‘Fluorescent’ refers to a pigment that absorbs and reflects more light than conventional colors, resulting in brighter and more powerful shades. The color spectrum moves from invisible, low-energy infrared rays to high-energy ultraviolet rays. The ‘visible light spectrum’, or the colors that we see, are actually in the middle of the range. Normal color absorbs and re-emits a portion of the visible spectrum that matches its principal wavelength, while the remaining colors are absorbed and dissipated as heat. Fluorescent colors use a larger amount of both the visible spectrum and the lower wavelengths compared to conventional colors. They not only absorb and convert light energy of the dominant wavelength, but also the wavelengths of ultraviolet rays and other colors lower in the visible spectrum. As a result, your eye perceives a far more intense color.

Phosphorescent pigments are commonly referred to as glow-in-the-dark pigments. They have the ability to absorb energy and store it. Once the light source is removed, they begin to give up that stored energy in the form of light. The most common glow is the yellow-green shade that we all know.

Fluorescent color converts light to a dominant wavelength or color. Without a light source, there is no color. Phosphorescent colorants store energy and re-emit it when the light source is removed. They are, therefore, visible in the dark for some period of time.

We do not offer fluorescent white or black products. Black products would not fluoresce. We do offer invisible pigments that will fluoresce a blue-white color, but they need to be incorporated into inks and coatings by the company that purchases the material.

Most of our materials respond to black light (UV light). However, it is usually not a quality control specification. In general, fluorescent materials respond to black light.

Yes. A limited number of DayGlo products including finished oil-based and water-based paints are available for sale in our Amazon store. All products can be purchased with a major credit card. For new or small accounts, purchases can be made with a credit card until an open line of credit is established.

Choosing the best pigment for a plastics application can be challenging. Typically, the type of plastic to be molded will determine the particular product. If you cannot determine the best candidate from the website information, please submit a technical request with as much detail as possible and our technical or marketing staff will respond promptly.

DayGlo colors are safe for use in a wide and varied range of applications. Recently, DayGlo introduced two product lines, GloPrill® FDA (fluorescent/compliant) and GemTone FDA (non-fluorescent/approved). They can be used in packaging that comes into direct contact with food and/or beverages.

There are many factors that influence outdoor durability. This includes film thickness, time of year, exposure direction, etc. In general, an ink or coating film of 1-3 millimeters will perform well for at least 30 days under average exposure. The closer to the equator, the shorter the time will be and the farther away, the longer. The use of an overcoat containing a UV absorber will extend that time.

The use of an overcoat containing a UV absorber will maximize the lightfastness of a fluorescent pigment. Mixing it with a small amount of non-fluorescent pigment (<1%) can also enhance the lightfastness. Printing or painting over a conventional color of similar shade will also add perceived longevity to the pigment. Additional information for your particular application can be requested from our technical or marketing teams.

The 215-series paint is an oil-based brushing enamel. The SCR-series paint is an acrylic latex. They are both very similar to conventional colors of these types. Your local paint store or distributor can easily provide an appropriate primer, depending on your particular application. Good painting practices apply to these paints just like they do to conventional paints. To maximize the effectiveness of fluorescent paint, it should be applied over a clean, white surface. Two, light coats should achieve maximum color intensity. Please allow sufficient drying time between coats. Our clear, Filteray (D for 215-series, W for SCR-series) products applied over the paints will protect them and extend their lightfastness. Coverage is approximately 400 sq. ft./gallon depending on coat weight.

DayGlo offers a range of Phantom™ Pigments and Invisible Blue products for all applications. If the proper product cannot be determined from the technical section of the website, please contact our technical or marketing groups for a recommendation.

Our standard technical bulletins are now available on the website. They can be downloaded in .pdf format.

Our analytical laboratory maintains a library of spectrophotometric data on many of our products. Submitting a technical request for a specific product is the best way to receive the appropriate information.

As an ISO9001-2015 registered company we have determined a shelf life for our products beyond which we will not sell them without first re-testing to make sure they still meet our quality control specifications. This “shipping” shelf life is less than the actual useful shelf life of the products so that you will be able to use the products during their normal shelf life. Customer Service can provide information if required.