This glossarys explains technical terms for reflective trims and solutions from J-LONG, helping you make informed decisions about high-visibility workwear, uniforms, and PPE.

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Abrasion Resistance: The ability of the trim to withstand wear from friction or rubbing.

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ANSI/ISEA: A U.S. standard classifying high-visibility apparel by "Types" (e.g., roadway, off-road) and "Classes" (1-3) based on material coverage and work environment risks. It's primarily for worker safety in environments with vehicular traffic in the United States.

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Application Method: The process used to attach the trim to garments (e.g., sewing, heat transfer, adhesive etc).

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Coefficient of Retroreflection (RA): A numerical value indicating how efficiently a material reflects light back to its source, measured in candelas per lux per square meter (cd/lx/m²).

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Diffuse Reflection: Very little light returns to the source; instead, it scatters across the surface. Think of how light reflects off clothing.

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Dye to Match Colors: To achieve high reflectivity, we apply a thin layer of ink on top of the silver reflective glass beads for color consistency. This fine layer of color also allows the light source to shine and reflect effectively.

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However, with a silver background, achieving exact color matching is challenging since we are not printing on a white surface. The silver itself may also have small color variances between production lots. Therefore, we do not recommend using bright or neon colors on silver backgrounds. This is why Alphalux KC is available as an alternative for these types of colors.

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EN ISO: An international standard classifying high-visibility apparel directly into "Classes" (1-3) based on material coverage and risk level, emphasizing 360-degree visibility and often considering garment ensembles. It's widely adopted in Europe and globally for general high-visibility requirements.

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Flame-Resistant (FR): Describes trims made to withstand ignition and resist burning, suitable for hazardous environments.

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Fluorescent Colours: Easier to see when this colour gives out an ultraviolet light which is at a longer wave length.

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Glass Bead Technology: Uses microscopic glass beads embedded in the trim to reflect light; common in many reflective materials.

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Heat Transfer Trim: Reflective trim applied to garments using heat and pressure, rather than sewing.

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High Retroreflectivity: Workwear is regulated by many countries and must meet their respective standards. For example, it needs at least 330 Ra to meet EN ISO 20471.

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Industrial Wash Cycles: The number of commercial laundering cycles a trim can endure while maintaining performance.

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Low Retroreflectivity: Consider using low retroreflectivity for your brand logo to highlight it. Some global brands only require 50 Ra for this purpose.

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Medium Retroreflectivity: Medium retroreflectivity trims, tapes, and piping are suggested for athletic wear to increase visibility in low-light environments.

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Microprismatic Technology: Utilizes tiny prisms to reflect light more efficiently and at wider angles than glass beads.

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Mirror Reflection: Light is reflected at the same angle it strikes the surface; it is not returned to the source.

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Reflective Trim: A strip or band of material designed to reflect light, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions.

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Retroreflection: A large amount of reflected light is returned directly to the original light source

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Segmented Trim: Reflective material cut into segments for increased flexibility and breathability.

‍Sew-On Trim: Reflective trim designed to be attached to fabrics by stitching.

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J-Long is the global leader in reflective solutions, workwear trims and garment accessories. We serve a wide range of industries worldwide, including workwear and uniforms. 

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Discover more here: https://www.j-long.com/workwear-trims. 

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To find out about who we work with, click here: https://www.j-long.com/industries/workwear-uniforms

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