay out the graphics on your vehicle and match each element to a film grade that fits the surface and the job.
4. Print, cut, and laminateReflective elements are cut or printed with approved inks and laminated where required.
5. Indoor installation and walkthroughThe vehicle is washed, dried, and installed in a heated bay, then reviewed with you at handoff.

Are reflective graphics worth it for your fleet?

Reflective graphics pay off where vehicles work in low light. For daytime-only vehicles, standard vinyl usually does the job.