Stretch Reflective Fabric：Types, Uses and Characteristics

"Stretch reflective fabric combines elasticity with high visibility, making it crucial for both safety and fashion. This innovative material is used in various industries, including safety gear and modern clothing. Let's explore its many uses and answer some common questions about it."

What is stretch reflective fabric?

Stretch reflective fabrics, also known as reflective spandex fabrics or elastic reflective textiles, combine the flexibility of spandex with the safety characteristics of reflective materials. It uses glass bead technology to reflect light back to the light source, allowing the wearer to be seen in low light conditions. With its stretchability and high visibility, it is ideal for use in clothing and accessories.

How many different types of reflective spandex fabric are there?

Chinastars offers a comprehensive range of spandex reflective fabric products to suit various needs:

• 

  Single-Sided Silver Stretch Reflective Fabric

  • Color: Gray at daytime, having a reflective white glow at night-time
  • Backing fabric: poly&spandex
  • Width: up to 1.4 meter, can be cut into strips
  • Reflectivity: 420 cd/lux/m²
  • Certification: OEKO-TEX 100; EN 20471; ANSI 107
  • Usage: Ideal for applications requiring visibility on one side of the fabric.
• 

  Double-Sided Stretch Reflective Fabric

  • Color: silver under daylight, bright white under light
  • Backing material: poly&spandex
  • Width: up to 1.4 meter, can be cut into strips
  • Reflectivity: 420 cd/lux/m²
  • Certification: OEKO-TEX 100; EN 20471; ANSI 107
  • Feature: Provides visibility from both sides, great for garments that require 360-degree reflectivity.
• 

  Industrial Washing Reflective Spandex Tape

  • Color: Silver
  • Backing fabric: poly&spandex
  • Width: up to 1.4 meter, can be cut into strips
  • Reflectivity: 420 cd/lux/m²
  • Wash Cycles: 50 cycles
  • Certification: OEKO-TEX 100; EN 20471; ANSI 107
  • Application: Designed for durability and frequent washing, suitable for workwear and uniforms.
• 

  Super Thin Stretch Reflective Fabric

  • Color: silver at daytime, flashes with a white glow when affected by light.
  • Backing material: poly&spandex
  • Width: up to 1.4 meter
  • Reflectivity: 250 cd/lux/m²
  • Feature: Soft and lightweight, suitable for all kinds of sportswear and bags.
• 

  Colored Stretch Reflective Fabric

  • Color: customized
  • Backing material: poly&spandex
  • Width: up to 1.4 meter
  • Feature: the color can be customized according to user needs to meet the application of different scenarios.
• 

  Rainbow Spandex Reflective Fabric

  • Daytime Color: black
  • Reflective color: at night when it is in the light, it will have a rainbow reflective effect
  • Backing material: poly&spandex
  • Width: up to 1.4 meter
  • Feature: adding color to reflective clothing design, very suitable for fashion-forward style.

Are there different colors of reflective elastic fabric?

The reflective elastic fabric is available in different colors, allowing designers to incorporate safety features without compromising aesthetics. The traditional reflective material is usually silver or gray, but the color of the elastic reflective cloth can be customized, such as black, red, blue, etc. This diversity allows designers to create striking, functional clothing based on different preferences and styles.

Stretchable reflective fabric vs Traditional reflective fabric

Stretchable reflective fabrics offer unparalleled comfort and versatility compared to traditional reflective materials. Its inherent elasticity allows for greater freedom of movement without compromising visibility, making it a good choice for sportswear and outdoor gear.

Advantages of using elastic reflective fabric in clothing

The incorporation of elastic reflective fabric into clothing brings forth several advantages.

• 1. High visibility: The reflective properties of the fabric improve visibility in low-light conditions, increasing safety for the wearer;
• 2. Good elasticity: the 4-way elastic base cloth has good stretchability, which makes it very suitable for use in clothing and decorations that require a certain amount of elasticity;
• 3. It has good wear resistance, tensile recovery, and shape-keeping function, so the service life is relatively long.

Applications of stretchy reflective material in clothing

Stretchy reflective materials are widely used in clothing. It is commonly used in yoga wear, cycling wear, outdoor wear, etc., and seamlessly combines safety and fashion. You can also add reflective materials to everyday clothing, such as hats, bags, and shoes.

Tips for sewing with reflective elastic fabric

Use a sharp needle and a longer stitch length to avoid puckering and preserve stretchability when using reflective elastic fabric. Consider using a walking foot or a Teflon-coated presser foot to ensure smooth feeding and prevent snagging. Prioritize testing stitches on scrap fabric to fine-tune settings before commencing your project.

Reflective stretch material care tips

To maintain the reflective properties and elasticity of stretch reflective fabric, it's essential to follow proper care instructions: Machine wash warm at 40 °C (105 °F), No presoak, No bleach, No dry-clean, Tumble dry low, Cool iron 110 °C (230 °F). Avoid bleach and fabric softeners, which can degrade the reflective coating.

Whether you are a designer who wants to incorporate reflective materials into your design, or an individual who wants to improve visibility at night, Chinastars reflective fabrics offer the perfect solution.