Two technologies dominate retroreflective materials for EN 17353 products: glass bead materials, mostly fabric-backed tapes for garments, and microprismatic materials, mostly PVC or PU films for reflectors, slap wraps and welded designs. Both can meet the standard. They behave differently in angles, washing, cold and orientation, and those differences decide which one belongs on your product.
Quick comparison
| Property | Glass bead | Microprismatic |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Tiny glass spheres with a mirror layer behind them | Moulded micro-prisms (cube corners) in a polymer film |
| Typical forms | Sewn tapes, heat-transfer films, reflective fabric | PVC/PU films, injection-moulded reflectors |
| Brightness at 12′/5° | Typically several hundred cd/(lx·m²) | Often much higher |
| Orientation sensitivity | Low | Can be high; must be checked |
| Feel | Soft, flexible, breathable options | Stiffer; ideal for welding and moulding |
| Typical EN 17353 use | Vests, jackets, AB/B3 garments, B2 garments | B1 reflectors, B2 slap wraps, welded bands |
1. Glass bead materials
Glass bead tapes are the standard choice for clothing. They drape with the garment, can be sewn or heat-applied, and perform consistently from different directions. Industrial-wash grades can survive dozens of wash cycles. Their weakness is the surface: beads can be abraded, and heat-transfer versions are sensitive to washing temperature and ironing.
For EN 17353, the material must reach at least 330 cd/(lx·m²) at 12′ observation and 5° entrance angle, meet the full angle table when new, and stay above 100 cd/(lx·m²) after abrasion, cold folding, temperature variation, rainfall and the claimed number of washes.
2. Microprismatic materials
Prismatic films return light very efficiently, which is why most hanging reflectors use them. They can be high-frequency welded into shapes, which suits B1 reflectors and B2 slap wraps. Rigid injection-moulded prisms are used for hard reflectors.
Three things need attention:
- Orientation. Prismatic films often reflect differently when rotated. EN 17353 classes a material as orientation-sensitive if values at 0° and 90° differ by more than 15%. Such material must meet the requirement at one orientation and at least 75% of it at the other, so cutting direction matters in production.
- Cold. PVC films can stiffen and crack. Flexible B1 reflectors are folded at −20 °C and rigid ones are drop-tested at −30 °C.
- Sealing. Prisms need an air layer behind them. If water enters through a poor weld, brightness collapses, which is why rigid reflectors undergo water immersion testing.
3. Printing and colours
Both technologies can be printed or coloured, but every print reduces performance. For B1 reflectors, printed areas count as non-reflective in the active area calculation. For tapes, testing uses the lowest-performing segment. Silver and white give the highest values; coloured versions must still meet the same photometric tables.
4. Which one should you choose?
- Garments (A, B3, AB2, AB3): glass bead fabric tape, or segmented and perforated versions for breathability. Choose a wash grade that matches the care label.
- Hanging reflectors (B1): soft prismatic PVC/PU film or rigid injection-moulded prisms.
- Slap wraps and arm bands (B2): prismatic or glass bead film over a spring band, checked for cold cracking.
- Fluorescent reflective strips (AB): combined-performance material, tested against the combined-performance table and colour requirements.
5. What to ask your supplier
- Full photometric table at both rotation angles.
- Whether the material is orientation-sensitive, and how the datum is marked.
- Results after abrasion, cold folding, temperature variation and rainfall.
- Results after washing at the cycles and method on your care label.
- For prismatic films: low-temperature flexibility and weld recommendations.
FAQ
Is microprismatic always better?
Brighter is not automatically better on clothing. Glass bead tapes are often more comfortable, more consistent at angles and more wash-durable for garments.
Can I mix technologies on one product?
Yes, as long as each material is tested and the design meets the area and placement rules.
Conclusion
For EN 17353, choose glass bead where the product moves, bends and gets washed, and microprismatic where you need maximum brightness in a welded or moulded shape. Whichever you pick, buy on test data, not on the headline brightness number.
This article provides general technical information. Material performance varies by product grade; rely on test reports for the specific material you use.