Quick pick: HIP covers most streets and private property. Choose Diamond Grade when the road is fast or your spec calls for ASTM Type XI. On Yellow, Yellow-Green and Orange signs, Diamond Grade is the fluorescent version of that color. Engineer Grade is the budget choice for private property.
3M™ High Intensity Prismatic (HIP)
ASTM Type IV10-year warrantyStandard nighttime brightness
The industry standard for permanent traffic, regulatory, and parking signs. Truncated cube prismatic technology meets MUTCD minimum retroreflectivity for permanent signage.
Best for: Residential streets, private property, and secondary roads with normal daylight and nighttime conditions.
3M™ Diamond Grade DG3
ASTM Type XI12-year warranty2x nighttime brightness of HIP
Full-cube prismatic technology returns nearly twice the light of HIP. The highest ASTM performance grade, with the longest warranty. Diamond Grade is not offered on Black or Brown.
Best for: Highways, high-speed roads, and any sign your state DOT specs at Type XI.
3M™ DG3 Fluorescent Yellow
ASTM Type XI10-year warranty2x nighttime brightness + daytime fluorescence
Identical nighttime performance to standard DG3, with fluorescent pigment that stays visible in fog, dawn, dusk, and shade. MUTCD permits it in place of standard yellow on any warning sign.
Best for: Curves, intersections, and warning signs at high-crash or low-visibility locations.
3M™ DG3 Fluorescent Yellow-Green
ASTM Type XI10-year warranty2x nighttime brightness + daytime fluorescence
Identical nighttime performance to standard DG3, in the fluorescent yellow-green color the MUTCD designates for school, pedestrian, and bicycle warning signs.
Best for: School zone, pedestrian crossing, and bicycle crossing signs.
3M™ DG3 Fluorescent Orange
ASTM Type XI10-year warranty2x nighttime brightness + daytime fluorescence
Identical nighttime performance to standard DG3, with fluorescent pigment that stays visible in fog, dawn, dusk, and shaded work zones. Most state DOTs now specify fluorescent orange for new work zone installs.
Best for: All construction work zone signs, especially fog-prone or low-light corridors.
EG
3M™ Engineer Grade
ASTM Type I7-year warrantyLower nighttime brightness than HIP
Our budget reflective sheeting. It still shines back at headlights, just not as brightly as the prismatic grades.
Best for: Private property, parking lots, driveways, and low-speed areas. For public roads choose HIP or DG3.
