Abstract: A retroreflective laminate sheeting has a viewing surface having a retroreflective layer which has a first cap-Y value of a viewing surface side thereof. A plurality of discrete pigmented indicia are disposed on the viewing surface side of the retroreflective layer. The pigmented indicia define a second cap-Y value of the viewing surface of the sheeting, the second cap-Y value being less than the first cap-Y value. One method of making a retroreflective sheeting includes forming a retroreflective layer on a web, the web moving in a web direction. The method includes applying a pigmented material proximate the retroreflective layer, the pigmented material preferably forming a plurality of parallel stripes oriented substantially in at least one of the web direction and a direction orthogonal to the web direction.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a transparent film, a pigmented layer having pigmented indicia thereon, and a retroreflective cube layer. The cube layer includes a number of cube corner elements bounded by at least two sets of intersecting grooves. A metallic film is disposed on at least some of the cube corner elements. The pigmented layer is interposed between the transparent film and the cube layer, and has pigmented indicia aligned with at least one of the sets of intersecting grooves.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting having incorporated therein an optically-nonfunctional backing film. The backing film comprises at least a self-adherent layer which is adhered directly to the rear side of the specularly reflecting layer of the sheeting and, may further comprise one or more layers, such as a reinforcing layer, on the rear side of the self-adherent layer. The physical properties of the backing film, e.g., tensile strength, tear resistance, elongation, or adhesive compatibility are selected according to the properties desired of the resultant retroreflective sheeting. The self-adherent layer may comprise: polyethylene; or one or more copolymers comprising by weight a major portion of at least one of ethylene or propylene, and a minor portion of a polar comonomer; or a blend comprising (a) one or more other polymers and (b) one or more of such copolymers or polyethylene or combinations of such copolymers and polyethylene, the blend comprising a major portion by weight of ethylene and/or propylene.

Abstract: A method for producing an embossed information plate, e.g., a license plate, wherein desired indicia are embossed in the front surface in relief form and retroreflective sheeting is adhered to the background portions of the front surface. A reflective sheeting having a low-tack, heat-activated adhesive on its backside is tacked to a plate blank. When the plate blank is embossed with desired indicia, the sheeting is simultaneously cut out according to the indicia. After the cut-out portions of the sheeting are removed, the embossed plate and trimmed sheeting which is tacked thereto are passed between a series of pairs of co-acting, resilient lamination rollers wherein the roller of each pair which contacts the sheeting is heated. The rollers conform to the contour of the indicia and heat the sheeting and adhesive, thereby causing the adhesive to effectively wet the surface of the plate and activating it as the sheeting is simultaneously laminated to the plate.