Being conspicuous is not much of a compliment when you’re a human. Well, unless being conspicuous is your goal as a social media influencer, or you’re a struggling stand-up comic.Â
Fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, big rigs, road warning signs - what do these things have in common? They need to be conspicuous - highly visible - especially at night. That helps us be alerted to danger (changes in speed, sharp curves) or to know when to pull over for emergency vehicles (because we ignored the change in speed sign).
It’s not just Department of Transportation signs or commercial parking lot directions that need reflective material. It’s also useful for items such as nighttime advertising, trailers and signs on big rigs, fleet vehicles, and other business signage.
We Need Illumination
In this fantastic article  A Basic Guide to Reflective Vinyl, we discussed the science behind reflective sheeting. If you can get a chance to look it over, you you will have a Reflective Vinyl PhD by the time you finish the article!
Reflective vinyl has a place in our daily, and especially nightly, routines. Though using it may not yet be a part of your catalog of services, it's worth reflecting on (terrible pun intended!) how you might consider expanding into this service.
What is an ideal weather- and solvent resistant reflective sheeting meant for rough outdoor use on a wide variety of vehicles and commercial equipment? And what is composed of microprism retroreflective material bonded to a tough UV stabilized polymeric film which has the ability to remain reflective even if the sheeting has been hit? It's ORAFOL ORALITE reflective vinyl.Â
What is an appropriate vinyl to use for making reflective signs and vehicle striping?
Reflective Vinyl Conspicuity Tape and Vinyl
ORAFOL ORALITE Conspicuity Sheeting or Tape is a reflective vinyl that will make any sign, vehicle, or your forehead (don’t do that last one) highly visible, conspicuous, hard to miss.Â
One of the choices is ORAFOL ORALITE® V92 Daybright DOT-C2 Conspicuity Sheeting
ORALITE® is a certified conspicuity sheeting is a weather- and solvent-resistant reflective sheeting meant for rough outdoor use on a wide variety of vehicles and commercial equipment. It is composed of microprism retroreflective material bonded to a tough UV stabilized polymeric film it has the ability to remain reflective even if the sheeting has been hit. With Daybright® technology, white lines in pattern are embedded in the sheeting to maximize daytime visibility.
Features:
- V92 Daybright® sheeting includes white lines in pattern to enhance daytime visibility
- Maintains reflectivity after impact
- Thin and flexible
- No edge sealing required, able to withstand high pressure washing and resists edge lift.
- Weather resistant and exceeds requirements by 200%
- V92 Sheeting is durable with a 5 year warranty
Another choice is ORAFOL ORALITE® V98 Conformable Graphic Sheeting
This is a tough weather- and solvent-resistant, microprismatic, retroreflective product designed for vehicles that require increased visibility such as fire, EMS, police, utility, telecom, and DOT.
The material is plotter cuttable and easy to apply to smooth painted or unpainted vehicle surfaces. The single layer product does not require edge sealing, and is designed to be applicator friendly due to the potential to template fewer pieces than other prismatic graphic films. ORALITE® V98 meets/exceeds the requirements of NFPA 1901.
Features:
- High-tack Adhesive
- Superior Conformability
- Prismatic retroreflective performance
- Mono-layered construction means no edge sealing required
- ASTM D4956 / NFPA 1901 Compliant
- 5 Year Durability
Reflective Vinyl Sales Opportunities Are Everywhere
You may have read this article and decided you don't need to even consider offering services using reflective sheeting. Okay, but have you ever heard of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon? Though you may not have heard of it, you've surely experienced this interesting phenomenon, or you will soon.Â
Blue Car Syndrome, technically the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, is about frequency bias. It basically describes when you notice a new thing over and over as you go through your daily routine. But it is actually not new. It's just new to you. A car color or style (hence "Blue Car Syndrome"). A breed of cat or dog. An unusual word. A home style. Suddenly, you’re aware of that thing all over the place. You may feel like your eyes are stuttering. There hasn't been any increase in occurrences or new item invented. It's just that you are now noticing it.
Why do we mention Baader-Meinhof? Because now you may find yourself noticing the varied uses of reflective vinyl sheeting and realize how adding this service to your customers will be an easy way to create more sales. When you do, consider the ORAFOL reflective vinyl as the primo choice in making important things conspicuous.Â