When do I use reflective vs non-reflective signage?

It’s a common question we get asked, when do I need to use reflective signage or what is the advantage of using reflective.

The Basics

• General rule of thumb is to use non-reflective unless your situation requires it or there is a low light condition where a direct light will be used to illuminate it.

• Reflective or more correctly retroreflective signs are used when lighting conditions are poor and a direct light source is being used to assist with illumination. This is important as for the reflective finish to work the effect will not be observed if the illuminating light is more than 2 degrees off the observer’s line of sight.

• Reflective signs are more expensive to purchase than traditional vinyl signs due to the reflective properties of the materials used.

When to use:

• Reflective or more correctly retroreflective signs are used when lighting conditions are poor and a direct light source is being used to assist with illumination. This is important as for the reflective finish to work the effect will not be observed if the illuminating light is more than 2 degrees off the observer’s line of sight.

• These reflective materials are commonly used for markers and signs near road verges and for wayfinding signs for the roads to indicate speed, direction and many other indications.

When not to use:

• It is important to be familiar with the local transport authority guidelines as there are strict regulations on what reflective signs can be within the vicinity of the roadway, many of these guidelines prohibit within 10m of the verge which means that most signage is produced non-reflective.

Types of Reflective:

• There are two types of reflectorised signs, either fully reflective or partially reflective. Fully reflectorised is when both the background and the legend or message of the sign is reflective. Partially reflective is when only the background is reflective.

• If we step back to the NZS/AS1319:1994 standard for signage in occupational areas this clearly states in section 3.5.2 that retroreflective signs will only be of practical use when the sign is viewed under conditions of poor illumination where the light source is almost directly behind the observer. There is also contrast ratios to take into account when producing these signs.