Engineer Grade Prismatic
Reflective Sheeting
Series 3430 with Pressure Sensitive Adhesive
Description 3M™ Engineer Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series 3430 is a non-metalized microprismatic
lens retroreflective sheeting designed for production of reflective commercial signs and noncritical
traffic control signs that are exposed vertically in service. Series 3430 sheeting can easily be
identified by the visible integral “EGP” marking. When applied to properly prepared sign substrates,
Series 3430 sheeting provides long-term reflectivity and durability. Series 3430 sheeting is available
in the following colors.
Color Product Code
White 3430
Yel low 3431
Red 3432
Blue 3435
Green 3437
Brown 3439
Sign Fabrication
Methods
Application
Series 3430 sheeting incorporates a pressure sensitive adhesive and should be applied to the sign
substrate at temperature of 65°F/18°C or higher by any of the following methods:
Mechanical squeeze roll applicator – Reference Information Folder 1.4.
Hand squeeze roll applicator — Reference Information Folder 1.6.
Hand application is recommended for copy only. See Information Folder 1.5.
All direct applied copy and border MUST be cut at all panel seams and squeegeed at the joint.
Splices
Series 3430 sheeting must be butt spliced when more than one piece of sheeting is used on one piece
of substrate. The sheeting pieces should not touch each other. This is to prevent buckling as the
sheeting expands when subject to extreme temperature and/or high humidity levels.
Double Faced Signs
The sheeting on the bottom side of a double faced sign can be damaged if rolled through a squeeze
roll applicator with an unprotected steel bottom roller. The use of a semi-soft flat sheet between the
steel roller and the applied sign face will provide protection from damage. A material such as a rubber
mat, tag board or cardboard is recommended.
Replaces Product Bulletin 3430 dated July 2009
Product Bulletin 3430-U.S. October 2013
Substrates For traffic sign use, substrates found to be most reliable and durable are properly prepared aluminum
sheets and extrusions. Users are urged to carefully evaluate all other substrates for adhesion and sign
durability. Other substrates that may be satisfactory for proper application of sheeting will have the
following characteristics:
• Clean
• Smooth
• Flat
• Rigid
• Dimensionally stable
• Weather resistant
• Non-porous
• High surface energy (passes water break test)
Refer to Information Folder 1.7 for surface preparation recommendations. Substrates with low surface
energy may require additional preparation such as flame treatment, mechanical abrasion or use of
adhesion promoters prior to sheeting application.
Engineer grade prismatic sheeting is designed primarily for applications to flat substrates. Any use
that requires a radius of curvature of less than five inches should also be supported by rivets or bolts.
Plastic substrates are not recommended where cold shock performance is required. Sign failures
caused by the substrate or improper surface preparation are not the responsibility of 3M.
Screen Processing Engineer grade prismatic sheeting may be screen processed into traffic signs before or after mounting
on a sign substrate, using 3M™ Process Colors Series 880I or Series 880N. Series 880I or 880N
process colors can be screened at 60–100ºF (16–38ºC) at relative humidity of 20–50%. A PE 157
screen mesh with a fill pass is recommended. Refer to Information Folder 1.8 for details. Clear
coating is not required or recommended. Use of other process colors series is not recommended. Care
should be taken to avoid flexing series 3430 sheeting before and especially after screening to
eliminate the possibility of cracking from improper handling techniques.
For screenprinted areas on white sheeting when processed according to 3M recommendations, the
coefficients of retroreflection shall not be less than 70% of the value for the corresponding color in
Table A. The color chromaticity and luminance shall conform to Table B.
Cutting and Matching Engineer grade prismatic sheeting may be cut into letters and shapes of at least three inches in height
and stroke widths of at least one half inch. Smaller sizes are not recommended. Sealing cut edges of
Series 3430 sheeting is not required.
Plotter Cutting
Programmable knife cut (electronic cutting)
1. Flat bed plotters can either die cut or kiss cut and offer the most consistent and reliable
performance.
2. Friction fed plotter. Kiss cut only. Success has been achieved using plotters that have 600 grams
of down force and a 60º cutting blade. Additional drive wheels may need to be added to improve
tracking. An alternative procedure is to cut sheeting from the liner side. Blade force and knife
depth must be set to score but not cut through the topfilm. Break apart individual copy or apply
premask to retain spacing.
Other Cutting Methods
Engineer grade prismatic sheeting may be hand cut or die cut one sheet at a time, and band sawed or
guillotined in stacks. Cutting equipment such as guillotines and metal shears, which have pressure
plates on the sheeting when cutting, may damage the optics. Padding the pressure plate and easing it
down onto the sheets being cut will significantly reduce damage. Maximum stack height for cutting
series 3430 sheeting is one and a half inch or 50 sheets. Details on cutting can be found in Information
Folder 1.10.
3
Cleaning Signs that require cleaning should be flushed with water, then washed with a detergent solution
and a soft bristle brush or sponge. Avoid pressure that may damage the sign face. Flush with water
following washing. Do not use solvents to clean signs. See Information Folder 1.10.
Storage and
Packaging
3M™ Engineer Grade Prismatic Sheeting should be stored in a cool, dry area, preferably at 65–75ºF
(18–24ºC) and 30–50% relative humidity and should be applied within one year of purchase. Rolls
should be stored horizontally in the shipping carton. Partially used rolls should be returned to the
shipping carton or suspended horizontally from a rod or pipe through the core. Unprocessed sheets
should be stored flat. Finished signs and applied blanks should be stored on edge.
Screen processed signs must be protected with SCW 568 slipsheet paper. Place the glossy side of the
slipsheet against the sign face. Double faced signs must have the glossy side of the slipsheet against
each face of the sign.
Unmounted screened faces must be stored flat and interleaved with SCW 568 slipsheet, glossy side
against the sign face.
Avoid banding, crating, or stacking signs. Package for shipment in accordance with commercially
accepted standards to prevent movement and chafing. Store sign packages indoors on edges.
Panels or finished signs must remain dry during shipment and storage. If packaged signs become
wet, unpack immediately and allow signs to dry. Refer to Information Folder 1.11 for instructions on
packing for storage and shipment.
Installation Nylon washers are required when twist style fasteners are used to mount the sign.
Health and Safety
Information
Read all health hazard, precautionary and first aid statements found in the Material Safety Data Sheet,
and/or product label of chemicals prior to handling or use.
General Performance
Considerations
Minimum coefficient of retroreflection, chromaticity limits, and daytime luminance factor (Y%) for
the engineer grade prismatic sheeting series 3430 are given in Table A and Table B, respectively.
Durability Considerations
The durability of 3M™ Engineer Grade Prismatic Sheeting and finished signs using 3M’s matched
component materials (Table C) will depend upon substrate selection and preparation, compliance
with recommended application procedures, geographic area, exposure conditions, and maintenance.
Maximum durability of series 3430 can be expected in applications subject to vertical exposure
on stationary objects when processed and applied to properly prepared aluminum according to 3M
recommendations. Periodic sign inspection and regular sign replacement are strongly recommended
in order for sign owners to establish their own effective service life expectation beyond any durability
warranty, if provided.
Substrate Considerations
The user must determine the suitability of any nonmetallic sign backing for its intended use. Substrate
manufacturer recommendations for preparation should be followed as well as guidance provided in
Information Folder 1.7. Applications to unprimed, excessively rough or non-weather resistant surfaces
can shorten the performance of such applications. Sign failures caused by the substrate or
improper surface preparation are not the responsibility of 3M.
Exposure Considerations
Exposure to severe or unusual conditions can shorten the performance of such applications. Signs in
mountainous areas that are covered by snow for prolonged periods may also have reduced durability.
Atmospheric conditions in certain geographic areas may result in reduced durability.
Custom Process Colors Considerations
Custom colors, certain lighter colors, heavily toned color or blends containing yellow or gold may
have reduced durability.
4
General Performance
Considerations
(Continued)
Table A — Minimum Coefficient of Retroreflection
Candelas/Foot Candle/Square Foot
Candelas/Lux/Square Meter
Obs. Angle1Ent. Angle2White Yel low Red Green Blue Brown
0.2 -4 70 50 14.5 9.0 4.0 2.0
0.2 +30 30 22 6.0 3.5 1.7 1.0
0.5 -4 30 25 7.5 4.5 2.0 1.0
0.5 +30 15 13 3.0 2.2 0.8 0.5
Reflectivity conforms to ASTM D 4956.
1Observation Angle — The angle between the illumination axis and the observation axis.
2Entrance Angle — The angle from the illumination axis to the retroreflector axis. The retroreflector
axis is an axis perpendicular to the retroreflective surface.
Table B — CIE Chromaticity Coordinate Limits
Color x y x y x y x y Reflectance Limit (Y)
Min Max
White .303 .300 .368 .366 .340 .393 .274 .329 27.0
Yel low .498 .412 .557 .442 .479 .520 .438 .472 15.0 45.0
Red .648 .351 .735 .265 .629 .281 .565 .346 2.5 12.0
Blue .140 .035 .244 .210 .190 .255 .065 .216 1.0 10.0
Green .026 .399 .166 .364 .286 .446 .207 .771 3.5 9.0
Brown .430 .340 .610 .390 .550 .450 .430 .390 4.0 9.0
Table C — Matched Component Materials
Matched Components
Process Colors Series 880I
Process Colors Series 880N
Premium Protective Overlay Film Series 1160
Slipsheet SCW 568
Prespacing Tape SCPS-2
Premasking Tape SCPM-3
Transfer Tape TPM-5
3M Basic Warranty
and Limited Remedy
3M™ Engineer Grade Prismatic Reflective Sheeting Series 3430 (“Product”) is warranted to be free
of defects in materials and manufacture at the time of shipment and to meet the specifications stated
in this Product Bulletin. If the product is proven not to have met the Basic Warranty on its shipment
date, then a buyer’s exclusive remedy, and 3M’s sole obligation, at 3M’s option, will be refund or
replacement of the sheeting.
Limitation of Liability
and Remedies
3M WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE TO A BUYER FOR DIRECT
(other than the applicable Limited Remedy stated above), SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF
PROFITS) IN ANY WAY RELATED TO A PRODUCT OR THIS PRODUCT BULLETIN,
REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY ON WHICH SUCH DAMAGES
AR E SOUGHT.
3M assumes no responsibility for any injury, loss or damage arising out of the use of a product that is not of our manufacture. Where reference
is made in literature to a commercially available product, made by another manufacturer, it shall be the user’s responsibility to ascertain the
precautionary measures for its use outlined by the manufacturer.
Important Notice
All statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests we believe to be reliable, but the accuracy
or completeness thereof is not guaranteed, and the following is made in lieu of all warranties, or conditions express or implied. Seller’s and
manufacturer’s only obligation shall be to replace such quantity of the product proved to be defective. Neither seller nor manufacturer shall be
liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct, special or consequential, arising out of the use of or the inability to use the product. Before using, user
shall determine the suitability of the product for his/her intended use, and user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith.
Statements or recommendations not contained herein shall have no force or effect unless in an agreement signed by officers of seller and
manufacturer.
3M is a trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada.
Traffic Safety and Security Division
3M Center, Building 0235-3A-09
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
1-800-553-1380
www.3M.com/roadwaysafety
3M Canada Company
P.O. Box 5757
London, Ontario N6A 4T1
3M México, S.A. de C.V.
Av. Santa Fe No. 55
Col. Santa Fe, Del. Alvaro Obregón
México, D.F. 01210
Please recycle.
© 3M 2013. All rights reserved.
FOR INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE
CALL: 1-800-553-1380
IN CANADA CALL:
1-800-265-1840
Internet:
www.3M.com/roadwaysafety
Literature Reference Information Folder 1.4 Instructions for Squeeze Roll Applicator
Product Bulletin 880I 3M™ Process Color Series 880I
Product Bulletin 880N 3M™ Process Color Series 880N
Information Folder 1.5 Hand Application Instructions
Information Folder 1.6 Instructions for Hand Squeeze Roll Applicator
Information Folder 1.7 Sign Base Surface Preparation
Information Folder 1.8 Process Color Instructions
Information Folder 1.10 Cutting, Matching, Premasking, and Prespacing Instructions
Information Folder 1.11 Sign Maintenance Management
