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Reflective stickers: be seen after dark
Dark mornings, wet roads and a bike ride home after sunset. This time of year, being seen matters.
Reflective stickers are an easy way to add visibility to your bike, helmet or work gear. And since they're printed with your own design, they don't have to look like a safety vest.
TL;DR:
What are reflective stickers?
Stickers printed on a reflective film that bounces direct light back towards its source, like car headlights or a torch. In daylight they look like regular stickers with a bright finish. In the dark, they light up when light hits them.
Do they glow on their own?
No. They need a light source to shine back at. If you want a sticker that glows by itself after charging, go for glow in the dark.
Where can I use them?
Bikes, scooters, helmets, hard hats, skateboards, motorcycles and work gear. Pretty much anything that moves around after dark.
Do they handle rain and cold?
Yes. They're laminated, waterproof and UV-resistant, handle -40°C to +80°C and last up to 7 years outdoors.
How reflective stickers work
Reflective stickers are printed on a reflective film that sends direct light straight back to where it came from. Headlights, bike lights, a torch. When the light hits, your sticker lights up.
The whole sticker reflects, so you can't switch the effect off in parts of your design. What you can do is play with colour. White and light colours shine the brightest, while dark colours don't reflect at all.
And they're tough. The durable film handles rain, snow and sun, so your sticker keeps shining season after season.
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Where reflective stickers make sense
Reflective stickers are made for things that move around when it's dark out. Here are three places where they really earn their spot.
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Bikes and scooters
Commuting in the dark? Put reflective stickers on the frame, mudguards or cargo box, and your bike lights up every time headlights sweep over it. Scooters work the same way.
Start with the back of the bike, since that's what cars behind you see. And remember: stickers are a bonus on top of bike lights and reflectors, not a replacement.
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Helmets
Your helmet sits higher than anything else you wear, which makes it a smart spot for a reflective sticker. Bike, skate or motorcycle helmet, it works on all of them.
Put one on the back and one on each side to be visible from more than one direction. We cut to any shape, so go for a stripe, your initials or a full illustration.
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At work
Got a team working early mornings or late shifts? Put your logo in reflective on hard hats, toolboxes, equipment and company vehicles. Your gear is easier to spot in low light, and your brand stays visible after dark.
Reflective stickers are tough enough to handle the outdoors for up to 7 years, while keeping your design looking good along the way.
Reflective or glow in the dark?
Both shine in the dark, but they work in completely different ways.
Here's what's good to know:
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Reflective needs a light source. It bounces direct light, like headlights or a torch, back to where it came from. No light, no shine. That makes it the pick for traffic and anything that should be seen by people driving or riding.
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Glow in the dark charges in sunlight or strong indoor light and then glows on its own, for up to 15 hours after a full charge. It suits safety signs, room decor and art that should be visible when the lights go out.
Curious about glow? Here's how to get the most out of your glow in the dark stickers.
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Design tips for the dark
A reflective sticker has two looks: one in daylight and one in the headlights. Design for both.
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Go light: Light colours and transparent areas give the strongest reflective effect.
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Play with contrast: Mix reflective and printed areas, so certain details pop when light hits them.
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Keep shapes clear: A bold, simple shape is easier to recognise from a distance.
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Upload a vector file: PDF, AI or EPS gives the sharpest edges. A high-resolution PNG or JPG at 300 PPI works too.
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Start clean: Apply your sticker on a clean, dry and smooth surface.
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Some reflective inspo
Need a few ideas? Here are three reflective stickers that show how much you can do with the material.
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Butterfly effect
In daylight you see every pattern, and in headlights the light areas flash back. A good example of mixing printed and reflective areas.
Sticker designed by @florian_gallou
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Coffee with bite
Proof that reflective doesn't have to mean serious. Safety gear can have a sense of humour too.
Sticker designed by @lumps
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Loud and clear
Bold outlines and lots of white let the reflective effect take over when light hits it. Loud in daylight, even louder in headlights.
Sticker designed in-house
Light up the dark season
Reflective stickers are a small upgrade for dark evenings. They keep your bike, helmet or gear visible, and they look good doing it.
Full-colour print, glossy laminate and no colour limits, so you pay the same price no matter how colourful your design is. Design it, stick it on and enjoy being seen.
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