Labels are an efficient way to call attention to important information in a host of different settings. But what about poorly lit areas? It’s hard to read information that cannot be seen. Do those areas just become no-label zones? Certainly not!
Some labels are necessary even in less than optimal conditions. Low light settings, dark environments, and poor weather conditions can pose a challenge. But at Label Works, we say, “Challenge accepted.” We’d like to introduce you to our Retro-reflective stock! This stock works wonders in dark and poorly lit spaces. Retro-reflective stock renders high visibility even in low light, and also remains visible through poor weather conditions. We like to think that labels have a place anywhere and everywhere – you just need the right tools to get the job done!
Retro-reflective stock is slightly different than true reflective stock. Ready for a bit of a physics lesson? Here we go! Reflective stock reflects light in the same manner a mirror does. Light hits the mirror (or reflective stock) and bounces away at the same angle of entry but in the opposite direction. Imagine bouncing a ball away from you on the floor. The ball will hit the floor but bounce away instead of coming back toward you. The same is true of light hitting a reflective stock. Retro-reflective stock, on the other hand, works with innovative technology to optimize the use of what little light is available. The surface of the retro-reflective stock is covered in very small glass spheres. The rounded shape of each glass sphere creates the retro-reflectivity. Light hitting the surface of the stock is reflected directly back toward the source of the light. Imagine shining a flashlight on an item in a dark room labeled with retro-reflective stock. The light won’t reflect and bounce away. It will be reflected directly back at you, resulting in high visibility of the label. Voila! Label visibility even in the darkest of places!
Now that we’ve touched on the science of the retro-reflective stock, let’s shine some light on the practical applications for this stock!
- Safety decals
- Warning and security stickers
- Hard hat stickers
- Parking permits
- Emergency service vehicles, equipment, and tools for Police, Fire Department, and EMTs and Paramedics
- Outdoor enthusiast organizations and associations, including motorcycling, bicycling, snowmobiling, boating, sailing, skiing, hunting, and fishing
- Warehouse rack labels where messages need to be easily seen when hit with a beam of light
- Security and Warning applications
- HVAC, Well and Pump
- Shelving labels, pallet labels, and asset labels
Retro-reflective stock is a hard-working label which comes with permanent adhesive and lamination for extra protection from the elements. Because of the nature of many reflective labels, this stock has to be tough, and ready to take on less than perfect weather conditions. A few things to note about this stock:
- Retro-reflective stock appears slightly grey in color rather than a true white due to the glass bead technology used to produce the reflectivity.
- It is thermal-transfer compatible (recommended to test ribbons).
- Retro-reflective stock bounces the light back to the source, therefore making it a great option for scanning. This stock is especially productive for long-range scanning.
Curious to learn more about our new Retro-reflective stock and the host of possible applications for this innovative technology? Call Label Works at 800.522.3558 to speak with one of our Customer Support team members and we’d be happy to send you more information!
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