FEUILLE RETROREFLECHISSANTE ET PROCEDE DE FABRICATION

A retroreflective sheeting has microretroreflective formations on one surface which are partially metallized and partially exposed to the atmosphere about them. It is produced by forming a coating on microprism surface, and this coating includes a thin metallic deposit over substantially the entire surface and a second coating material over only a portion of the surface. The coated surface is then exposed to a solvent to remove the coating from its predominant area and leave the metal deposit on only a minor portion of the area. A backing sheet is then applied over the microprisms and bonded to the retroreflective sheeting so as to leave an air interface about the predominant area of the microprisms. As a result, some light rays are retroreflected by the metal deposit and some are retroreflected by the atmosphere interface. The sheeting exhibits daytime whiteness over the bulk of its surface area.