When it comes to reflective heat transfer vinyl (HTV), you’d think the options would be pretty straightforward, but in fact, there are many different variants. To confuse matters more, we have recently expanded our range to provide an even wider choice in terms of quality as well as budget.

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Reflective HTV: what is it and how does it work?

All reflective HTV is made up of metallised microscopic glass beads which reflect light directly back towards its source, therefore making the material appear bright and highly visible in darkened conditions. This retroreflective glass bead surface is overlaminated with a transparent PET film to aid cad-cutting. It’s also coated with a dry heat-activated adhesive backing for heat pressing onto a wide range of fabrics.

What can reflective HTV be used on?

Reflective HTV is suitable for transferring onto textiles such as cotton, uncoated nylon, mixtures of polyester/cotton and polyester/acrylic. Depending on which film is selected, the cad-cut lettering, logos and safety markings can be heat pressed onto workwear, safety clothing, sportswear, leisurewear and promotional items.

Our range:

● First up is the ever-popular Silva-Lite material, which is a high-quality UK-produced material designed for the cad-cutting of garment lettering and logos. The minimum retroreflective value conforms to EN ISO 20471:2013 making it perfect for a wide variety of uses.

● Our Reflex Black reflective HTV offers something completely different. The black surface of the film looks standard in the daytime but when hit by direct light in darkened conditions the reflective colour turns bright silver white. Ideal for adding inconspicuous branding to any item.

● Also in our range is the Poli-Flex 4783 silver reflective HTV that has a ‘turbo’ adhesive. The main benefit of using this material is that it can be applied at a lower temperature and for a shorter time, giving time and cost savings. It’s also suitable for a wider range of materials and items. Conforms to EN ISO 20471:2013

● Finally, and at the top end of the reflective HTV range is the Poli-Flex 4781 which uses 3M® Scotchlite film. This film offers the highest level of visibility as well as guaranteeing a secure and long-lasting bond to the textile. Ideal for hi-vis safety wear and a must for anyone working on our roads. Conforms to EN ISO 20471:2013

Finally.....

Don’t be mistaken in thinking these films are only necessary after the clocks have changed. They also provide safety in low-light conditions, such as rain and snow. As well as the safety aspect of these films, they can also add something unusual to leisurewear and clothing such as dancewear too, great for subtle branding.

How can we help you?

If you have a project that you are working on and need a little help selecting the right materials, just contact us or drop us an email. We're always happy to help.

And before you go:

We hope that you found this blog relevant and informative and that you'd be interested in reading some of our other blogs