FAQs
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ABOUT PHOTOLUMINESCENCE |
What is the meaning of Luminescence?Luminescent material absorbs energy and emits this as light. This can happen either immediately or over a period of time. This light emission, or excitation energy, is called luminescence and does not contribute to the thermal energy of the compound. |
What is the meaning of Fluorescence?Fluorescence is the light emitted from a material when it is exposed to exciting energy or electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. Fluorescence has many practical applications, including mineralogy, gemology, chemical sensors or fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescent labelling, dyes, biological detectors, cosmic-ray detection, and, most commonly, fluorescent lamps. Fluorescence also occurs frequently in nature in some minerals and in various biological states in many branches of the animal kingdom. |
What is the meaning of Phosphorescence?Phosphorescence is the glow in the dark light or afterglow that can be detected by the human eye after the cessation of excitation. |
What is the meaning of Lumens?Lumens is the unit of luminous flux in the International System of Units, equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one candela intensity radiating equally in all directions. Used to measure light bulbs as standalone light sources while lighting fixtures are measured by Lux output, also known as lumens per square meter. |
What is the meaning of Lux?Typically used to measure the light intensity produced by a lighting fixture. The higher the Lux reading the more light the lighting fixture is producing over a given area. Also known as lumens per square meter. |
What is the meaning of Brightness?Brightness is another expression for the photometric term “luminance”. It describes the emitted luminous intensity per unit area of a light source in millicandella per square meter or foot-lamberts (1mcd/m2 = 0.2919 mft. L. ) |
What is the meaning of Luminous Intensity?Luminous Intensity given in candela (cd) is that portion of the luminous flux emitted in a particular direction. |
What is the meaning of Luminous Flux?Luminous flux in the visible spectral range is radiant power rated according to its ability to produce visual sensation in the human eye. The unit is the lumen (lm). |
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS |
What is the meaning of DIN 67510?German norm DIN 67510-1: Photoluminescent pigments and products - Part 1: Measurement and marking at the producer Part 1 of DIN 67510 lays down the methods of measuring the afterglow pigments and products and in addition the way of representing or characterizing the measured values. The characterization is carried out by means of symbols such as 28.0 / 3.6 - 520 / w - k. 28.0 = luminance in mcd/m2, 10 min. after the end of excitation 3.6 = luminance in mcd/m2, 60 min. after the end of excitation 520 = time in minutes from the end of stimulation after which the luminance has fallen to 0.3 mcd/m2 (=100 times the limit of visibility) w = perceived color at stimulation (white) k = perceived color of the afterglow (green) Part 2 of DIN 67510 is to be employed when measuring the properties of long- afterglow products at the place of their application. Part 3 of the standard contains minimum requirements in terms of design to be met by safety guiding systems using long- afterglow products. Part 4 of the standard lays down the minimum luminance values as well as more extensive application-related requirements for individual long-afterglow products. |
Which standards are known for photoluminescence safety signs?German DIN 67510 Part 1 : Specifies testing conditions to the afterglow brightness Part 2 : Defines equipment and testing conditions at testing on site Part 3 : Rules for design of a phosphorescent way guidance system Part 4 : Specifies minimum requirements to phosphorescent safety signs (width, graphical symbols, colour, afterglow brightness, durability)
American Standards ASTM Committee E12.13 Photoluminescent Safety Markings - Specifies minimum acceptable luminance values to qualify a material as a safety marking. ASTM E 2073-00 - Describes in detail how to test photoluminescent markings to obtain repeatable luminance results. ASTM E 2030-99 - Describes recommended uses and gives information about photoluminescent safety markings as floor and wall mounted markings.
International Maritime Organization IMO Resolution A752.18 - Published in 1993 by the International Maritime Organization, requiring low-location lighting on board passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers.
American Public Transit Association APTA SS-PS-002-98 Rev.1 - Standard for emergency signage for egress/access of passenger rail equipment. APTA SS-PS-004-99 - Standard for low-location exit path marking published by the American Public Transit Association.
Japanese Standards Association JIS-Z9107: 1998 - Available from Japanese Standards Association, Tokyo, Japan.
UL 924 Latest revision from July 11, 2001 allows photoluminescent high performance EXIT signs that fulfill UL's new, stringent requirements. |
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PHOTOLUMINESCENT PIGMENTS & THEIR APPLICATIONS |
What are glow crystals?Glow crystals are actually called phosphorescent or photoluminescent material. It is the basis of just about every glow in the dark product. They come in powder form, absorb light, and then re-emit it over a period of time. This powdery substance absorbs light and then re-emits it over a length of time. This occurs when electrons absorb energy in the presence of light and move up to a higher orbit. In the absence of light energy, these same electrons fall from a higher energy level to a more stable energy level. When this occurs, they emit energy in the form of visible light. No chemical reaction actually occurs. |
Are your products radioactive?A common misconception of the use of our products is that they are radioactive. This is not the case, and our products are non-toxic, environmentally safe and meet established international standards including the following: DIN 67510 PARTS 1 and 2 - Deutsches Institut fr Normung e. V. (Germany) U/L 924 - Underwriters Laboratories (USA) BRANZ - Building Research Association of New Zealand IMO - International Maritime Organization; ISO - International Organization for Standardization |
Are your glow pigments safe for kids?Yes, our glow pigments are non-toxic, non-radioactive & environmentally friendly. |
What can I do with the pigments?The potential applications are as wide as your imagination. Our pigments can be incorporated into both solvent and aqueous based mediums and are suitable in a wide variety of applications and can be used on clothing, shoes, caps, watches, novelties, fishing lures, and other sporting goods. Our pigments can be incorporated into a variety of transparent resins & binders including, but not limited to, the following: 1) Acrylic resin |
Can I add it to soap and other skin products?Our pigments have been tested safe for prolonged skin contact. As with any chemical product, there is always the chance of skin irritation, so please apply to a small area first. |
What is the pigment's composition?Our pigments are made from naturally occurring rare-earth mineral crystals. |
How much do I need?Glow crystals to medium ratio varies depending on the medium used, process and application. Recommended pigment content is 15% to 40% by weight, dependent on the glow desired. If the surface or medium is a color other than white, you may need to add more pigment to achieve the desired results. |
Can different kinds of glow crystals be mixed to create a different color?We are afraid not. Each type has been formulated to glow a certain color and mixing them will not result in a different color pigment. |
How do I charge the glow crystals?Our glow crystals respond best to light sources high in ultraviolet rays (UV). Examples of high UV light sources include sunlight, black light lamps and halogen lamps. Household bulbs will take longer as their UV output is low. Fluorescent lamps, which are high in UV, will charge faster. |
How many times can you charge it?Our glow crystals can be charged repeatedly and without deterioration in glow brightness and duration. |
Will sunlight ruin the glow crystals?Our glow crystals are very stable and can last many years under the sun, provided that they are encapsulated in a suitable medium to protect them from the elements. |
What amounts do the glow crystals come in?Our products are available in 100gm, 500gm and 1kg packs. Please contact us for wholesale pricing for orders over 100 kgs. |
Is first aid treatment required for improper handling?Although our pigments are non-toxic and environmentally safe, eye goggles, dust masks and gloves are recommended when handling. They may cause irritation of the nose, throat, eyes & skin. Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet included with your purchase for additional safety information. |
How does your products compare to the others?Ours glow brighter and last longer. The brightest and longest glow. Anywhere. |
Do your products have an odor?Our glow crystals are odorless while our film and board are made of plastic and will have a slight plastic odor. |
What are the differences between the different kinds of glow crystals?All glow-in-the-dark products contain phosphors. A phosphor is a substance that radiates visible light after being energized. The two places where we most commonly see phosphors are in a TV screen or computer monitor and in fluorescent lights. In a TV screen, an electron beam strikes the phosphor to energize it. In a fluorescent light, ultraviolet light energizes the phosphor. In both cases, what we see is visible light. Photoluminescent glow-in-the-dark crystals absorbs light and then re-emits it over a length of time. This occurs when electrons absorb energy in the presence of light and move up to a higher orbit. In the absence of light energy, these same electrons fall from a higher energy level to a more stable energy level. When this occurs, they emit energy in the form of visible light. No chemical reaction actually occurs. Our photoluminescent glow in the dark crystals are derived from non-radioactive natural rare earth minerals that possess the unique capacity to absorb and store energy from ambient light. In darkness, the crystals instantly begin to emit a luminous glow by releasing the stored light energy. They are utilized primarily in safety grade commercial products such as signs and emergency egress guidance systems. They are recognized as the essential ingredient for the satisfactory performance of photoluminescent safety products. |
How long and bright do your glow crystals actually glow?The glow ranges from 8 to over 24 hours depending on type, but how well you see the glow depends upon a number of factors. If there is ambient light, your eyes will have a tendency to adjust for that ambient light. If your eyes are not well adjusted to the dark, you may have trouble seeing the glow. If you get up in the middle of the night and walk into a dark room with the powder, you will see it very well. If you come from outside on a sunny day and walk into the same room, the glow will be very bright but you will not see the glow until my eyes adjust to the darkness. We have made it easy for you to evaluate the brightness of our products. Our products range in initial brightness from * to *****. A cyalume glow stick like those they sell to children at festivals glows at about ****. Therefore, our premium grade pigments which is rated near at ***** is brighter than the brightness of a cyalume glow stick when charged with a bright light. For simplicity and ease, each product detail on our site includes a brightness rating. When you take a glow in the dark product away from a source of light, it will slowly release the light that it has captured. As time passes, it will get dimmer, until it is again recharged. The speed at which it dims is different for each of our products. Generally, glow products loose the initial brightness rather quickly. But they continue to glow at some level for many hours, and in some cases, days. Our photoluminescent products have been scientifically tested to emit light for up to 21 days in laboratory conditions. |
When mixing into resins, which factors affecting brightness are known?Brightness depends on: |
Which chemical and physical factors affecting the light fastness are known?Light fastness depends on the total system, not on the glow crystals alone. Factors involved include: 1) Loading content |
Do you offer wholesale pricing?Yes, we offer wholesale pricing for orders over 100 kgs. Please contact us for further details. |
Why use Shop.GlowStop.Com?Natural light-storing rare-earth mineral crystals form the basis of Shop.GlowStop.Com's photoluminescent products. These crystals are non-radioactive, toxic-free and harmless, and can be recharged an infinite number of times. They are of the highest quality with excellent afterglow effects, acknowledged to be among the best and brightest in the industry. Unlike electric and battery powdered products, GlowStop.com’s photoluminescent products: Unlike radioactive tritium products, Shop.GlowStop.Com’s premium photoluminescent products: |
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PHOTOLUMINESCENT PAINTS |
Can the glow crystals be used for making paint?Yes, suggested mediums include any clear enamel or acrylic based lacquer or polyurethane. Up to 40:60 pigment to paint ratio is possible. Multiple coats will increase the afterglow effect. |
What can I do with the paint?You can do practically anything with glow in the dark paints. Try making a glow mural, glowing car, glowing in the dark tackle, glow models, or even touch up the hands of a watch or clocking. Check out our image board for more ideas! |
How can I improve the paint's performance?Priming the target surface with a white background first will assist in optimizing the glow effect. Furthermore, using a clear resin or paint as the medium is recommended. |
How do I charge the paint?Glow paint responds best to light sources rich in UV rays such as sunlight, black lamps and halogen lamps. Tungsten lamps (typical household bulbs) take longer to recharge the pigment because their UV output is low. Fluorescent lamps, which are rich in UV, provide faster excitation. Sunlight or UV light/backlight – less than 1 minute Normal light – less than 10 minute Sunlight is the best source for charging the products, but practically any light source will do. Black light is also a good provider of UV light. |
What is the area that can be covered?This depends on a variety of factors such as the type of medium used, the viscosity of the medium, type of glow crystals used, the glow crystals loading content and the glow brightness desired. As a general guideline, at a 40:60 glow crystal to resin ratio, one kilogram of resin and glow crystals mixture would cover approximately 1.6 sq meters with a thickness of dry paint film at about 100um or 0.1mm. |
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ABOUT FLUORESCENCE |
What is the meaning of Fluorescence?Fluorescence is the light emitted from a material when it is exposed to exciting energy or electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. Fluorescence has many practical applications, including mineralogy, gemology, chemical sensors or fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescent labelling, dyes, biological detectors, cosmic-ray detection, and, most commonly, fluorescent lamps. Fluorescence also occurs frequently in nature in some minerals and in various biological states in many branches of the animal kingdom. |
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FLUORESCENT PIGMENTS & THEIR APPLICATIONS |
What are fluorescent pigments?Fluorescent pigments are a type of coloring ingredient that absorbs and reflects light. 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. |
What is the difference between Fluorescent and Phosphorescent?Fluorescent pigments converts light to a dominant wavelength or color. Without a light source, there is no color. Phosphorescent materials, on the other hand, store energy and re-emit it when the light source is removed. They are, therefore, visible in the dark for a period of time. |
Do your fluorescent pigments respond to blacklight?All of our products respond to blacklight or UV light. |
How many types of fluorescent products are available?We have a complete range of premium fluorescent pigments to suit a wide variety of coloring needs and requirements. We have products designed for use in coatings, inks, paints, plastics, as well as in safety and markings applications. |
Could you please explain the nomenclature used to classify your fluorescent products?The names of our fluorescent products have been designed to ease product and application usage identification: Example GTPRINT-103-ORANGE
* Sample Shade Indicator Chart |
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ORDERING |
How can I pay for my order?You may pay for your order by credit card. We currently accept payments by major credit cards through PayPal. You can be confident that your personal and account information is secure. Our credit card processing companies employ the latest 128-bit encryption technology. No sensitive information such as credit card numbers and its details are stored anywhere on this website. |
What is GlowStop.com Safe Shopping Guarantee?Our safe shopping guarantee means that you never have to worry about the security of your credit card information when shopping at GlowStop.com. We guarantee that every transaction you make at GlowStop.com will be safe. |
Do I have to pay Sales Tax on my order?Your order will be subject to the relevant taxes and fees as determined by your country's customs authorities. |
How do I order if I live outside New Zealand?Simply add items to your shopping cart and follow the easy directions to check out. |
Will I receive an Order Confirmation?Shortly after your order is placed our system will automatically send you Order Confirmation via email. (If you do not receive an order confirmation within 24 hours, please contact our Customer Services Department via email customerservices@glotechint.com. Once your order has shipped we will send you a Shipping Confirmation email that will provide you with instructions on how to Track Your Order through our website. |
Does GlowStop.com offer quantity discounts?Yes we do. Plesae contact us for orders over 100kgs. |
How do I cancel or modify my order?You may cancel or modify an order once it has been placed and before it has been shipped. If you are unable to cancel or modify your order, please remember that our products are fully guaranteed and you may return them, no questions asked, for a full merchandise credit. |
Can I purchase GlowStop.com's photoluminescent paint by the ounces?Due to shipping restrictions, we recommend that our glow crystals be incorporated onsite and applied directly to the surfaces concerned. Before application, a white primer background is recommended for best glow effect. Mixing with clear mediums give the best glow and recommendations include clear enamel or acrylic based lacquer or polyurethane. A 15% to 40% glow crystals to clear medium ratio is recommended. A higher ratio of crystals in the medium will cause the mixture to glow brighter. Multiple coats will increase the glow effect. |
How and where do you ship?We ship worldwide and offer a few shipping options to choose from during checkout. |
How much is shipping?Shipping charges are determined by the merchandise dollar amount of your order before any deductions, the shipping method you chose, and your shipping address. Charges are calculated before taxes. |
What currency are prices in?All prices quoted are in US dollars. |
When will I receive my order?Estimated shipping times are listed during to the checkout process. |
Is shopping at GlowStop.com safe?Yes, we use industry standard software to secure all data. |
Do I need to pay any taxes or customs duties?It depends. The purchase price for your order displayed at checkout is not inclusive of any tax and customs duty. You may be required to pay an additional amount for customs clearance and/or duty, based on the total cost/value of your order, at the destination country. All additional charges such as levies, duties, import fees, taxes and other applicable fees that may be imposed must be borne by the recipient. We regret that we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. We strongly suggest that you check with your local government agency to determine the extent of such charges. Please note we are not in a position to issue credit for customs/import duties paid, or for international packages which are refused, abandoned, or where packages are not delivered due to non-payment of customs duties. This can be found on our Policies page. |
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RETURNS & EXCHANGES |
What Is Your Returns Policy?We guarantee our products to be of the highest quality available and we stand behind every product that we sell. Any item that does not meet your expectations may be returned for a full credit or refund of the original purchase price within 30 days of receipt of goods, less shipping and handling. We do not accept returns of: Please do not send us product(s) that do not meet the return criteria listed above, as we do not issue refunds for non-qualifying items and cannot return the items to you. |
What Is Your Exchange Policy?If your shipment from GlowStop.com includes an incorrect item or an item that is defective or damaged in shipping, you may return it to us within 30 days, and we will replace it at no cost to you. Please note that we can make exchanges only for the exact item you ordered; we cannot exchange one product for another. |
How Do I Return Something for an Exchange or Refund?To return a product: 1. Send an e-mail to us at customerservices@glotechint.com If you are returning an item for a refund, you can expect to receive your refund within 7 to 14 business days of our receipt of your return. If you paid for your order by credit card, we will credit your card promptly. If you are returning an incorrect, damaged, or defective item for an exchange, we will ship the replacement to you, at our expense, via the same method you selected when you placed your order. Generally, exchanges are processed within 2 to 3 business days. If the item that you wish replaced is not in stock, we will issue you a refund for the cost of the item and associated shipping and handling costs. |
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CONTACTING US |
Getting in touchBy Email By Post Mail GloTech International Corporate Headquarters Rights and Permissions |
