Hi-Vis Fluorescent Fabric & Reflective Tape for Workwear
- Est. 2005 · Sialkot, Pakistan
- MOQ 20–25 pcs per design · no limit for brands
- Free 24h digital mockup
- Sample 5–7 days, credited on bulk
- Bulk 15–25 business days · express 7–12
- DHL/FedEx/UPS 5–10 days
- 🛡️ Free remake within 3 days
What makes a fabric hi-vis
A hi-vis fabric does two separate jobs: a fluorescent background colour makes the wearer stand out in daylight, and retroreflective tape makes them stand out at night. Neither element covers both conditions on its own.
Fluorescent dye absorbs ultraviolet light and re-emits it as visible light, so the fabric appears brighter than its surroundings in daylight, at dawn and at dusk. In full darkness a fluorescent fabric is simply a coloured cloth.
Retroreflective tape is built from glass beads or microprisms that return light to its source. A driver's headlights hit the tape and bounce straight back to the driver, so the bands light up at night. In daylight the tape is a dull silver-grey strip and adds nothing to visibility.
EN ISO 20471 defines both parts: the colour and brightness the fluorescent background must reach (fluorescent yellow, orange-red or red), the reflective performance of the tape, and the minimum area of each on the garment. We run fluorescent yellow and fluorescent orange polyester, and construct vests, polos, jackets and trousers designed to EN ISO 20471 visibility requirements.
Fluorescent polyester: knit and woven options
Fluorescent hi-vis fabric is 100% polyester wherever the fluorescent colour is needed, because polyester takes fluorescent disperse dye to the brightness the standard calls for. Cotton and poly-cotton blends dull the colour, so on two-tone garments the fluorescent panels are polyester and the navy or black contrast panels can be poly-cotton.
The knit or woven construction is chosen per garment. The table below lists the option ranges ZipaSports runs in Sialkot, Pakistan; the buyer picks the exact weight within each range.
| Garment | Fabric construction | Weight range | Why this construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vest / tabard | Polyester mesh or interlock knit | 140–180 GSM | Light and open; worn over other layers all day |
| Polo shirt | Polyester piqué knit, moisture-wicking finish | 160–200 GSM | Holds a collar; breathable for outdoor crews |
| T-shirt | Polyester interlock knit, moisture-wicking finish | 140–180 GSM | Smooth face for heat-transfer logos |
| Jacket / bomber | Woven polyester shell; quilted or fleece lining optional | Specified per order | Wind resistance and warmth on winter sites |
| Trousers / shorts | Twill or ripstop woven; poly-cotton on dark panels | 8–12 oz | Abrasion resistance for kneeling and site work |
Knits go on garments worn next to the body or over a shirt for long shifts; wovens go where the fabric is rubbed, knelt on, or worn in wind and rain.
Reflective tape placement designed to EN ISO 20471
Reflective tape on a hi-vis garment is placed in horizontal bands that encircle the torso, the sleeves and the trouser legs, so the wearer is visible from every angle. Bands are 50 mm wide, and the standard sets a minimum gap between bands and a minimum height above the hem.
The class of a garment is set by how much fluorescent background and how much retroreflective tape it carries, measured on the smallest size in the range. The minimum areas published in EN ISO 20471 are:
| Class | Minimum fluorescent background | Minimum retroreflective tape | Typical garments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² | Trousers, shorts |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² | Vests, tabards, polos, T-shirts |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² | Long-sleeve jackets, coveralls, jacket-and-trouser combinations |
A Class 2 vest carries two torso bands, or one torso band plus braces over the shoulders; a Class 3 jacket carries two torso bands plus bands around each sleeve. Small sizes are the constraint, because the background area shrinks with the garment while the minimum stays fixed.
The factory designs and sews to these requirements; it does not issue certification. Certification is carried out on finished garments by an accredited test house, and buyers who need it arrange that test on the production sample with the tape and fabric details we supply.
Hi-vis garments we manufacture
ZipaSports manufactures four hi-vis garment groups for corporate and site buyers: vests, polos and T-shirts, jackets, and trousers or shorts. Each is built on the fluorescent fabric and tape layout described above, and each is made to order in the buyer's colourway with their own labels.
- Vests and tabards: zip or hook-and-loop front, two-band-and-brace layout, optional ID pocket and phone pocket. See hi-vis safety wear.
- Polos and T-shirts: short or long sleeve, fluorescent body with navy contrast on shoulders or side panels, wicking piqué or interlock. See work polos and tees.
- Jackets: bomber and parka lengths, woven polyester shell, lined for winter, detachable hood option. See work jackets.
- Trousers and shorts: two-tone fluorescent and navy, cargo pockets, knee-pad pockets, leg bands. See work trousers and shorts.
Adult sizes run XS–5XL, with women's cuts available. Minimum order is 20–25 pieces per design, lower on request for small crews, and there is no MOQ limit for established brands and companies. Woven neck labels, printed size tags and company-branded packing are produced in-house.
Company logo decoration on hi-vis workwear
Company logos on hi-vis garments are applied by heat transfer or embroidery, on top of the fluorescent fabric and clear of the reflective tape. The fabric arrives fluorescent from the mill and the logo is added afterwards, so the decoration method only has to suit the logo, not the background colour.
Heat transfer vinyl and DTF transfer are the usual choice for vests and polos: a single-colour or full-colour logo pressed onto the left chest, and a company name across the back. Embroidery suits polos and jackets that will be washed hard and worn daily. Screen printing is used for large runs of a single-colour back print.
Two placement rules keep the garment within its class. First, no decoration on the tape: needles perforate it and prints cover it. Second, keep the logo area modest, because every square centimetre of logo is fluorescent background lost, and small sizes have the least to spare. Back prints sit in the gap between the two torso bands or above the top band; employee names go on the chest or below the back print. The studio positions every logo on the mockup so the buyer sees it against the band layout before approval.
Care, washing and fade expectations
Hi-vis garments lose visibility in two ways: the fluorescent colour fades, and the reflective tape wears. Both are slowed by correct washing and neither is stopped entirely.
Fluorescent dyes are less light-fast than ordinary dyes. Sunlight and UV exposure gradually dull fluorescent yellow towards a flat lemon and fluorescent orange towards a plain orange, and the change is quicker on garments worn outdoors every day. Wash inside out on a cool cycle, without bleach and without fabric softener, and dry away from direct sun; softener also coats the wicking finish on polos and tees.
Reflective tape is rated by its maker for a number of wash cycles, and that figure, not the fabric, usually sets the service life of the garment. Tumble drying on high heat and ironing over the tape crack it early. The tape maker publishes that wash rating; ask for it with the production sample so it can be stated on the care label alongside the washing temperature.
A garment is finished when the fluorescent colour no longer stands out against the work environment, or when the tape no longer lights up under a torch beam at night. Site managers should inspect and replace on that basis rather than by calendar.
Ordering hi-vis workwear from Sialkot
A hi-vis order starts with a free digital mockup within 24 hours showing the fluorescent colour, tape layout and logo positions. A physical sample follows in 5–7 days, charged at sample cost and credited against the bulk order. Bulk production runs 15–25 business days after design approval, with express production in 7–12 days at additional cost. Air freight by DHL, FedEx or UPS takes 5–10 days worldwide; sea freight takes 3–6 weeks for bulk.
In-line and final QC on hi-vis checks the items that matter for visibility: tape width, band spacing and height above the hem against the approved specification, tape stitching along both edges, seam integrity, and measurements against the size chart. Pre-shipment photos are available on request.
Quality Guarantee: if any garment arrives with a manufacturing defect, we remake it free of charge — the remake goes into production within 3 days of your report. Full terms are on the quality guarantee page. Contact ZipaSports on WhatsApp for a quotation on hi-vis vests, polos, jackets and trousers made in Sialkot, Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ZipaSports hi-vis workwear meet EN ISO 20471?
ZipaSports hi-vis garments are designed to EN ISO 20471 visibility requirements: fluorescent polyester background, 50 mm retroreflective bands and the class minimum areas. Certification itself is issued by an accredited test house on the finished garment, so buyers who need a certificate arrange that test on the production sample with the fabric and tape details we supply.
What fabric is hi-vis clothing made from?
Hi-vis clothing is made from 100% polyester dyed fluorescent yellow or orange, with retroreflective tape sewn on in bands. Vests use polyester mesh or interlock at 140–180 GSM, polos use polyester piqué at 160–200 GSM, jackets use a woven polyester shell and trousers use twill or ripstop wovens.
Should I choose fluorescent yellow or fluorescent orange?
Fluorescent yellow is the general choice for roads, construction and warehousing because it contrasts with most backgrounds. Fluorescent orange is the standard colour on UK railway sites and is chosen where yellow would blend into machinery or signage. Both colours are available on every hi-vis garment we make.
Does hi-vis fabric fade?
Yes, hi-vis fabric fades: fluorescent dyes fade faster than ordinary dyes under sunlight, so a hi-vis garment worn outdoors every day dulls over time. Cool washing, no bleach, no softener and drying out of direct sun slow the fade. Replace the garment when the colour no longer stands out on site.
Can I put my company logo on hi-vis vests?
Yes, a company logo can go on a hi-vis vest. Logos are applied by heat transfer, DTF or embroidery on the left chest, with a company name across the back between the reflective bands. Logos are kept off the tape and kept small enough that the fluorescent background area stays above the class minimum.
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
Class 3 garments carry more fluorescent background and more reflective tape than Class 2: at least 0.80 m² and 0.20 m² against 0.50 m² and 0.13 m² on the smallest size. In practice Class 2 is a vest, tabard or polo; Class 3 is a sleeved jacket, coveralls, or a jacket worn with hi-vis trousers.
What is the minimum order for hi-vis workwear?
Minimum order is 20–25 pieces per design, lower on request for small crews or a sample run, and there is no MOQ limit for established brands and companies. Adult sizes run XS–5XL and a free digital mockup is provided within 24 hours before any commitment.
How many reflective bands does a Class 2 vest need?
A Class 2 vest typically carries either two horizontal bands around the torso, or one torso band plus braces running over each shoulder. Each band is 50 mm wide. The layout must reach at least 0.13 m² of retroreflective tape and 0.50 m² of fluorescent background on the smallest size.
How should hi-vis workwear be washed?
Wash hi-vis workwear inside out on a cool cycle, without bleach or fabric softener, and dry on low heat or on the line out of direct sun. Do not iron over the reflective tape. The tape maker rates the tape for a maximum wash count; beyond it the tape's reflectivity is no longer assured.
How long does a hi-vis order take from Pakistan?
A digital mockup is ready within 24 hours, a physical sample in 5–7 days, and bulk production takes 15–25 business days after approval. Express production is 7–12 days at additional cost. Air freight to the UK, Europe, USA or Australia adds 5–10 days; sea freight adds 3–6 weeks.